Dubai unveils region’s first Museum of Digital Art
DIFC Zabeel development anchors new cultural and creative district vision
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed launches the Museum of Digital Art in Dubai’s DIFC Zabeel District, marking the region’s first institution dedicated to digital art and immersive cultural innovation.
DUBAI – Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, has launched the Museum of Digital Art (MODA), marking a defining moment in Dubai’s cultural evolution.
The institution is the region’s first museum dedicated entirely to digital art and emerging technologies, positioning the emirate at the forefront of new artistic expression.
The announcement was made in Dubai, with senior officials from the Dubai International Financial Centre also in attendance.
Located within the DIFC Zabeel District expansion, the museum is designed as a five-storey cultural landmark. Its creation reflects Dubai’s continued drive to integrate innovation with the creative industries.
Museum of Digital Art
The launch of MODA represents a significant expansion of Dubai’s museum ecosystem, aligning with broader ambitions to strengthen the emirate’s global cultural standing. Sheikha Latifa emphasised that the museum reflects Dubai’s long-term vision of culture as a driver of innovation, knowledge and human connection. She highlighted the importance of reimagining how museums operate in a digital-first world, where accessibility and participation extend beyond physical boundaries.
She also noted that the emirate’s cultural development has been shaped by openness, ambition and a commitment to nurturing talent. MODA is intended to support artists, emerging creatives and researchers while enabling new pathways for cultural exchange. The museum will serve as a platform where art and technology intersect, expanding the definition of artistic practice in the region.
DIFC expansion
The Museum of Digital Art is located within the DIFC Zabeel District expansion project, a major development contributing to Dubai’s growing cultural infrastructure. DIFC will oversee the museum’s development, while Dubai Culture will manage its operations and strategic direction, ensuring alignment with the emirate’s long-term cultural policies.
The architectural design has been entrusted to Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, known for large-scale, innovation-driven projects. The museum will span five floors and include permanent and temporary exhibitions, immersive installations, interactive spaces, research initiatives and educational facilities.
Essa Kazim, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre, described the museum as a natural extension of DIFC’s evolving cultural role. He said the district has spent over two decades building a space where creativity, commerce and community intersect, and MODA strengthens that identity as DIFC continues to position itself as a global hub for culture and lifestyle.
Art ecosystem
The announcement coincides with the 20th edition of Art Dubai, reflecting the maturity and expansion of the emirate’s contemporary art scene. Over the past two decades, Art Dubai has played a central role in shaping the region’s cultural landscape, supporting artists, galleries and institutions across the UAE and beyond.
MODA is expected to integrate into this wider ecosystem, reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to become a global centre for creative industries. Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture, said the museum reflects Dubai’s ability to anticipate shifts in the cultural sector and adopt forward-looking models of artistic engagement.
She described the museum as an interactive environment where creativity meets advanced technology, enabling artists to experiment and develop new ideas. According to her, Dubai Culture remains committed to building systems that support the growth of cultural industries, expand research platforms and encourage cross-border collaboration.
Digital future
As part of DIFC’s long-term arts strategy, MODA will anchor a unified cultural programme that brings together existing initiatives such as Sculpture Park, Art Nights and Satellite Gallery under a single year-round calendar. This integration aims to establish a more cohesive cultural identity for the district while supporting consistent artistic engagement.
Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority and Chairman of Art Dubai, said the strategy builds on DIFC’s established role as a cultural destination within the region. He noted that MODA marks a new chapter in DIFC’s development, reinforcing its position as a place where finance and culture intersect within a modern urban environment.
The museum will also focus heavily on education and skills development, offering dedicated programmes designed to prepare future generations for careers in creative and digital industries. It will include initiatives that extend beyond traditional museum formats, including a digital twin model enabling global interaction and access to exhibitions.
Aligned with Dubai’s D33 economic agenda and the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy, MODA is expected to strengthen the contribution of cultural industries to the emirate’s diversified economy. It will also support Dubai’s position as a destination for cultural tourism, innovation and creative investment, adding a new dimension to its rapidly expanding museum landscape.