Set to open in 2025, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is designed to revolutionise the art of the Middle East. Situated in the centre of Saadiyat Cultural District, this groundbreaking initiative is a joint effort between the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.
It aims to be a global platform for dialogue, cultural exchange, and artistic discovery, grounded in the interconnected histories of West Asia, North Africa, and South Asia (WANASA).
- About Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
- Architectural Master piece by Frank Gehry
- Construction and Project Timeline
- Location and Contact Information
- Museum Features & Facilities
- Exhibitions at Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
- Educational Outreach & Community Engagement
- FAQs
About Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be the largest of all Guggenheim museums worldwide, surpassing its world-renowned siblings in New York, Venice, and Bilbao. The museum’s purpose is to exhibit modern and contemporary art from across the globe, with a strong focus on artists and movements from the WANASA region. Its developing collection already encompasses more than 600 works across diverse media and generations.
Architectural Master piece by Frank Gehry
The symbolic building, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, is a wonder of both structure and purpose. The museum itself is comprised of asymmetrical cones, serving as entrances and sites for open-air exhibitions. Derived from Middle Eastern wind towers, the sustainable design of the building features natural ventilation and shaded courtyards, combining art, nature, and heritage.
Construction and Project Timeline
The foundations of the museum are already complete, and the main building is currently being constructed with steel, concrete, wood, and aluminium. It’s due to be completed in 2025, which will be a huge milestone for the cultural development of the UAE.
- Client: Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
- Construction Joint Venture: Six Construct (BESIX Group) + Trojan General Contracting LLC
- Construction Period: 2021 – 2025
- Sector: Governmental, Cultural, Religious
Location and Contact Information
The district is a vibrant cultural hub that already hosts the Louvre Abu Dhabi and will also feature the Zayed National Museum, the Abrahamic Family House, and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.
Address
Al Saadiyat Island, Cultural District, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Contact Information
Phone: +971 2 444 0444
Email: info@dctabudhabi.ae
Museum Features & Facilities
- 27+ galleries featuring permanent collections and temporary exhibitions
- Education Centre for community education and academic research
- Theatre with 350 seats for film screenings, lectures, and performances
- Outdoor exhibition spaces take advantage of the surrounding landscape
- Art conservation laboratory facilitating research and preservation
Exhibitions at Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will present a dynamic and provocative exhibition program that promotes its global perspective and regional emphasis. Ranging from contemporary installations to historic events, the museum’s exhibitions will emphasise artistic innovation through a variety of cultures and eras. Among some of the upcoming events in Abu Dhabi are:
Thannhauser Collection (Ongoing)
Featuring masterworks from Van Gogh, Manet, Degas, and other pioneers of French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.
Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers
April 18, 2025, to January 18, 2026
A major solo exhibition featuring 90+ works, performances, and installations.
Collection in Focus | The Reach of Faith Ringgold
May 9 to September 14, 2025
Showcasing Ringgold’s quilt art and its role in storytelling through art.
A Year with Children 2025
May 9 to June 15, 2025
Celebrating young creativity through student works from the Learning Through Art initiative.
Collection in Focus: Beatriz Milhazes
March 7 to September 7, 2025
The exhibition of vibrant abstract paintings blending culture, nature and tradition.
By Way Of: Material and Motion in the Guggenheim Collection
March 15, 2024, to June 8, 2025
It explores how artists use unusual materials and techniques in their work.
Modern European Currents
July 15, 2025 to March 22, 2026
A curated experience of early modernists and their visual innovations.
Gabriele Münter: Contours of a World
November 7, 2025 to April 26, 2026
It features 60 works showing Münter’s unique take on modern European art.
Educational Outreach & Community Engagement
The museum isn’t merely about exhibitions, it’s about education. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will have a diverse variety of community outreach programs, art residencies, workshops, and research opportunities. The Learning Through Art program and artist-in-residence program of the museum serve to develop creativity and critical thinking in younger generations.
FAQs
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is currently under construction and is expected to open in 2025.
The museum is located in the Saadiyat Cultural District on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, home to several world-class cultural institutions.
The museum will feature modern and contemporary art from around the world, with a focus on West Asia, North Africa, and South Asia (WANASA).
The museum was designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, known for his bold and innovative architectural style.
The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is a vision for the future of 21st-century art that is bold and visionary. By embracing global stories with a deliberate focus on the WANASA region and by merging architectural innovation with cultural richness, this museum will be a landmark of creative expression and global conversation.
Furthermore, you can also explore the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi on the Property Finder blog.
