Sheikh Mohamed, the art lover who transformed Abu Dhabi’s landscape

Sheikh Mohamed, the art lover who transformed Abu Dhabi’s landscape

Among the many cultural initiatives that flourished in recent times is the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Published: Tue 17 May 2022, 7:52 AM

The UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has been instrumental in transforming the UAE Capital, Abu Dhabi, into a global centre of art and culture.

The iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi is a defining achievement, which is now a haven for creatives. The Capital, with several world-class spaces for art and artists, is today a glowing example of a 21st century city. The opening of Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in the future will add more feathers in its cap.

Back in the early 80s, the Capital had two venues for artists: The Cultural Foundation and the National Theatre. Those two centres, both opened in 1981, were hubs for artists to showcase their works.

The National Theatre, the region’s biggest auditorium, staged plays, screened movies, and hosted conferences and exhibitions. The Cultural Foundation housed the first National Library, along with a performance auditorium and an exhibition centre. And in 1996, the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation was established, supporting artists and cultural industry.

Radical transformation

The city’s art scene witnessed radical transformation in the past two decades or so,