The Opening Ceremony of the American Arts Festival took place on February 16, 2007 at Al Bidaa Park on the Corniche Road in Doha. The Ceremony was open to the public.The American Arts Festival 2007 was designed to provide an opportunity for Qatar, and the region, to experience and engage with different aspects of American culture through its arts. The festival focused on three areas: poetry, photography and jazz. Each program included multiple activities over a number of days. All three programs were designed to present — through performance, lectures, and discussion — the art-form in question; to show what the American expression of this art form reveals about American history, culture and society; and to engage and promote dialogue with Qatari and Arab artists and students of art.James Reardon-Anderson, Dean of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, gave the welcome speech and introduced the Keynote Speakers Abdulla Al Thani from Qatar Foundation, Aisha Al Thani from Reach Out to Asia (ROTA), and US Ambassador to Qatar Chase Untermeyer. 

Ali Mirza is a Qatari artist, and poet. He has acted in, produced and directed numerous plays and has published many volumes of poetry. He is a founding member of the theater movement in Qatar in 1970. He currently heads the Department of Play script and Programs evaluation Department at Qatar television. 

Abir Al Kuwwari was the first member of the Qatar Photographic Society in 1988. Her photographs focus on nature, still-life and children. Her talent lies in her ability to bring profound meaning to the simple and the everyday, where she captures her subject matters in their natural environment. She has exhibited her work in various indoor and outdoor events and has won several awards. 

Doha Jazz Band The Doha Jazz Quintet, formed in 2003, is a collective of Qatar's ex-patriot jazz musicians. Many different musicians have come and gone through the 4 years since its inception, however the two main stays throughout this time have been Chris Coull (Trumpet) and John Petrie (Bass) who are currently joined by Richard Perks (Guitar), Fraser Dodd (Saxophone) and Adil Rhassan (Drums). The Doha Jazz quintet can be seen at the Ritz Carlton every Friday for brunch and at the fortnightly jazz evenings in Habanos cigar bar.