She was granted the honorary membership of the academy in tribute to her tangible role and efforts in supporting arts, preserving the global human heritage in Bahrain and cementing cultural and artistic ties between Bahrain and Russia.
This came during the opening of the contemporary fine art gallery for Bahraini artists at the Russian Academy of Arts (Zurab Tsereteli Arts Gallery).
Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa was present in the opening ceremony alongside Prof. Zurab Tsereteli, Arab and Foreign Ambassadors to Russia, Senior officials from the Russian Culture Ministry and Russian fine artists.
It is worth mentioning that the honorary membership of the Russian Academy of Arts is granted only for international academics and artists who greatly served the global art momentum and human heritage. Shaikha Mai was chosen for the honour in recognition of her strenuous efforts and great contributions in this respect.