His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has attended the unveiling of the Dubai Museum of Art (DUMA).
The Dubai Museum of Art is a visionary project to be developed by the Al-Futtaim Group that is set to become a new architectural and cultural landmark. His Highness reviewed the museum’s distinctive designs by world-renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The project has been developed to enrich Dubai’s creative landscape.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Ruler of Dubai, Vice President & Prime Minister – UAE
“Culture and art are the soul of a city and a lens through which its progress is seen. They reflect its vision and the depth of its humanitarian mission. The Dubai Museum of Art will be a new beacon for the city, enhancing its arts scene and further strengthening its global cultural status. Dubai has become a destination of choice for creatives from around the world, home to communities and industries working together to accelerate the growth of the creative economy. This new cultural landmark advances our strategic goal to position Dubai as a global hub for creativity and culture, and cements its place on the modern art map.”
The Dubai Museum of Art will be developed on the waters of Dubai Creek. It embodies Dubai’s vision to cement its status as a global capital of the creative economy and reflects the emirate’s growing cultural and artistic momentum.
The museum’s design blends the essence of deep-rooted local culture with modern architecture. It emphasizes the key qualities of symbolic meaning, human-centered dimensions, dynamic purpose, and strong appeal to artists and art enthusiasts, offering a sensory experience that transcends the confines of physical space.
Rising five stories above the water, the Dubai Art Museum will feature adaptable exhibition galleries across the first and second floors, a restaurant and VIP lounge on the third floor, as well as ground and basement levels.
Beyond its exhibitions, the Dubai Museum of Art will host artist talks, panel discussions, educational programs, and art fairs. Purpose-built event spaces and a dedicated VIP lounge will enable a curated calendar of cultural programming that fosters learning, dialogue, and creative innovation.
Mohammed bin Rashid attends the unveiling of the Dubai Museum of Art (DUMA), a visionary project to be developed by Al-Futtaim as an architectural and cultural landmark that will join Dubai’s iconic skyline and enrich its creative landscape. pic.twitter.com/lNzzcTAE6W
Omar Al Futtaim, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Al-Futtaim Group, said that, “It is an honor to be part of this exceptional cultural creation, which embodies the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to position Dubai as a global hub for culture and creativity. For us, the Dubai Museum of Arts (DUMA) is more than an architectural landmark; it is a cultural statement that reflects Dubai’s openness to creativity and affirms its role in connecting cultures and celebrating talent from around the world.
Set to become a new cultural symbol on the Dubai Creek, the museum captures Dubai’s spirit, open to the vast sea and sky, and in harmony with its natural surroundings.
The architecture is inspired by the sea and the pearl, symbols of Dubai’s heritage and spirit. The museum’s curved shell encloses a circular exhibition hall that represents unity, discovery, and continuity. A central cylindrical opening allows natural light to cascade through the structure, evoking the gentle shimmer of a pearl.
To deepen its educational impact, the museum will include a library and study rooms, as well as world-class training programs designed to nurture future generations of creative leaders.
The designer of DUMA is Tadao Ando, who is a 1995 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, widely regarded as the Nobel Prize for Architecture, and has received numerous other prestigious accolades throughout his career.
His signature philosophy emphasizes deep integration between architecture and environment. Among his notable projects are Japan’s Chichu Art Museum, the Bourse de Commerce in Paris, France, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth in Texas, USA.
