Rema Zeynalova

Biography

Since 2024, Rema has been working as the Head of the International Relations Department at the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art. Previously, Rema served as Chief Specialist on Scientific Research at the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum.

As the Head of International Relations Department, Rema’s responsibilities include: establishing and maintaining partnerships with international museums, cultural institutions, and government bodies; overseeing international collaborations – including exhibitions, research initiatives, and educational programmes; representing the museum of international conferences and cultural events to promote its global presence; coordinating the logistics of international exchanges, loans, and travelling exhibitions; developing and implementing strategies for international growth, visibility, and partnerships; and identifying and securing international grants, sponsorships, and other funding opportunities.

Rema has coordinated several international exhibitions, including:

• Western Azerbaijan in Our Cultural Memory – held in collaboration with the Ankara Art and Sculpture Museum from May to July 2025 at the Ankara Art and Sculpture Museum.
• Sattar Bahlulzadeh – Creator of Invisible Worlds – held in collaboration with the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus from September to November 2025 at the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus.
• In the Beginning Was the World…and Music, Colours and Thoughts – part of the Long Night of Museums project in Austria, held in collaboration with the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Austria in October 2025.
• Diego Rivera – The Promise for a Better Future – held in collaboration with the Diego Rivera Anahuacalli Museum from October to December 2025 at the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art.

Rema’s professional interests include fostering partnerships with museums and cultural institutions, developing exhibition and research collaborations, and implementing strategies for international cultural engagement.

At the British Museum
During her time on the International Training Programme, Rema was based in the Middle East Department and her partner placement was spent at Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives.

In 2018 participants were asked to plan and propose a temporary exhibition, drawing on their existing museum experience and the skills learnt during the programme.  Rema worked with Cherry Thinn (Myanmar) on her Object in focus project, Journey Towards Eternity.

Rema’s place on the International Training Programme was generously supported by the Altajir Trust.

Legacy Projects

In 2023, Rema received an ITP Conference Grant to attend Museums: Shaping the Future of Education, ICOM CECA, Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore, 20-24 November.