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Revolutionising the art and culture landscape

Abu Dhabi - Museums and galleries housed in iconic architectural landmarks hold potential for Abu Dhabi's future in fine arts

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Abu Dhabi will be putting the finishing touches to a host of landmark developments in the next few years for a cultural experience. Art and culture are at the heart of Abu Dhabi's unique strategy to attract visitors from all over the world.
The capital will be home to the likes of Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim, Zayed National Museum, and the Maritime Museum and Performing Arts Centre, which are key to increasing the emirate's art appeal. These will be based in Saadiyat Island's Cultural District, and once open, it will not only boost Abu Dhabi's art scene on a global scale, but also gather culture seekers and art aficionados onto one platform.

Representing the world The seventh edition of Abu Dhabi Art is scheduled to take place from November 18 to 21 at Manarat Al Saadiyat. The event offers a multi-disciplinary experience combining an art fair with a diverse programme, which includes artworks on display as well as engaging talks. It will offer a public programme that connects with the wider community through a dynamic performing arts programme, talks and community initiatives, alongside an art fair that will include works by a number of celebrated artists and emerging exhibiting galleries as well as other initiatives that support upcoming artists. The exhibiting galleries at the event will showcase some of the world's most innovative and exceptional artworks. It is divided into different categories such as Signature, a solo show presented by participating galleries; Beyond, which provides a public art platform for large-scale sculptures and installations; and Artists' Waves, that gives the public an opportunity to discover less-known artists and their works.

Besides standing out in terms of the scale of the project, these cultural attractions will be unique to the region, offering a different approach when compared to art offerings in Dubai. Once completed, the Saadiyat Cultural District will draw local, regional and international visitors with unique exhibitions, permanent collections, productions and performances. Furthermore, the museums will be housed in iconic architectural landmarks that have been designed by globally renowned architects and are considered works of art themselves.

Museums galore

Here is a look at the different museums set to open soon in the capital and revolutionise the art scene in the region.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi: Designed by the internationally renowned architect Frank Gehry, the 450,000-square-foot museum will house its own modern and contemporary art collection and showcase special exhibitions including works from the Guggenheim Foundation's extensive collection. The museum will be the largest Guggenheim in the world and have global art, exhibitions, and education programmes with a special focus on Middle Eastern contemporary art. It is scheduled to open in 2017.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi: It was recently announced that its opening was pushed to the end of 2016. The reportedly $1-billion project that has been designed by award-winning architect Jean Nouvel, will encompass 9,200 square metres of art galleries. The 6,68- square-metre Permanent Gallery will house the museum's lasting collection while the Temporary Gallery will be a dedicated space of 2,364 square metres presenting contemporary exhibitions.
The Zayed National Museum: This museum is dedicated to the legacy of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE, and will tell the tale of the unification of the emirates, the long history of the region and its cultural connections across the world. The museum, expected to open in 2016, will be a centre of learning and discussion that will make for an engaging experience. It will inspire visitors through a number of different exhibitions, performances, activities and workshops.
Miraj Museum: The recently opened museum showcases Islamic art and culture from across the world. It features the heritage and lifestyle of the people with hand-woven carpets, jewellery, paintings, calligraphy, and antique gold, among many other pieces of work. According to sources, the museum showcases exclusive art, with some of the works on display aged 100 years or older.
Warehouse421: This is the latest addition to Abu Dhabi's art scene that is scheduled to open soon. It is a converted storage unit near the capital's old port that will host performances, exhibitions as well as workshops.
With so much and more happening, these different venues, each with their own ethos, offer a number of possibilities. Further, being a cosmopolitan city it provides artists with opportunities to explore Abu Dhabi as an important destination to showcase their work. These continuous developments will ensure that the art scene in the capital flourishes and offers residents and tourists the chance to experience all that the capital has to offer.