Valerie Hillings appointed inaugural director of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi

Valerie Hillings, the current director of the North Carolina Museum of Art, has been named the first director of the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Hillings took on the role of the NCMA in 2018, overseeing impressive growth and leading the largest private fundraising campaign in the museum's history. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, situated on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, is set to open on December 11th.

The museum will focus on showcasing art from the 1960s to the present, aiming to foster cultural connections and inspire visitors. Hillings previously served as a curator and associate director of curatorial affairs for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi project from 2009 to 2018, where she managed the museum's collection strategy and acquisitions.

In her statement, Hillings expressed her delight at returning to Abu Dhabi to helm the establishment of this prestigious museum. Stephanie Rosenthal, the current Guggenheim Abu Dhabi project director, praised Hillings for her contributions to the artistic vision and overall development of the museum since joining in 2022. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi team is composed exclusively of women, including Hillings, who has been appointed as the inaugural director.