The Barjeel Art Foundation has officially broken ground on its first permanent museum in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, with a scheduled opening for January 2028. Founded by Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, the 38,750-square-foot facility will be designed by Abdelmoneam Essa of Architecture Corner Consultants, featuring a design inspired by the traditional architecture of the Al Rigga neighborhood.
This development marks a significant transition for one of the world's most important collections of modern and contemporary Arab art from a lending foundation to a localized cultural landmark. By establishing a dedicated physical space, the foundation solidifies its mission to preserve regional heritage and foster cross-cultural dialogue, building on its history of international loans and digital initiatives to provide a permanent home for SWANA region art history.