Kuwait's Cultural Hub Shines Bright: Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre

Launched to glorious fanfare in October 2016, the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre (JACC) is a dazzling showcase for the performing arts and world-class theatre quarter set within spacious parkland. Forming part of Kuwait’s new national cultural district, the bold, forward-thinking design of JACC has made it an iconic architectural landmark, forever changing the capital city’s skyline.

The cultural centre includes state-of-the-art theatres, concert halls, cinemas, conference and exhibition halls and a library archive. The four buildings are accessed from spacious entrance courtyards and sit like shining, faceted jewels within a larger public park. The key buildings of the complex are the Theatre Centre, Music Centre, Conference Centre, and National Library for Historical Documents, all set within a National Park for Kuwait. JACC regularly attracts leading global performers and shows, such as CATS the musical, Sting, and the London Symphony Orchestra, as well as cultural favourites from Kuwait and the MENA region. It also acts as a springboard for new, home-grown talent and serves as a major national and international focal point for the arts.

The Vision:

The Amiri Diwan’s vision behind the centre was inspired by the desire to explore the heritage of Kuwait, experience and build on the Kuwait of today, and imagine its future, while also creating a leading social and creative hub for Kuwait and the MENA region. The mission was to provide a world-class stage for international and local musical, cinematic, theatrical and operatic performances within a landmark design.

The client’s brief was also to create a signature design that would punctuate the skyline of Kuwait for generations to come. The ambition was to create a new architectural reference for the Middle East, with technical and multifunctional theatres to establish it as one of the state-of-the-art performance venues for the world. Ultimately, the aim was to offer residents and visitors of Kuwait City a destination for performing arts, music and conferences.

The Concept: