The modern Qatari art movement emerged in the mid-20th century, as a result of the new-found wealth acquired from oil exports and the subsequent modernization of Qatari society. Due to Islam's non-inclusive stance of depictions of sentient beings in visual arts, traditional figurative art was not a feature of Qatari art, which focused on other visual art forms and crafts such as weaving, calligraphy, dhow ornamentation, and architecture.

Qatar's artistic identity began expanding in the mid-20th century with the introduction of formal visual arts education and the emergence of a local community of painters and sculptors. Since the early 2000s, state institutions such as Qatar Museums have played a primary role in the arts, commissioning public artworks, and hosting international exhibitions. Doha's museums, galleries, and festivals have positioned it as a regional center for art.

Historically, figurative art was not a feature of Qatari society due to restrictions placed by Islamic traditions, and as a result, illustrative art forms such as paintings and drawings were rare. Instead, other visual art forms such as architecture, calligraphy and textiles were more highly valued. However, during the oil boom in the 1950s and 1960s, figurative art began to gain popularity, with common themes focusing on Islamic and Arabic heritage.

The Ministry of Education played a significant role in promoting art education in the 1950s by integrating it into the school curriculum and providing facilities for art workshops. In this vein, the ministry developed plans and programs to improve art teaching methods. Additionally, it organized both local and national art exhibitions and provided educational resources such as films showcasing famous artists' works and various artistic techniques. Art education textbooks focusing on art appreciation, art history, and teaching methods were also introduced to teacher training institutes. The first nation-wide student art exhibition was held in 1961.

The Al Jasrah neighborhood, near Souq Waqif, was Qatar's cultural hub in the 1950s and onward. It was home to families closely linked to the rulers and prominent tribes, and it became a meeting place for several artists, including: Jassim Zaini (1943–2012), who is often regarded as the founder of the modern art movement, Yousef Ahmad, Hassan Al Mulla, Ali Hassan, Salman Al-Malik, and Mohammed Al-Jaida, among others. Their shared passion for art eventually led to the establishment of the first art group in Qatar, The Three Friends, followed by the Qatar Fine Arts Society.

In the 1950s, the first social and cultural clubs, such as the Al-Oruba Club and the Al-Nasr Club, emerged. However, it wasn't until the Al Jasrah Social and Cultural Club was established in 1971 that such clubs began to contribute significantly to the art scene.

As an initiative to develop the local artist base, the Ministry of Education began offering scholarships to study art abroad. Jassim Zaini became the first Qatari art student to study abroad on a scholarship in 1962 after he enrolled in the University of Baghdad. Further artists were sent abroad on art scholarships during the 1960s and 1970s, including Wafika Sultan, Hassan Al Mulla and Yousef Ahmad. The latter became the first artist to receive an M.A. in 1981. Wafika Sultan emerged as the first professional female visual artist after graduating in 1974.

Initially, few Qatari artists had formal fine arts education, with many pursuing art through various academic routes. This changed with the establishment of Qatar University in 1973 and the eventual introduction of the Art Education Department in 1986, which produced generations of graduates. Early beneficiaries of Qatar University's arts program include artists Wafa Al-Hamad, Badriya Al-Kubaisi, and Khawla Al-Mannai.