Dubai has announced plans for its first museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art, the Dubai Museum of Art (DUMA), designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Located along Dubai Creek, the five-story museum will feature a curved shell inspired by the sea and pearl, with a central roof opening, library, study rooms, and flexible spaces for art fairs. The project is developed by the Al-Futtaim Group with support from Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. No opening date has been set.
This development marks a significant step in Dubai's ambition to become a global art hub, joining other infrastructure projects like Askeral Avenue and the Museum of the Future. It comes as the Gulf's art ecosystem undergoes major shifts, with Frieze taking over Abu Dhabi Art in 2026 and Art Basel launching in Qatar the same year. However, the announcement also highlights ongoing scrutiny of regional human rights records, as the UAE faces condemnation over alleged involvement in Sudan's conflict.