Guggenheim Abu Dhabi has officially named Valerie Hillings as its inaugural director and chief executive. She steps into this role ahead of the museum's scheduled opening on December 11, where she will lead strategic operations and oversee the launch exhibitions and public programming.
Hillings is a familiar face to the project. She previously served as the curator and associate director of curatorial affairs for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi from 2009 to 2018. During that time, she worked closely with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi on collection strategy and the development of the Frank Gehry-designed building. Since 2018, she has led the North Carolina Museum of Art, a tenure marked by the acquisition of 400 new works and a significant rise in visitor numbers.
The new museum is a major addition to the Saadiyat Cultural District. It stands as the largest institution within the global Guggenheim network, covering 80,000 square meters. The gallery space spans 11,600 square meters, providing a venue for a collection focused on modern and contemporary art from the 1960s to the present day. Visitors will see works by figures like Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol displayed alongside artists from the Arab world, Africa, and Asia.
Hillings holds a doctorate in art history from New York University and brings a deep understanding of the museum's mission to the position. Her return to the UAE marks a key phase in the institution's history as it prepares to welcome local and international audiences to the capital.