Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched the Museum of Digital Art (MODA), establishing the first museum in the Middle East dedicated to digital art, immersive technologies, and new media practices.
Located within the DIFC Zabeel District expansion project, the institution marks a major addition to Dubai’s rapidly growing cultural infrastructure. During the launch, Sheikha Latifa was accompanied by Essa Kazim.
Sheikha Latifa said, “The Museum of Digital Art reflects Dubai’s long-term vision of culture as a catalyst for innovation, knowledge, and human connection. As the first institution of its kind in the region, it marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Dubai’s cultural ecosystem and reinforces our commitment to shaping a future where creativity and technology converge to expand the boundaries of artistic expression. The emirate’s cultural journey has been defined by openness, ambition, and a belief in the transformative power of ideas, and today, we continue to build on that legacy by creating institutions and platforms that empower artists, nurture emerging talent, and create new pathways for cultural participation and exchange. In an increasingly digital world, museums must not only preserve heritage but also reimagine how culture is accessed and shared across generations and geographies.”
“Through projects like the Museum of Digital Art, we are contributing to a cultural landscape that is future-focused, globally connected, and grounded in creativity, knowledge exchange, and opportunity,” Sheikha Latifa concluded.
The announcement coincides with the 20th edition of Art Dubai, reinforcing Dubai’s continued investment in cultural infrastructure and creative industries.
Five-Floor Institution Combines Art, Technology, and Research
Spanning five floors, MODA has been conceived as a future-oriented cultural institution integrating immersive exhibitions, interactive experiences, educational programs, and research initiatives. Moreover, the museum will function as a platform for collaboration between artists, technologists, researchers, and emerging creative talent.
Dubai International Financial Centre will oversee the museum’s development, while Dubai Culture and Arts Authority will direct its operations and cultural strategy.
Essa Kazim said, “For more than two decades, DIFC has played an important role in shaping Dubai’s standing as a global centre for art and culture, creating a platform where creativity, commerce, and community intersect. The Museum of Digital Art represents a natural evolution of DIFC’s art legacy and reflects our commitment to advancing Dubai’s cultural ambitions through innovation and future-focused, globally relevant experiences.”
The museum was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture and will include permanent and temporary exhibitions alongside interactive public platforms intended to encourage experimentation and interdisciplinary exchange.
Additionally, the institution plans to introduce a “digital twin” model that expands global access to exhibitions and cultural programming through virtual interaction and remote participation.
DIFC Expands Long-Term Cultural Strategy Through MODA
The launch of MODA forms part of DIFC’s broader 20-year arts strategy, which aims to consolidate the district’s cultural programming into a unified year-round platform. Existing initiatives, including Sculpture Park, Art Nights, and Satellite Gallery, will operate within this expanded framework.
Her Excellency Hala Badri said, “The museum is an interactive space where creativity meets advanced technology, fostering innovation among artists and giving them the room to develop ideas and strengthen their place in the cultural landscape. At Dubai Culture, we remain committed to building an ecosystem that keeps pace with the transformations taking place around the world by investing in projects that bring culture and technology closer together, support the growth of the cultural and creative industries, and open research platforms for cross-border dialogue. We are also focused on creating spaces that inspire future generations and reinforce Dubai’s position as a global hub for the creative economy.”
Arif Amiri added, “DIFC’s new arts strategy builds upon our long-established credentials as Dubai’s home for art and culture. This launches a new cultural chapter for us, with the Museum of Digital Art serving as a key cultural anchor within the district’s mixed-use expansion, DIFC Zabeel District. We are thrilled to further strengthen DIFC’s position as a global destination where finance, culture, and lifestyle intertwine.”
The museum also aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy, both of which prioritize the expansion of cultural and creative industries as drivers of economic diversification and international cultural tourism.