Elie Khouri Art Foundation to open in Dubai in 2028

The Elie Khouri Art Foundation plans to establish its permanent home in Dubai in late 2028, converting an existing villa in Jumeirah 1 into a contemporary art institution. French-Lebanese collector and entrepreneur Elie Khouri founded the foundation, which will include exhibition galleries, educational spaces, pavilions, gardens, and areas for public gatherings and cultural events.

Architect Sumayya Vally, known for her work on the Serpentine Pavilion and the Islamic Arts Biennale, will design the building, drawing inspiration from Beirut's streets and traditional Gulf courtyard houses. The foundation aims to blend domestic spaces with public cultural institutions and maintain a connection to the neighbourhood.

Counterspace, led by Vally, will transform the villa while preserving its domestic character. The institution will open with exhibitions from Khouri's collection and collaborate with museums and curators to expand its offerings. Khouri hopes the foundation will become a lasting cultural legacy in Dubai, making contemporary art accessible to everyone.