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 announcement of Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi (House of the Arts), a landmark performing arts institution that will further strengthen the emirate’s cultural landscape.
His Highness was briefed on the project’s role in advancing Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision through continued investment in cultural infrastructure, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a global destination for creativity, artistic excellence, and cultural exchange. Construction has already commenced, with the institution set to open in 2030 on Saadiyat Island, alongside the Saadiyat Cultural District’s renowned museums, including Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Designed by the late architect Frank Gehry, Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi will become a permanent home for opera, ballet, theatre, and live performance, while supporting long-term artistic residencies, international collaborations, touring productions, and co-productions with leading global institutions. The venue will accommodate performances ranging from intimate productions to large-scale performances, expanding the ways audiences experience the performing arts in Abu Dhabi.
The institution will feature some of the region’s most advanced performance facilities, including a 2,000-seat multipurpose performance hall, a 3,500-seat open-air amphitheatre, a 400-seat studio theatre, and a 250-seat jazz venue, with a combined capacity of more than 6,000 seats. Gehry’s design is envisioned as a living expression of music and performance, with a flowing, fabric-inspired exterior and a transparent façade that invites visitors into the artistic process.
Commenting on the project, His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, described Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi as a long-term investment in artistic expression that will bring together leading artists and creative talent from the UAE, the region, and around the world, while expanding opportunities for cultural exchange, inspiring future generations of creatives, and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global centre for creativity and artistic excellence.
Building on Abu Dhabi’s established cultural landscape, Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi will further reinforce the emirate’s commitment to culture, heritage, and creativity as drivers of social, intellectual, and economic development. Beyond its cultural significance, the institution is also expected to create jobs, develop local creative talent and skills, attract cultural tourism, and contribute to the continued growth of Abu Dhabi’s creative economy.
