The Dubai Museum of Art (DUMA) was launched on 25 October 2025 in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The project will be developed by the Al-Futtaim Group on the waters of Dubai Creek.
Designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, DUMA is planned as a new cultural and architectural landmark. The project supports Dubai’s goal of becoming a global centre for culture, creativity and innovation.
The museum will feature exhibitions, educational programs and events to strengthen Dubai’s position on the global art map. It will provide a platform for international and regional artists to exchange ideas and promote creative collaboration.
The structure’s design draws inspiration from the sea and the pearl, symbolizing Dubai’s heritage. A curved shell encloses a circular exhibition hall, while a central opening allows natural light into the building. The museum will rise five stories above the water, with exhibition galleries on the first and second floors and dining and VIP areas on the third.
Facilities will include event spaces, a library, study rooms and training programs to support education and skill development in the arts.
Tadao Ando, a 1995 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, is recognized for his minimalist designs that integrate light, nature and spatial balance. His past projects include Japan’s Chichu Art Museum, the Bourse de Commerce in Paris and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth in Texas.