Empowering Communities through Pop-Up Exhibitions: A Case Study of the Portal to Al Zubarah Pop-Up Exhibition in Qatar

Pop-up exhibitions can effectively empower local communities and amplify underrepresented voices while strengthening collaboration between institutions and the public. This was demonstrated by the 'Portal to Al Zubarah' initiative, a mobile exhibition that engaged Qatar's community with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Al Zubarah. The study found that such pop-ups serve as powerful tools for participatory heritage interpretation, fostering inclusive design and institutional learning. Researchers used visitor questionnaires, interviews, and peer reviews to assess the impact, revealing that these exhibitions bridge gaps between cultural institutions and communities, enhancing collective engagement with heritage.

Ziani, A. (2026). Empowering Communities through Pop-Up Exhibitions: A Case Study of the Portal to Al Zubarah Pop-Up Exhibition in Qatar. Journal of Museum Education, 51(1), 129–140. https://doi.org/10.1080/10598650.2025.2587457