After more than 20 years in development, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is set to open its doors on December 11, marking a major addition to the United Arab Emirates’ ambitious cultural district on Saadiyat Island. Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the museum is the latest centerpiece in a multi-billion-dollar effort by Abu Dhabi to establish itself as a global arts hub.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi’s department of culture and tourism, described the museum as a pivotal milestone in the emirate’s cultural evolution, emphasizing its role in broadening the perspectives of modern and contemporary art worldwide. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will focus on art from the 1960s to the present day, showcasing significant works from regions including the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa.
This new museum represents the fourth site in the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation’s international network, which includes locations in New York, Venice, and Bilbao, Spain. However, the partnership with Abu Dhabi’s government is notably distinct. The UAE government has invested over $1 billion in construction, and all major hiring decisions have been made collaboratively with the local culture department. Acquired artworks will be owned by the Abu Dhabi government. Mariët Westermann, the foundation’s director and chief executive, emphasized the museum’s mission to present a “new art history” that invites visitors from the local region and around the world.
Architecturally, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi features 30 interconnected galleries centered around a central atrium and highlighted by 10 sculptural cones. Gehry’s design utilizes stainless-steel mesh, onyx, and glass, creating approximately 125,000 square feet of interior exhibition space, with outdoor gallery areas more than doubling this footprint.
As the opening approaches, some staff have reported issues with cracked flooring, although the museum declined to disclose details about the inaugural exhibition. Westermann noted that installation of art remains the primary focus ahead of the launch.
The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi project was first announced in 2006 by Thomas Krens, then director of the Guggenheim Foundation, who sought to build a global network of Guggenheim sites following the success of Bilbao. While some planned expansions in Finland, Brazil, and Mexico were never realized, and partnerships in Berlin and Las Vegas eventually closed, Abu Dhabi’s outpost has persisted despite controversies. Throughout the 2010s, the museum faced criticism from activists concerning the treatment and safety of migrant construction workers.
The Saadiyat Island cultural district now also includes the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a natural history museum, and an immersive art center by Japanese collective teamLab. Gehry is also designing an upcoming performing arts center nearby.
Westermann, who joined the foundation in 2024, restructured leadership to facilitate the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s international profile and fundraising efforts. Despite regional security concerns amid ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions and missile strikes near Abu Dhabi earlier this year, she affirmed that the safety of staff and visitors remains the highest priority. Westermann recently made her first visit to the site since February, highlighting the museum’s readiness to welcome the public.