The Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi is a landmark cultural institution designed to foster cross-cultural dialogue and intellectual growth. It features a unique architectural design that blends Arab-Islamic style with modern aspirations, making it a distinctive and prestigious location for any event.

The Cultural Foundation sits opposite Qasr Al Hosn. Located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, between Zayed the First Street, Khaled Bin Waleed Street, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street (5th Street) and Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed St (2nd Street).

Key Landmarks

The Cultural Foundation sits opposite Qasr Al Hosn. Located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, between Zayed the First Street, Khaled Bin Waleed Street, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street (5th Street) and Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed St (2nd Street).

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The Cultural Foundation's history dates back to 1971, when it was established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan. His vision was to create a cultural institution that would serve as a vital building block for the nation's society, nurturing heritage and the arts, and promoting cross-cultural dialogue and a culture of tolerance. The goal was to foster a cultural awakening and preserve traditional culture and heritage for future generations.

To bring this vision to life, an international competition was launched in 1973 to select the best architectural design. The winning design was created by The Architects' Collaborative (TAC), a firm originally founded by Walter Gropius. The design featured a three-winged building centered around a courtyard, and a young Iraqi architect, Hisham Al Ashkouri, was brought in to lead the project and finalize the detailed designs. The Cultural Foundation opened in 1981, becoming home to the nation's first National Library, a performance auditorium, and an exhibition center. Since its grand opening, the institution has gained regional and international acclaim as a premier venue for culture and the arts, and the building itself is now a registered modern heritage landmark in Abu Dhabi.