Sharjah is adding a new landmark to its cultural map with the planned launch of The Irthi Museum, expected to open in the Creative Quarter in 2029. The project will become the region's first museum dedicated to contemporary crafts, with a permanent collection drawn from across the Gulf.
Designed to honor both heritage and innovation, the museum will showcase practices such as weaving, woodworking, glassmaking, and embroidery while also supporting research and the creation of new craft forms. The goal is to present craft not as a static tradition, but as a living field shaped by evolving ideas and techniques.
The initiative is led by the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, which was established in 2016. Since then, the council has expanded training opportunities for Emirati craftswomen through its Bidwa Social Development Program, helping artisans develop skills in local techniques including safeefah, faroukha, and talli embroidery.
Sharjah's wider Creative Quarter is also taking shape near the American University of Sharjah, with plans for institutions such as Qasimi Archives, Sharjah Fashion Lab, Sharjah Design Centre, and a local branch of L'École, School of Jewelry Arts. Together, these spaces point to a growing ecosystem for design, learning, and cultural exchange.
As the project advances, it may help position Sharjah as a future-facing hub where craftsmanship, education, and contemporary culture meet.
