Abu Dhabi's cultural vision strikes a new note with landmark new project
PARTNER CONTENT: A stunning new cultural landmark is set to join Abu Dhabi’s world-class arts scene, as the emirate prepares to welcome the major new performing arts institution, Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced plans for the new landmark institution on Saadiyat Island, which will become one of the region’s largest and most technically advanced music and performing arts venues.
Designed by the late Frank Gehry, Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi will become a permanent home for world-class performances ranging from ballet to opera, further elevating the region’s performing arts landscape.
It will host opera, ballet, theatre and live performances at the highest international level, bringing together internationally acclaimed and emerging talent across a range of artistic disciplines.
Audiences will experience the arts at different scales, from intimate productions to large-scale performances.
Representing a major investment in cultural infrastructure, the institution reflects Abu Dhabi’s long-term vision to create world-class platforms for artistic excellence, international collaboration and cultural exchange.
The announcement comes as Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a global cultural capital, building on a rich ecosystem that includes its designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Music in 2021, as well as cultural pillars such as the Abu Dhabi Festival, Berklee Abu Dhabi, Bait Al Oud, and its role in hosting International Jazz Day 2025.
Through continued investment in culture, creativity and knowledge, Abu Dhabi is building a vibrant cultural ecosystem that connects local audiences with leading global artists and institutions, reinforcing its position as a global capital for culture.
His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, witnessed the announcement during a visit to Saadiyat Island, accompanied by His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, along with senior officials and key stakeholders.
He was briefed on the project’s role in advancing Abu Dhabi’s long-term cultural vision, reinforcing the emirate’s continued investment in cultural infrastructure and its position as a global hub for creativity, artistic excellence and cultural exchange.
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT 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 at the highest international level, bringing together leading artists, companies and creative talent from 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.”
A home for the performing arts
Opening on Saadiyat Island near the Saadiyat Cultural District, Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi will be one of the region’s largest and most advanced dedicated performing arts venues.
Its facilities will include a 2,000+ seat multipurpose performance hall, 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 all spaces.
The venue will support everything from intimate productions to major international performances, and serve as a platform for long-term artistic residencies, touring partnerships and co-productions with leading global companies.
It will bring celebrated international artists to Abu Dhabi while creating new opportunities for regional and emerging talent to perform on the same stage.
Elevating Abu Dhabi’s cultural landscape
Commissioned by DCT Abu Dhabi and designed by the late Frank Gehry, the project continues his architectural legacy in the emirate alongside the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in Saadiyat Cultural District.
These works stand among his most significant late-career contributions, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s commitment to landmark cultural design and architectural excellence.
The announcement reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader commitment to culture as a driver of creativity, community engagement and sustainable development.
Beyond its cultural significance, the institution is expected to deliver lasting socio-economic impact, including job creation, skills development, cultural tourism growth, and strengthening of the creative economy as a key pillar of long-term growth.
For further information, visit dctabudhabi.ae and visitabudhabi.ae
