Dar al Funoon: A new performing arts centre is coming to Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi just announced something special
Culture lovers already have plenty of reasons to visit Saadiyat Island. While many are eagerly awaiting the opening of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi later this year, the capital has revealed another exciting addition to its cultural landscape: Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi, a brand-new performing arts centre.
The announcement was made by the Abu Dhabi Media Office on its official social media channel X
خالد بن محمد بن زايد يشهد إطلاق مشروع “دار الفنون أبوظبي” بالقرب من المنطقة الثقافية بالسعديات، والذي ستصل طاقته الاستيعابية، عند افتتاحه عام 2030، إلى أكثر من 6000 مقعد لاستضافة أرقى الإنتاجات الفنية العالمية وتقديم تجارب ثقافية استثنائية للجمهور محلياً وإقليمياً ودولياً. pic.twitter.com/rjqBXbI1ft
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) June 25, 2026
According to the post, the new performing arts centre project is called Dar al Funoon (House of the Arts) and will be located near Saadiyat Cultural District.
It has an aim to open in 2030 and will host the ‘finest global artistic productions and offer exceptional cultural experiences to local, regional, and international audiences.’
The multipurpose performance hall will feature over 2,000 seats, and will include a 3,500-seat open-air amphitheatre, a 400-seat studio theatre and a 250-seat jazz venue – with a total capacity exceeding 6,000 across its artistic spaces.
His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has reaffirmed that investing in cultural infrastructure is central to Abu Dhabi’s wider development vision – one that recognises the arts as key to enhancing quality of life, encouraging openness and cultural dialogue, and building bridges between people and cultures.
The media office shared a closer look at the launch of Dar al Funoon, witnessed by H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed — scroll through the gallery below.
Dar al Funoon
Dar al Funoon
Dar al Funoon
Dar al Funoon
Dar al Funoon
The stunning performance centre is designed by the late Frank Gehry – one of the leading figures in contemporary architecture and the architect of the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. It reflects an architectural vision inspired by music and the performing arts.
A key and striking feature: the transparent façade that symbolises Abu Dhabi’s openness to creativity and cultural exchange.
Some of the world-class performances we can expect when it opens span opera, ballet, theatre and other live performing arts.
It will also support long-term artistic residencies, international touring partnerships and co-productions with leading performing arts institutions around the world, attracting acclaimed artists and companies while opening new opportunities for Emirati and regional talent.
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, said, “Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi represents our long-term investment in artistic expression and reflects our comprehensive approach to cultural development. It is an approach rooted in our values, shaped by our people, and open to the world. This is a deliberate investment in the future of our cultural ecosystem, and the scale of our ambition is clear. Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi will be a permanent home for performance, bringing together leading artists, companies and creative talent from the UAE, the region and across the world. Through artistic residencies, international partnerships and world-class productions, it will expand opportunities for cultural exchange, inspire new generations of creatives, and further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global centre for creativity, cultural exchange and artistic excellence.”
The announcement of the Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi project forms part of the continued development of Saadiyat Island, which includes the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
More details will be released soon, so stay tuned, as we too are eagerly waiting to know more.
What else do culture vultures have to look forward to?
The UAE’s cultural future looks anything but ordinary. Here’s everything that’s yet to come…
ABU DHABI
The Guggenheim
Saadiyat Island’s Cultural District is set to welcome its final masterpiece this year: the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Already home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and the Zayed National Museum, the district will soon add another world-class landmark to its growing cultural lineup. Unlike the stark white facades of its neighbouring cultural landmarks, the Guggenheim will feature groundbreaking avant-garde architecture reflecting the golden dunes of the desert. The design will incorporate traditional and sustainable elements within the design, such as wind towers and covered courtyards, blending modern architecture with a nod to local heritage. It will be the largest of the four Guggenheims in the world, strengthening the UAE’s capital position as a global centre for arts and culture. Domus – a prestigious international architectural magazine from Milan, states that the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will house an art and technology centre, galleries for special exhibitions and permanent collection, an education centre, a theatre, archives, a library,
a research centre and a restoration lab.
The most important question of all: When is Guggenheim Abu Dhabi opening? No official opening date has been announced, but with construction moving rapidly, a visit could be possible by the end of 2026.
DUBAI
Duma
When people think of masterpieces, they usually imagine works of art hanging within museum walls. But DUMA, the Dubai Museum of Art, is set to redefine that idea entirely – an architectural masterpiece in its own right, designed to float above the waters of Dubai Creek. Spanning five floors, the museum will showcase modern and contemporary art when it opens, further strengthening Dubai’s position as a global hub for creativity and culture. Visitors can also look forward to a library, restaurants and cafés, as well as a viewing deck offering panoramic views of Dubai Creek.
Museum of Digital Art
Dubai’s arts and culture scene is set to welcome a bold new addition: the Museum of Digital Art (MODA). The first-of-its-kind museum will be dedicated to digital art and emerging technologies, creating a dynamic space for artists, researchers, and rising talent from the UAE and beyond. Spanning five floors, MODA will feature a futuristic mix of permanent and rotating exhibitions, positioning itself as a forward-thinking cultural hub where art meets technology. Visitors can also expect immersive experiences, interactive spaces, and educational platforms designed to invite exploration, experimentation, and discovery across
a range of digital art forms.
REOPENING
Al Fahidi Fort/Dubai Museum
Located in Bur Dubai and housed within one of the city’s oldest surviving buildings, the landmark closed in 2021 for a major transformation aimed at reimagining the visitor experience. The redevelopment will introduce modern infrastructure and updated spaces, while carefully preserving the fort’s historic architecture and cultural character. Once reopened, the museum will continue its long-standing mission: to preserve and share the story of Dubai’s journey from its heritage roots to the global city it is today.
Images: Supplied by Abu Dhabi Media Office
