Guggenheim Abu Dhabi set to open by 2025

The project, which has been hit by several delays, will cement the emirate’s identity as a cultural capital

Authorities in Abu Dhabi have confirmed that The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is on track to open by 2025. 

The museum, which was first announced in 2006, will join the collection of Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation museums across the globe. The Abu Dhabi museum has been designed by Frank Gehry and will present a range of global modern and contemporary art pieces, with a specific focus on West Asia, North Africa and South Asia.

Speaking about the announcement, Gehry said: “It is truly thrilling to see this project enter into this new phase. I am immensely proud to work closely with our partners, DCT Abu Dhabi and the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation, to create a home for their ground-breaking cultural programme. I hope that this building is embraced by the people of the UAE and that this work will endure as a landmark for the country for many years to come.”

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DCT Abu Dhabi chairman HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak added: “Guggenheim Abu Dhabi advances Abu Dhabi’s position as a dynamic centre for arts and culture. The region’s pre-eminent museum of global modern and contemporary art, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will present an equitable platform for artists from all over the world. The museum will also play a civic role through its mission to spark wider interest in global modern and contemporary art, fostering diversity and inclusion in a meaningful cultural exchange.

“As we move forward with our plans, it is crucial to recognise the impact of this museum in realising our vision for the Emirate’s cultural and creative industries. Investing in these industries is pivotal to the economic development of our emirate, and to our contribution to the global art world. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi – along with other cultural institutions, such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and Zayed National  Museum – will undoubtedly contribute significantly to a thriving creative scene.”