Abu Dhabi unveils Dar al Funoon, a major performing arts centre set to open in 2030

His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, witnessed the launch of the Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi (House of the Arts) development project on Thursday, marking the emirate’s latest investment in cultural infrastructure.

Located near the Saadiyat Cultural District and scheduled to open in 2030, the venue will be one of the region’s largest and most technologically advanced performing arts centres, offering year-round programming spanning opera, ballet, theatre, jazz and other live performances.

Commissioned by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and designed by the late architect Frank Gehry, 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, providing a combined capacity of more than 6,000.

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.

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.

The venue will serve as a permanent home for international productions while supporting artistic residencies, touring partnerships and co-productions with leading performing arts institutions worldwide. It is also intended to create new opportunities for Emirati and regional artists through collaboration with global creative organizations.

Designed with a transparent façade inspired by music and the performing arts, the project reflects Abu Dhabi’s vision of openness, creativity and cultural exchange. Gehry, who also designed the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, conceived the building as a new cultural landmark within the emirate.

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.

Beyond live performances, the venue will host educational programs, workshops and community initiatives aimed at increasing public participation in the arts and supporting the development of local creative talent.

The project is also expected to contribute to the emirate’s creative economy by supporting cultural tourism, attracting 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 landmarks including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi and the forthcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global destination for culture, arts and knowledge.