Construction has started on Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi, a new performing arts venue designed by the late Frank Gehry, Abu Dhabi's culture and tourism department has announced.
Set to open in 2030, the new attraction on Saadiyat Island will offer year-round programming and will be one of the region's most technologically advanced performing arts venues.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), said the project 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 opera, ballet, theatre and other live performances
"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 the UAE, the region and across the world," he said.
"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, exchange and artistic excellence."
Located near the Saadiyat Cultural District, Dar al Funoon will be a permanent home for opera, ballet, theatre and other live performances, providing 365 days and nights of events, shows and activities.
New venue opens in 2030
It will include a multipurpose performance hall of more than 2,000 seats, a 3,500-seat open-air amphitheatre, a 400-seat studio theatre and a 250-seat jazz venue.
Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi was commissioned by DCT Abu Dhabi and designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry before his death in December 2025.
Per a press release, the venue is envisioned as "a living expression of music and performance, with a billowing fabric-like exterior that cascades over the heart of the site".
Images courtesy of DCT Abu Dhabi
