Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), launched the Museum of Digital Art (MODA), marking the region’s first institution dedicated to digital art and emerging technologies. The museum will be located within the DIFC Zabeel District expansion project.
“The Museum of Digital Art reflects Dubai’s long-term vision of culture as a catalyst for innovation, knowledge, and human connection. As the first institution of its kind in the region, it marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Dubai’s cultural ecosystem and reinforces our commitment to shaping a future where creativity and technology converge to expand the boundaries of artistic expression. The emirate’s cultural journey has been defined by openness, ambition, and a belief in the transformative power of ideas, and today, we continue to build on that legacy by creating institutions and platforms that empower artists, nurture emerging talent, and create new pathways for cultural participation and exchange. In an increasingly digital world, museums must not only preserve heritage but also reimagine how culture is accessed and shared across generations and geographies,” Sheikha Latifa said in a statement.
“Through projects like the Museum of Digital Art, we are contributing to a cultural landscape that is future-focused, globally connected, and grounded in creativity, knowledge exchange, and opportunity,” she added.
The announcement was made to coincide with the 20th edition of Art Dubai.
Spanning five floors, MODA will bring together permanent and temporary exhibitions, immersive experiences, educational programmes, and research initiatives. DIFC will lead the museum’s physical development, while Dubai Culture will manage its operations and cultural direction. The building was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture.
“For more than two decades, DIFC has played an important role in shaping Dubai’s standing as a global centre for art and culture, creating a platform where creativity, commerce, and community intersect. The Museum of Digital Art represents a natural evolution of DIFC’s art legacy and reflects our commitment to advancing Dubai’s cultural ambitions through innovation and future focused, globally relevant experiences,” Essa Kazim, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) further explained.
DIFC is also rolling out a broader arts strategy intended to guide the district’s cultural programming over the next 20 years. Under that strategy, existing programmes including the Sculpture Park, Art Nights, and Satellite Gallery will be unified into a single annual calendar.
The museum will also develop a digital twin to allow global access and remote interaction with its collections, and will feature dedicated educational spaces aligned with Dubai Culture’s mandate to support the creative economy. MODA is framed as contributing to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy.
“The museum is an interactive space where creativity meets advanced technology, fostering innovation among artists and giving them the room to develop ideas and strengthen their place in the cultural landscape. At Dubai Culture, we remain committed to building an ecosystem that keeps pace with the transformations taking place around the world by investing in projects that bring culture and technology closer together, support the growth of the cultural and creative industries, and open research platforms for cross-border dialogue. We are also focused on creating spaces that inspire future generations and reinforce Dubai’s position as a global hub for the creative economy,” Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture said.
“DIFC’s new arts strategy builds upon our long-established credentials as Dubai’s home for art and culture. This launches a new cultural chapter for us, with the Museum of Digital Art serving as a key cultural anchor within the district’s mixed-use expansion, DIFC Zabeel District. We are thrilled to further strengthen DIFC’s position as a global destination where finance, culture, and lifestyle intertwine,” Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority and Chairman of Art Dubai added.
