The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi has appointed Valerie Hillings as its inaugural director, marking another major step toward the institution’s planned opening on December 11.

Hillings is a familiar name within the Guggenheim network, having previously spent five years working at the Guggenheim Museum in New York before joining the Abu Dhabi project in 2008.

Hillings’ Long History With Guggenheim Abu Dhabi

Hillings joined the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi project as a curator and associate director of curatorial affairs.

She worked closely with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi through 2018, helping establish the institution’s acquisition strategy and develop its curatorial direction.

Her work focused particularly on building a collection representing artistic developments across West Asia, North Africa and South Asia from 1960 onward.

Building a Global Art Institution

The appointment comes as Guggenheim Abu Dhabi moves closer to opening its doors and establishing itself as a major cultural institution in the region.

The museum is expected to expand the Guggenheim’s international presence while placing greater emphasis on modern and contemporary art from regions historically underrepresented in major Western museum collections.

Hillings’ previous experience with the project and her knowledge of its collection strategy make her a significant choice to lead the institution into its next phase.

Her appointment signals the Guggenheim’s confidence in the vision developed for Abu Dhabi and brings the museum one step closer to its highly anticipated opening.