DUBAI: Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will officially open on Dec. 11 this year, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi announced on Tuesday.
The opening marks a major milestone in the emirate’s efforts to establish itself as a global arts and culture destination.
The museum of modern and contemporary art will serve as a platform for artistic exchange, with a focus on presenting diverse global perspectives while reflecting the stories of the UAE and the wider region. Designed to inspire curiosity about modern and contemporary art, it aims to engage new generations through exhibitions, learning and cultural dialogue.
Located in Saadiyat Cultural District, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will join Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, further cementing the district’s status as one of the world’s leading cultural hubs.
Part of the Guggenheim network of museums, which includes New York, Venice and Bilbao, the Abu Dhabi institution has been developed with a distinct identity rooted in the emirate’s history as a crossroads of trade and culture.
Mohamed Khalifa Al-Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is a defining moment in our cultural journey. The museum is shaped by the emirate’s long-held conviction that culture is the most enduring bridge between peoples and a building block for forward-looking societies. It brings new perspectives to modern and contemporary art, shining a light on art from all around the world.
“As a key element of Saadiyat Cultural District, the museum will create transformative new opportunities for learning, creativity, and cultural exchange, inspiring future generations to explore their own potential. Here, everyone belongs and can see themselves reflected in the stories the museum tells, engaging with ideas and artistic voices from across the world.”
Dr. Mariet Westermann, director and CEO of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, said: “The Guggenheim Foundation is proud and delighted to be a longstanding partner with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi in shaping a museum of contemporary art of magnificent scope and aspiration. The museum’s art collection is uniquely local and global, centered in the region but with works from all continents. Through the many stories it will tell and invite, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be a source of wonder, a hub of connection, and a place of curiosity and joy for people from the UAE and the world.”
