Abu Dhabi has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the New York-based Guggenheim Foundation to establish a world-class museum called the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (GAD) devoted to modern and contemporary art.

The museum, designed by internationally-acclaimed architect Frank Gehry, will position the emirate as a leading international cultural destination.
At 30,000 sq m, the Abu Dhabi museum will be the only Guggenheim museum in the region and will be larger than any existing Guggenheim worldwide.
The museum, expected to be constructed within five years, will form its own major collection of contemporary art and will also exhibit masterworks from the Guggenheim Foundation’s global collections.
It will be built in the Cultural District – one of the six zones of the island – which will also be home to national, classical art and maritime museums, a performing arts centre and an expansive arts centre park.
“The signing represents the determination of the Abu Dhabi Government to create a world-class cultural destination for its residents and visitors,” says Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and member of the Executive Council. “It also demonstrates the commitment of UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to demonstrably establish this emirate as a quality destination of international standing, one capable of achieving and maintaining relationships with the very highest calibre of global partners.”
“This is a major step forward in our plans for Saadiyat Island and its Cultural District which will become an international cultural hub for the Middle East on par with the best in the world. The signing also represents a significant development in the creation and nurturing of international cultural ties which we believe will do much to forge greater understanding between all nations,” he adds.
Abu Dhabi’s museum will join a highly exclusive Guggenheim museum network, which currently includes New York and Las Vegas in the US, Venice in Italy, Bilbao in Spain and Berlin in Germany.