In a defining moment for Dubai’s cultural landscape, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the Dubai Museum of Art (DUMA) on October 25, 2025. Developed by the Al-Futtaim Group and designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, the museum stands on the waters of Dubai Creek as a new architectural and cultural landmark.

The Dubai Museum of Art represents the city’s ongoing effort to establish itself as a global center for creativity and innovation. Conceived under Sheikh Mohammed’s vision to make Dubai a leading destination for artists and creative industries, DUMA is intended to strengthen the city’s position in the international art community. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, and artist exchanges, the museum will serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among artists from around the world.

Architecturally, the museum reflects both heritage and modernity. Ando’s design—defined by clean geometry, light, and natural materials—draws inspiration from Dubai’s maritime history. The building’s curved shell, modeled after the form of a pearl, encases a circular exhibition hall symbolizing unity and discovery. A central oculus channels natural light through the space, recalling the shimmer of the sea that has long defined Dubai’s identity.

The five-storey structure includes adaptable galleries, a restaurant, and dedicated spaces for educational programs, discussions, and art fairs. Facilities such as a library, study rooms, and training programs are designed to support creative learning and the professional growth of emerging artists.

Tadao Ando, the 1995 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, is known for integrating architecture with its natural surroundings through minimalist concrete forms and controlled light. His notable works include the Chichu Art Museum in Japan, the Bourse de Commerce in Paris, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth in Texas.

With the Dubai Museum of Art, the city adds a new dimension to its evolving identity—one rooted in cultural ambition and openness to global artistic exchange.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev Macambira

Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.