An artist's impression of DUMA, Dubai's upcoming floating museum. SUPPLIED

Dubai is set to add another masterpiece to its skyline — one that floats above the water. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has unveiled plans for the Dubai Museum of Art (DUMA), a new cultural landmark that will rise gracefully on Dubai Creek. Designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, the 1995 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, DUMA will feature five floors of modern art galleries, creative spaces, cafés, and a library. The floating structure will serve as a “mirror to Dubai’s civilisational spirit,” Sheikh Mohammed said in a post on X, describing it as “a museum that floats above the waters of Dubai Creek to enhance its brilliance and to reflect Dubai's culture and arts.” He added, “Cities are completed by culture and art, and flourish through the economy. They achieve harmony and sustainability when their private sector is responsible, participatory, and aligned with the public sector. And this is what we see in Dubai.” Sheikh Mohammed personally inspected the architectural models of the museum and praised businessman Abdullah Al Futtaim and his son Omar Al Futtaim for their role in developing what he called “a new cultural landmark that represents the private sector’s responsibility towards its community and the city that nurtures it.” Inspired by the sea and the pearl, DUMA’s design symbolizes unity and continuity. A curved shell encloses a circular exhibition hall, with a central opening that allows natural light to cascade through, resembling the shimmer of a pearl — a tribute to Dubai’s rich pearl-diving heritage. Beyond exhibitions, the museum will host artist talks, panel discussions, workshops, and art fairs, serving as a platform for creativity and global dialogue. Its strategic location in Dubai Creek will make it an unmissable destination for locals and tourists alike. Once complete, DUMA will join Dubai’s growing list of architectural icons — including the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Frame, and Museum of the Future — reinforcing Dubai’s vision as a city where innovation, art, and heritage coexist. ICA/Expat Media
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