10 Best Museums in Abu Dhabi

So, what’s this place about?
Warehouse421, a large, industrial complex, houses a cultural center, art exhibits, and artist studios in the heart of the city's portside Al Mina district. The center skews toward contemporary art and design by U.A.E. artists, with a focus on creating—not just displaying.

How’s the space?
The outside is unassuming enough—palm trees line the walkway that leads to a towering warehouse structure. The inside is flooded with natural light, which streams in from glass skylights. The modern architecture makes the space feel like a work of art in itself.

The art’s the main thing, of course. How is it?
Rotating exhibits by local artists explore lofty concepts like hollowness and impermanence. International films, with an emphasis on filmmakers from the Middle East, are shown regularly, and readings and lectures bring the space to life. Art workshops also offer a way for visitors to dabble in creativity.

Did you meet anyone on staff? Did they make an impression?
Multilingual front-desk employees are ready to offer a primer about the space and its mission, then direct you to the highlights.

At the end of the day, what—or who—is this place best for? Warehouse421 is the perfect way to orient yourself with the local art scene in Abu Dhabi and the U.A.E. at large. It’s one of the only places around that combines workspace with exhibition space.