Cultural Foundation, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, will present a wide programme of performances, exhibitions, and public activities from January to May 2026. The season continues the Foundation’s role in shaping Abu Dhabi’s cultural offer.
The programme includes ballet, theatre, music, film, and Emirati productions. It also features a major new exhibition, a mid-career retrospective of artist Shezad Dawood, and a full calendar of learning programmes. Community activities, art studios, and children’s services remain central to the Foundation’s work.
Performances
The season opens in January with two productions by the Russian State Ballet Mari El, presented with Art For All. Romeo and Juliet will be staged on 9 January, followed by Cinderella on 10 January. Both productions combine classical choreography, detailed sets, and family-friendly storytelling.
Younger audiences can attend stage adaptations of Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book by Julia Donaldson on 23 and 24 January. Presented with Art For All, the production focuses on storytelling, rhythm, and audience engagement.
From 17 January to 1 February, the programme includes “Journey of Emirati Music: From Cassette to Digital – The Evolution of Emirati Sound” as part of Al Hosn Festival. The project traces the development of Emirati music through recordings, installations, and live performances.
On 7 February, composer Iyad Rimawi will perform with a full orchestra and vocalists. The concert is presented in partnership with Art For All.
A screening of Akram Khan’s Giselle by the English National Ballet will take place on 15 February. Presented with the British Embassy UAE, the film offers a contemporary interpretation of the classic ballet.
Cultural Foundation will present “Reema: Queen of the Desert” on 27 March. The Emirati theatre production explores themes of courage, identity, and the relationship between people and nature.
On 11 April, the programme includes “Riyahiyat”, a women-only participatory musical experience led by Lamia Riahi and presented with Highways Arabia.
May opens with Boom Diwan on 1 May, presenting contemporary Khaleeji Jazz with newly composed works. This is followed by The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers on 8 and 9 May, presented with Center Stage Arts.
The performance season concludes with the European Film Festival 2026 from 19 to 24 May, presented with the European Delegation to the UAE.
Exhibitions
On 26 March, Cultural Foundation will open ‘Skin of Dreams’, the first mid-career retrospective of Shezad Dawood. Curated by Jessica Cerasi, the exhibition includes over 40 works produced over 15 years, spanning painting, sculpture, film, and virtual reality.
The exhibition title refers to the cinema screen and reflects the link between imagination and reality. Dawood’s work draws on research across architecture, ecology, history, and technology, with many pieces rooted in South Asian traditions.
The exhibition responds to Cultural Foundation’s architectural design, creating a dialogue between the works and the building.
The ongoing exhibitions ‘Two Clouds in the Night Sky’ and ‘And After’ will remain on view until 22 February. These explore nature, process, and the element of air through works by regional and international artists.
Public Programmes
Cultural Foundation will deliver a full programme of talks, tours, workshops, and community events. The open call for the Art Residency programme remains open until 31 January and offers a six-month research and production opportunity.
Abu Dhabi Children’s Library
The Abu Dhabi Children’s Library, located within Cultural Foundation, serves children up to 14 years old. It offers multilingual collections and learning spaces that combine heritage, creativity, and future skills.
The library runs daily activities and special programmes focused on reading, arts, and exploration. In line with 2026 as the Year of Family, it will introduce family-focused workshops centred on the Art of Parenting.
Art Studios
Cultural Foundation’s art studios, Al Marsam Al Hor and Bait Al Khatt, continue to offer courses and workshops for adults and children. Disciplines include painting, sculpture, pottery, fashion, sewing, and Arabic calligraphy.
Cultural Foundation offers free entry, with tickets required for selected events. Opening hours are Saturday to Thursday, 9am to 8pm, and Friday, 2pm to 8pm. Details are available at culturalfoundation.ae.