His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has unveiled plans for the Dubai Museum of Art (DUMA), a landmark cultural project that will float above the waters of Dubai Creek. The announcement, made on October 25, 2025, marks a significant milestone in Dubai’s cultural evolution as it seeks to cement its position as a global capital of creativity and the arts.
Developed by the Al-Futtaim Group, DUMA is designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Tadao Ando, renowned for his minimalist concrete structures that harmonize nature through masterful use of light, shadow, and spatial balance. Ando’s celebrated works include the Chichu Art Museum in Japan, the Bourse de Commerce in Paris, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
The museum’s distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the sea and the pearl—two enduring symbols of Dubai’s maritime heritage. Its curved shell encloses a circular exhibition hall representing unity, discovery, and continuity, while a central cylindrical opening allows natural light to cascade through the structure, evoking the gentle shimmer of a pearl. Rising five stories above the water on an island in Dubai Creek, DUMA will feature adaptable exhibition galleries across the first and second floors, a restaurant and VIP lounge on the third floor, and ground and basement levels.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the cultural significance of the project: “Culture and art are the soul of a city and a lens through which its progress is seen. They reflect its vision and the depth of its humanitarian mission. The Dubai Museum of Art will be a new beacon for the city, enhancing its arts scene and further strengthening its global cultural status”. He further noted that DUMA showcases the power of public-private partnerships to create world-class landmarks worthy of Dubai.
Omar Al Futtaim, Vice Chairman and CEO of the Al-Futtaim Group, described DUMA as “more than an architectural landmark”, calling it a cultural statement that reflects Dubai’s openness to creativity and its role in connecting cultures worldwide. He expressed particular pride in entrusting the design to Tadao Ando, whose architecture “speaks the language of light, silence, and soul”.
Beyond exhibitions, DUMA will function as a comprehensive cultural hub, hosting artist talks, panel discussions, educational programs, and art fairs. The museum will include a library, study rooms, and world-class training programs designed to nurture future generations of creative leaders. Its collection will showcase modern and contemporary art curated to reflect Dubai’s creative diversity, bringing together established and emerging voices to foster empathy, curiosity, and social transformation.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries including Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee; Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; and His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs.
With DUMA, Dubai continues to expand its cultural infrastructure, joining iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, Museum of the Future, and Mohammed bin Rashid Library. The project reinforces the emirate’s ambition to become a destination where global artists, designers, and innovators converge, advancing Dubai’s strategic goal to position itself as a leading hub for creativity and the modern art map.
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