This year, Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) is marking the International Museum Day with free entry on 18^th May to its museums across the emirate.

SMA will also be hosting a virtual session on May 18 that will discuss the future of Sharjah’s museums and tourism scene amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

Titled ‘The Future of Museums Recover and Reimagine (Real and Virtual Challenges)’ the panel discussion will see the participation of Crisis and Disaster Management Department – Sharjah Police Headquarters; Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) and SMA represented by Sharjah Art Museum.

The virtual session will kick off with a brief about the key role of Sharjah’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and its collaboration with cultural and tourism authorities for better implementation of safety procedures during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, SCTDA will talk about its efforts taken to boost tourism in the emirate of Sharjah despite global challenges.

During the last session, SMA will discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on museums and its activities.

It will showcase its experience of digitally transforming exhibitions and programs across most museums under its umbrella in response to the changes that forced numerous venues to close for public.

Available in Arabic with instant translation to English, the virtual session targets University of Sharjah students and cultural and tourism sectors/entities from across the UAE.

Interested individuals can join the virtual session by registering via SMA’s website https://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/

Since 1977, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) has celebrated the International Museum Day, with each year focusing on a different theme that highlights museum issues in today’s society, with this year’s theme focused at “The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine”.