Guggenheim Abu Dhabi has set an opening date for its first location in the UAE, 20 years after the new museum was first announced.
Opening on 11 December 2026, the museum will showcase modern and contemporary art from the 1960s to the present. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, installations, photography, film and new media by artists from around the world.
"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," said Mariët Westermann, director and CEO of the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation.
"The museum’s art collection is uniquely local and global, centred in the region but with works from all continents."
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is located in the growing Saadiyat Cultural District, one of the world's leading cultural destinations
Designed by the late architect Frank Gehry, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. It is part of the Guggenheim's global network of museums.
It joins the growing Saadiyat Cultural District alongside Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, helping establish the district as one of the world's leading cultural destinations.
The museum's design features cones up to 88 metres high that provide natural ventilation and shade. It includes 11,600 square metres of indoor gallery space and 23,000 square metres of outdoor exhibition areas, making it the largest Guggenheim museum in the world.
Designed by the late architect Frank Gehry, the new Guggenheim Abu Dhabi features cones up to 88 metres high
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."
Images courtesy of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
