The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) continues to strengthen its cultural and social role within Omani society through its community outreach initiatives, most notably the Open Doors programme.
Designed to extend access to music and theatre beyond the opera house, the programme delivers performances and educational activities to individuals and communities who may not otherwise be able to attend live events, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to inclusion and social engagement.
Launched two years ago, Open Doors highlights the unifying power of the arts and their ability to create meaningful connections.
Over this period, the initiative has engaged with a wide range of partners and beneficiaries, including Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, the Social Welfare Home in Al Rustaq, the Child Care Centre, the Association of Early Intervention and Al Masarra Hospital. These collaborations reflect the programme’s broad reach and its lasting social impact.
Umberto Fanni, Director General of the Royal Opera House Muscat, stated: “Open Doors reflects our commitment to making the arts accessible and to using music and theatre as tools for connection and inclusion within the wider community”.
As part of the programme, the Royal Opera House Muscat recently collaborated with the National Autism Centre of the Ministry of Social Development to present the IN/AUT Theatre Lab for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This initiative represents an important step towards enhancing opportunities for children with autism spectrum disorder and supporting their integration into society through creative expression.
The workshops were led by Aleksandra Di Capua and Andrea Tamagnini of the Bradipoteatar San Marino Theatre Company and took place at the centre from December 14 to 18.
The sessions fostered non-verbal communication, creativity, emotional expression and psychological calm, complementing the centre’s therapeutic programmes and supporting participants’ social development.
Nadia al Ajmi, Director of the National Autism Centre, praised the collaboration, describing it as “a crucial step towards achieving comprehensive social and cultural inclusion for individuals with autism spectrum disorder” and emphasised the role of art in building communication and empowering individuals.
Beyond external partnerships, many of the Royal Opera House Muscat’s Education and Outreach activities are delivered in-house.
These include initiatives such as Omani Sign Language interpretation and tailored educational programming, all designed to “open the doors” wider for the deaf community and other audiences, reinforcing the spirit of inclusivity at the heart of the programme.
This ongoing collaboration has also led to joint Musical Theatre initiatives and international expert-led programmes that support both the humanitarian arts sector and rehabilitation efforts.
In a previous collaboration marking World Autism Awareness Day, the National Autism Centre hosted an exhibition of artworks created by children with autism spectrum disorder.
Operating under the auspices of Her Highness The Honourable Lady Assayida Ahd Abdullah Hamed al Busaidi, Spouse of the Sultan of Oman, the National Autism Centre provides comprehensive rehabilitation and therapeutic services extending into adulthood, with the aim of empowering individuals with autism spectrum disorder to achieve independence and meaningful integration into society.
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