MUSEUMS FOR TOMORROW

Abu Dhabi aims to educate and inspire with an influx of new attractions, reflecting the region's vision for the future, says its Department of Culture and Tourism chairman

- BY MATTHEW TOSTEVIN

ABU DHABI IS STAKING ITS CLAIM AS A CULTURAL capital, unveiling landmark institutions at a breathtaking pace. In November 2025, the city celebrated the opening of its world-class Natural History Museum, followed in December by the spectacular Zayed National Museum—a tribute to the United Arab Emirates’ founding father. Earlier in 2025, visitors were captivated by teamLab Phenomena, an immersive art experience blending technology and creativity in breathtaking ways.

These additions join an already impressive lineup. Abu Dhabi boasts its own branch of Paris’ Louvre and, just a short walk away, construction is underway on a Guggenheim art museum that promises to redefine contemporary art in the region. Together, these landmarks are transforming the UAE’s capital into a destination where culture, innovation and heritage converge.

The museums are an increasing draw for visitors, but Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, told Newsweek that, more importantly, they are intended as educational centers—and they send a message of the UAE’s vision of itself and its place in the world at a time the country is playing a growing role in the Middle East and beyond.

“Many of the questions that come from abroad are, ‘Is this a tourism game?’ Of course, that comes from the knowledge that many of the European institutes and the global institutes do bring a lot of tourists,” Al Mubarak told Newsweek in an interview in Abu Dhabi.

“I’ll be lying to you if I tell you, tourists do not visit these museums. They do, but their sole purpose is to continuously educate the masses that live here in the UAE and play a role in their growth and at the same time, if we can play a role in the education and the growth of visitors from all over the world, great,” he said.