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, marking a major investment in the emirate’s cultural infrastructure.
Located adjacent to the Saadiyat Cultural District, the performing arts venue is scheduled to open in 2030. Once completed, it will become one of the Middle East’s largest and most technologically advanced performing arts centers, presenting year-round programs spanning opera, ballet, theatre, jazz and multidisciplinary live performances.
Commissioned by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the project was designed by the late architect Frank Gehry. Consequently, Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi will join a growing portfolio of landmark cultural buildings that define the emirate’s evolving architectural identity.
During the launch, Sheikh Khaled reviewed the project’s masterplan, architectural vision and advanced technical capabilities, which are designed to support the staging of large-scale international productions.
He said investment in cultural infrastructure forms a key pillar of Abu Dhabi’s long-term development strategy, highlighting the role of the arts in enhancing quality of life, promoting cultural dialogue and supporting a knowledge-based economy.
Frank Gehry’s Architectural Vision Combines Performance and Public Space
Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi will feature a multipurpose theatre with more than 2,000 seats, a 3,500-seat open-air amphitheater, a 400-seat studio theatre and a 250-seat jazz venue. Together, these performance spaces will provide a combined audience capacity of more than 6,000.
The building’s transparent façade draws inspiration from music and the performing arts. As a result, the design emphasizes openness, creativity and cultural exchange while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s ambitions as an international arts destination.
Gehry, whose portfolio also includes the forthcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, conceived the venue as a new cultural landmark within Saadiyat Island’s expanding arts district. Furthermore, the center has been designed to accommodate complex productions through advanced stage technologies and flexible performance environments.
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, described the project as a long-term investment in artistic expression and cultural development.
“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 said.
New Performing Arts Hub Will Support International Collaboration and Local Talent
The venue will serve as a permanent home for international productions while fostering artistic residencies, touring partnerships and co-productions with leading performing arts institutions worldwide. At the same time, it will create new opportunities for Emirati and regional artists through collaborations with global creative organizations.
Beyond its performance program, Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi will host educational initiatives, workshops and community engagement activities designed to broaden participation in the arts. Therefore, the institution is expected to play a significant role in nurturing creative talent and strengthening the UAE’s cultural ecosystem.
Al Mubarak said the project would strengthen Abu Dhabi’s cultural ecosystem by attracting leading international artists and productions while expanding opportunities for local creative talent.
“This is a deliberate investment in the future of our cultural ecosystem, and the scale of our ambition is clear. Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi will be a permanent home for performance, bringing together leading artists, companies and creative talent from the UAE, the region and across the world,” he said.
In addition, the development is expected to support Abu Dhabi’s creative economy by encouraging cultural tourism, attracting international investment and reinforcing the growth of cultural and creative industries.
Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi forms part of the continued expansion of Saadiyat Island’s cultural district, joining institutions including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi and the forthcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Collectively, these institutions reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a global destination for art, architecture, culture and knowledge.