Dubai is adding another architectural marvel to its skyline, one that will float on water. The city is set to welcome the Dubai Museum of Art (DUMA), an extraordinary cultural landmark that will quite literally rise above the waters of Dubai Creek, blending artistic brilliance with architectural innovation. Announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the museum will serve as a new global hub for modern art and a testament to Dubai’s growing stature as a capital of creativity and culture.
DUMA: Dubai’s new floating museum
Sheikh Mohammed revealed the project through a post on X, describing DUMA as “a museum that floats above the waters of Dubai Creek to enhance its brilliance and to reflect Dubai’s civilisational spirit and serve as a mirror to its culture and arts.” He added that the new landmark would “add a new diversity to its landmarks and the canvas of its architectural beauty.” Inspecting the models of the planned museum, Sheikh Mohammed expressed appreciation for businessman Abdullah Al Futtaim and his son Omar Al Futtaim, crediting them for their role in developing what he called a “new cultural landmark … which represents a model for the private sector’s responsibility towards its community and the city that nurtures it.” He went on to write: “Cities are completed by culture and art … and flourish through the economy … and achieve harmony and entrench their sustainability when their private sector is responsible, participatory, and aligned with its public sector. And this is what we see in Dubai.”
A floating masterpiece inspired by nature and heritage
Designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, DUMA is envisioned as a “captivating, one-of-a-kind architectural design”, according to the Dubai Media Office. The museum’s structure will “float” elegantly on Dubai Creek, embodying elements drawn from water, sky, wind, and light, a fusion that mirrors the city’s harmony between innovation and nature. The building itself is designed as a symbolic shell and pearl, a tribute to Dubai’s deep-rooted pearl diving heritage that once defined its coastal identity. Beyond its striking exterior, the museum will feature five floors showcasing works by both renowned and emerging artists from around the world, reinforcing its role as a space that celebrates both global and local creativity. Complementing its exhibition halls, DUMA will also include a library for learning and training, a restaurant and café, and artistic spaces overlooking Dubai Creek — all envisioned to make the museum not just a venue, but an immersive experience.
A destination where the world gathers for art
More than a traditional museum, DUMA is conceived as a living, breathing cultural destination — a place where “the world gathers for art and culture” and where visitors can engage with captivating artistic and human experiences. Set on an island in the heart of Dubai Creek, the project is positioned to strengthen Dubai’s reputation as “the capital of modern art and a global destination for creativity,” as Sheikh Mohammed shared in his announcement.His post, which featured images and video renderings of the project, quickly drew international attention,, and as construction begins, DUMA is set to join Dubai’s defining landmarks such as the towering Burj Khalifa, the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, the Dubai Frame, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, the Museum of the Future, and more — all reflecting the city’s vision to unite innovation, art, and identity.
