Manal Ataya is a museum professional with nearly 20 years of expertise in museum development, cultural heritage management and cultural diplomacy.
In 2006, Manal Ataya was appointed as the founding Deputy Director of the Sharjah Museums Authority, established by the His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. During her two-year tenure, she played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for the organization’s growth and success and was later promoted to the position of Director General in 2008.
As the Director General of the Sharjah Museums Authority, Manal Ataya led a diverse team of over 700 staff, overseeing operations annd programming across Sharjah’s extensive network of 16 museums. These museums encompass a wide range of dedicated collections, including modern and contemporary Arab art, Islamic art, Gulf heritage, science, marine life, and UAE archaeology.
In June 2023, Manal Ataya embarked on a new role as the Advisor for Museums to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and will provide support and expertise in strategic planning, cultural policy making, and the development of new museum projects.
Ataya was awarded the Order of Arts & Letters by the Republic of France in 2018 and the Order of Merit from the Republic of Germany in 2022 in recognition of her significant contributions to culture.