Louvre Abu Dhabi Unveils 2026–2027 Exhibition Programme
The season explores board games, Indian Ocean trade, contemporary art and cultural heritage.
Louvre Abu Dhabi has revealed its 2026–2027 exhibition programme, bringing together four major exhibitions exploring board games, Indian Ocean trade routes, contemporary art and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Running from July 2026 to April 2027, the season combines archaeological artefacts, international loans, contemporary commissions and immersive installations to examine how people, objects and ideas have moved across cultures through play, trade, artistic practice and conservation.
The programme opens on July 18th with 'A Board Game Adventure' at the Children's Museum, tracing the histories of games including chess, carrom, ludo and mancala through around 30 objects from the museum's collection alongside regional and international loans, including examples from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
From October 14th to February 14th, 2027, 'Spices and Wonders: Sailing the Indian Ocean', developed in partnership with France's Guimet – National Museum of Asian Arts, will explore the maritime trade routes that connected Africa, the Middle East and Europe with South and South-East Asia from Antiquity to the 17th century through objects including spices, textiles and ceramics.
'Art Here 2026' and the Richard Mille Art Prize will run from November 11th to February 28th, 2027. Curated under the theme 'Confluences', the exhibition will feature shortlisted contemporary artists from the Gulf Cooperation Council, including citizens and residents, while welcoming Indian nationals for the first time.
Opening on November 23rd, 'Living Legacies. Protecting Heritage. Building Hope', created in partnership with the Aliph Foundation, will highlight efforts to preserve cultural heritage in challenging environments through artefacts, immersive projections and personal testimonies.
The season will also include curator talks, a symposium, film screenings, performances, workshops and family activities, with each exhibition accompanied by a trilingual catalogue, guided tours and educational resources.
