Be moved in a thousand ways at Abu Dhabi’s new cultural district

The Saadiyat Cultural District is opening in 2025 with iconic museums and immersive art experiences.

Artist’s impression of the art space teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, which will offer visitors a multi-sensory experience.
Artist’s impression of the art space teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, which will offer visitors a multi-sensory experience. Photo Credit: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District is on track for completion by 2025, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi.

Nestled within Saadiyat Island (which translates to “Island of Happiness”, the cultural district aims to be a global platform emanating Abu Dhabi’s rich cultural heritage, celebrating the destination’s traditions, and showcasing museums, collections, and narratives celebrating the region’s heritage while promoting a diverse global cultural landscape.

The cultural district will feature landmarks including the Zayed National Museum, which is the national museum of the UAE, and will celebrate the nation’s history and culture as well as honour the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was the founding father of the UAE.

Another such addition to the cultural district will be the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, a planned art museum that is slated to be the largest of the Guggenheim museums, and will feature a collection focusing on modern and contemporary art from West Asia, North Africa and South Asia.

Meanwhile, past, present and future come together with art space teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi by bridging technology, art and nature to take visitors on an immersive art experience that will “transcend the limits of their imagination”, and the Natural History Museum offering visitors a journey through time and highlighting the interconnectedness of all living things.

At present, construction progress of these soon-to-open institutions in the district stand at 76%. These landmarks will join the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which first opened in 2017 and is known for its iconic dome that casts an enchanting “rain of light” beneath it and symbolises the bridge between different cultures, eras and stories.

DCT Abu Dhabi has also launched a campaign titled “Be Moved in a Thousand Ways”, introduced by talk show host and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey. The campaign film delivers a message on the power of culture to unite, inspire, and open minds.

“Our new campaign, previewing the future of the district, is just a glimpse of the collective brilliance and creative genius of our teams and partners in bringing this vision to life,” said Nouf Mohamed Al-Bushlaibi, executive director of the strategic marketing & communications sector at DCT Abu Dhabi.

“Saadiyat Cultural District is born from vision… Together, honouring that legacy, DCT Abu Dhabi and our partners are dedicated to bridging cultural divides and ensuring Abu Dhabi plays a pivotal role in the evolving global cultural landscape.”