Guggenheim Honours Mohamed Al Mubarak at Annual Gala in New York

The recognition highlights his role in supporting arts and culture and his partnership in developing the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open next December.

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation honoured Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, at its annual gala in New York, in recognition of his role in supporting arts and culture and his partnership in developing the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open next December.

Held on 10 November at the Guggenheim Museum, the event, titled “Under the Dome: Celebrating Visionaries”, also honoured American artist Alex Katz. The programme included a tour of an exhibition by artist Taryn Simon, followed by a dinner and artistic performance. It also featured a tribute to the late architect Frank Gehry, who designed the Abu Dhabi museum.

Al Mubarak said the recognition reflects a shared belief in the value of art and its ability to broaden horizons, foster understanding and bring people together. He added: “In Abu Dhabi, we have sought to build cultural institutions rooted in our identity, open to the world and designed to serve future generations.”

He noted that Guggenheim Abu Dhabi embodies this vision, providing a space where artists and audiences from diverse backgrounds can come together and exchange ideas.

The recognition comes just weeks ahead of the museum’s opening in the Saadiyat Cultural District, marking a new milestone in the partnership between Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim Foundation. The museum will feature 28 indoor galleries spanning a total area of 11,600 square metres, alongside outdoor exhibition spaces covering up to 23,000 square metres. It will showcase modern and contemporary artworks from diverse regions and cultures.

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is scheduled to open on 11 December 2026. It will join a number of cultural institutions on Saadiyat Island, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and the Natural History Museum, as part of a district bringing together art, history, science and heritage.

The foundation’s annual gala is one of its major fundraising events, with proceeds dedicated to supporting exhibitions, educational programmes and the preservation of its art collection.