Sharjah Museums Authority

The name Al Sharjah refers to light and sunrise, and the emirate has been a beacon of knowledge and culture, living up to its name where light is tied to seeking knowledge.

Sharjah served as Capital of Islamic Culture in 2014, but before that, in 1998, Unesco recognised it as the cultural capital of the Arab world. The emirate has 19 museums, 662 mosques, an annual international book fair, which started in 1982, and the Sharjah Biennial.

The Sharjah Museums Authority was established in 2006 by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, as an independent government department with a great vision to become a cultural beacon that enhances Sharjah’s identity locally and internationally and contributes to nurturing a community aware of these museums’ importance as cultural, educational and enjoyable destinations.

The Sharjah Museums Authority‘s mission is to deliver the highest museum standards to preserve collections & enhance an appreciation of culture and learning through our exhibitions, educational and community programs. The Sharjah Museums Authority comprises 16 institutions:
Al Eslah School Museum, Al Mahatta Museum, Bait AL Naboodah, Bait Sheikh Saeed Bin Hamad Al Qasimi in Kalba, Majlis Al Midfa,Sharjah Aquarium, Sharjah Archaeology Museum, Sharjah Art Museum, Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, Sharjah Classic Cars Museum, Sharjah Discovery Centre, Sharjah Heritage Museum, Sharjah Fort, Sharjah Maritime Museum, Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization and Sharjah Science Museum.

The Sharjah Museums Authority has a large variety of educational activities, including school, academic, accessibility and community programmes.