The new performing arts institution, designed by the late Frank Gehry, will provide a venue for performances ranging from ballet to opera.
Scheduled to open in 2030, the institution will offer year-round programming with 365 days of events and performances.
Abu Dhabi, UAEJune 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) today announced that construction has begun on the iconic institution Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island. Upon its opening in 2030, it will become one of the most technologically advanced performing arts venues in the region. This institution represents a significant investment in cultural infrastructure, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s vision to create a world-class platform for artistic excellence, international collaboration, and cultural exchange.
A new chapter unfolds in the cultural vision of Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi’s landmark performing arts institution
Through sustained investment in culture, creativity, and knowledge, Abu Dhabi is building a vibrant cultural ecosystem that connects local audiences with world-leading artists and institutions, while solidifying its status as a global cultural capital.
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, stated: “Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi represents our long-term investment in artistic expression and reflects our comprehensive approach to cultural development. This approach is rooted in our values, shaped by our people, and open to the world. It is a thoughtful investment in the future of our cultural ecosystem, and the scale of our ambition is evident. Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi will bring together leading artists, companies, and creative talents from the UAE, the region, and around the world, serving as a permanent home for performances of the highest international caliber. Through artistic residencies, international partnerships, and world-class productions, it will expand opportunities for cultural exchange, inspire a new generation of creative talent, and further cement Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for creativity, exchange, and artistic excellence.”
A Home for the Performing Arts
Located on Saadiyat Island, near the renowned Saadiyat Cultural District, Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi will be one of the largest and most technologically advanced purpose-built performing arts venues in the region. This highly adaptable performance complex will serve as a permanent home for world-class opera, ballet, theater, and other live performances, bringing together renowned and emerging talent from a range of artistic disciplines across the region and the world. Audiences will experience art at various scales, from intimate works to major productions.
Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi will offer 365 days of events, performances, and activities.
Its facilities include a versatile performance hall with over 2,000 seats, a 3,500-seat open-air amphitheater, a 400-seat studio theater, and a 250-seat jazz venue, with a total capacity exceeding 6,000 seats across its spaces.
The new performing arts institution is also envisioned as a platform for long-term artistic residencies, partnerships, and co-productions with world-leading performing arts companies. It will bring the most celebrated artists and ensembles to Abu Dhabi, while creating new opportunities for regional and emerging talents to perform alongside them.
Expanding Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Landscape
Commissioned by DCT Abu Dhabi, Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi is designed by the late Frank Gehry, one of the world’s most renowned architects, who is also responsible for the architectural design of the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. It is conceived as a vivid expression of music and performance, with its rolling, fabric-like exterior cascading over the venue’s center.
Its transparent facade invites the public into the artistic process, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s commitment to openness, engagement, and cultural exchange.
These structures by Frank Gehry highlight Abu Dhabi’s commitment to architectural excellence and the strategic decision to invest in exceptional design that inspires and reflects the cultural aspirations of the UAE.
The performing arts have long flourished in Abu Dhabi, evidenced by its designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Music; the annual Abu Dhabi Festival; the Berklee Abu Dhabi Center for Performing Arts Education; the Bait Al Oud music academy; and its role as host of International Jazz Day 2025, among other festivals and concerts.
The announcement of Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi reflects the emirate’s commitment to investing in culture as a means of sustainable development. Beyond its cultural significance, the institution is expected to bring lasting community and socio-economic benefits, creating jobs, developing local skills and talent, attracting cultural tourism, and strengthening the creative economy as a driver of Abu Dhabi’s long-term growth.
About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable development of culture and tourism in Abu Dhabi, fueling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s global ambitions. Working closely with organizations that shape Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi is committed to uniting the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinating efforts and investments, delivering innovative solutions, and using the best tools, policies, and systems to support the culture, creativity, and tourism industries.
DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is shaped by the emirate’s people, heritage, and landscape. We are dedicated to enhancing Abu Dhabi’s image as an authentic, innovative, and extraordinary destination, thanks to its welcoming traditional culture, pioneering initiatives, and creative thinking.
For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and its destinations, please visit: dctabudhabi.ae, visitabudhabi.ae, and abudhabiculture.ae
A new chapter unfolds in the cultural vision of Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi’s landmark performing arts institution