At Art Basel Paris, Qatar Airways teamed up with GRAMMY-winning artist and cultural entrepreneur Swizz Beatz to launch The Creative 100, a platform celebrating 100 of the world’s most influential creators across art, music, fashion, sport, and technology.
The debut included F1-inspired aircraft renderings, the first tangible output from the initiative. But this is more than a visual statement: it’s the start of a multi-year cultural movement linking creativity and travel in ways the airline industry hasn’t seen before.
The first creatives announced are: Black Coffee, the GRAMMY-Award winning South African DJ and producer; Miles Chamley-Watson, Olympic fencing champion and style innovator; Kristian Teär, CEO of Danish high-end electronics company Bang & Olufsen; Yoon Ahn, American fashion designer, co-founder of AMBUSH; Jewellery Director for Dior Homme; and Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari’s Chief Design Officer.
From the world of art, honourees include Kennedy Yanko, a sculptor known for fusing salvaged metal with paint skin, and Patrick Eugene, a visual artist whose work explores identity, culture, and the human experience.
A flagship gala will be held in Doha in February 2026 during Art Basel Doha, where the first inductees will be officially honoured and the full list of the “Creative 100” revealed. Throughout the year, the initiative will activate at Art Basel’s global events in Paris, Miami, Hong Kong, and Basel, transforming Qatar Airways’ worldwide network into a cultural bridge connecting creative communities across continents.
More than an airline collaboration
What sets this partnership apart is its scope. Qatar Airways isn’t just sponsoring events; they’re co-creating experiences. Think bespoke in-flight programs, limited-edition merchandise, and collaborative projects spanning art, music, design, and sport. Privilege Club members will get behind-the-scenes access to masterclasses, studio visits, and exclusive events.
A dedicated digital hub will serve as the initiative’s home, featuring interviews, films, podcasts, and curated city guides. Users can explore inductees’ home cities, inspirations, and personal travel stories. Extended content will remain exclusive to Privilege Club members, adding a layer of insider access to the global creative dialogue.
“At Qatar Airways, creativity fuels everything we do,” said Group CEO Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer. “Through the Creative 100, we celebrate those whose ideas shape culture and bring people together across borders.”
Swizz Beatz framed the platform as a reminder that travel and creativity are inseparable. “Qatar Airways doesn’t just move people, it moves the world. The Creative 100 honours those who use their talent to unite, uplift, and reimagine what’s possible,” he said.
Through The Dean Collection, Swizz Beatz has long championed living artists, especially those of African and diasporic heritage. Now, alongside Qatar Airways, he’s expanding that mission into a global cultural exchange.