Abu Dhabi unveils Dar al Funoon, a landmark performing arts destination set to open in 2030
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed witnesses launch of UAE’s new cultural venue
ABU DHABI – His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has witnessed the launch of the Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi (House of the Arts) development project near Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi.
Scheduled to open in 2030, the project will become one of the region’s largest and most technically advanced performing arts venues, offering year-round artistic programming and creating a dedicated platform for global and regional productions. The landmark development is designed to bring together artists, performers and audiences through a diverse programme of cultural experiences.
The venue will feature multiple performance spaces, including a multipurpose performance hall with more than 2,000 seats, a 3,500-seat open-air amphitheatre, a 400-seat studio theatre and a 250-seat jazz venue. Together, these artistic spaces will provide a total capacity exceeding 6,000 seats, allowing Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi to host a wide range of international productions and performances.
خالد بن محمد بن زايد يشهد إطلاق مشروع "دار الفنون أبوظبي" بالقرب من المنطقة الثقافية بالسعديات، والذي ستصل طاقته الاستيعابية، عند افتتاحه عام 2030، إلى أكثر من 6000 مقعد لاستضافة أرقى الإنتاجات الفنية العالمية وتقديم تجارب ثقافية استثنائية للجمهور محلياً وإقليمياً ودولياً. pic.twitter.com/rjqBXbI1ft
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) June 25, 2026
Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi
During the launch, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reviewed the project’s plans and was briefed on its architectural vision, development phases, construction progress and advanced facilities. The venue has been designed according to the highest international standards, with technical capabilities aimed at supporting leading global artistic productions.
His Highness Sheikh Khaled highlighted that investment in cultural infrastructure remains a key part of Abu Dhabi’s wider development vision, recognising the role of arts in enhancing quality of life, encouraging cultural dialogue and strengthening connections between communities and nations.
The project reflects Abu Dhabi’s focus on culture as a strategic driver of sustainable development and as an important contributor to the growth of the knowledge-based economy. Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi is expected to provide a long-term home for artistic expression while supporting the emirate’s expanding cultural ecosystem.
The venue will host a wide range of world-class productions, including opera, ballet, theatre and other live performing arts. It will also support long-term artistic residencies, international touring partnerships and co-productions with leading performing arts organisations worldwide.
Artistic landmark
Commissioned by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and designed by the late Frank Gehry, one of the most influential figures in contemporary architecture and the architect behind the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi reflects a design concept inspired by music and the performing arts.
The development will feature a transparent façade representing Abu Dhabi’s openness towards creativity and cultural exchange. The architectural approach reflects the project’s ambition to become a significant addition to the emirate’s growing collection of cultural landmarks.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi represents our long-term investment in artistic expression and reflects our comprehensive approach to cultural development. It is an approach rooted in our values, shaped by our people, and open to the world.”
He added that the project represents a deliberate investment in the future of Abu Dhabi’s cultural ecosystem, creating a permanent home for performance and bringing together leading artists, companies and creative talent from the UAE, the region and around the world.
Through artistic residencies, international partnerships and major productions, Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi will expand opportunities for cultural exchange, support emerging creatives and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global centre for creativity, cultural exchange and artistic excellence.
Cultural growth
The new venue will contribute to Abu Dhabi’s cultural landscape by attracting leading artistic productions and providing a platform to showcase Emirati arts and national identity. It will further support the UAE’s growing presence on the international cultural and artistic stage.
The project will also encourage wider community participation through artistic workshops, educational initiatives and interactive programmes designed to support local talent development. These programmes will help create new opportunities for artists and audiences while strengthening the role of arts within everyday life.
Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi will also contribute to the growth of the creative economy by supporting cultural and creative industries, enhancing cultural tourism and attracting investment, talent and organisations within the sector.
The development aligns with Abu Dhabi’s objectives to diversify its economy and increase the contribution of knowledge- and creativity-based sectors to sustainable development. By supporting cultural industries and artistic innovation, the project forms part of the emirate’s broader efforts to build a future-focused economy.
The announcement of Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi follows the continued transformation of Saadiyat Island, which includes Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.