The New Museum in New York City is poised to open its expanded doors on March 21, 2026, marking a significant milestone for the institution. This ambitious 5,600-square-meter addition, meticulously crafted by OMA under the direction of Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas, in collaboration with Cooper Robertson, will effectively double the museum's overall area. This enlargement aims to substantially enhance the museum's capacity for showcasing art, hosting public engagements, and supporting artist-driven projects. The inaugural weekend, March 21st and 22nd, will feature complimentary admission, inviting the public to experience a revitalized space that reimagines visitor flow, accessibility, and the museum's connection to the surrounding urban landscape.
The architectural vision for the new wing respectfully complements the existing SANAA building, completed in 2007. Instead of altering the museum's distinctive tiered silhouette, the expansion extends vertically and internally. Key enhancements include the introduction of new circulation systems, such as three elevators, an expansive atrium staircase, and a re-envisioned entrance plaza, all designed to facilitate smoother movement across different levels and improve overall accessibility. The gallery space will also be doubled, enabling a broader and more diverse range of exhibitions. Furthermore, public amenities have been upgraded and relocated to the ground floor, now featuring a more spacious lobby, an enlarged bookstore, and a full-service restaurant with its own entrance from Freeman Alley.
The grand reopening will be celebrated with a major thematic exhibition titled 'New Humans: Memories of the Future.' This extensive presentation will occupy the entire building, bringing together over 200 contributors from various fields including art, science, architecture, literature, and film. The exhibition will delve into how artists throughout history have envisioned humanity's future in response to technological, political, and biological shifts. It will feature contemporary artists like Sophia Al-Maria, Meriem Bennani, Pierre Huyghe, Wangechi Mutu, Hito Steyerl, Philippe Parreno, and Anicka Yi, alongside twentieth-century luminaries such as Francis Bacon, Hannah Höch, Salvador Dalí, H.R. Giger, Kiki Kogelnik, and El Lissitzky. Rather than presenting futurity as a fixed endpoint, the exhibition aims to portray it as a recurrent cultural projection, shaped by the anxieties and aspirations unique to each historical period.
Beyond the exhibition areas, the revamped building will host a series of long-term, site-specific art installations. These include a new facade artwork by Tschabalala Self, a monumental sculpture by Klára Hosnedlová gracing the Atrium Stair, and a public art piece by Sarah Lucas integrated into the entrance plaza. These permanent or semi-permanent additions seamlessly merge artistic creation with the museum's architectural framework, blurring the boundaries between structure and display. Lisa Phillips, the Toby Devan Lewis Director of the New Museum, emphasized the profound significance of this expansion, stating, 'Since our inception nearly 50 years ago, the New Museum has been a sanctuary for the most innovative contemporary art and the artists who create it. Our new 120,000 square feet building on the Bowery underscores our renewed commitment to new art and fresh perspectives, and to the museum as an ever-evolving platform for bold exploration, collaboration, and experimentation.' The new edifice will be named in honor of Toby Devan Lewis, acknowledging her enduring influence on the institution.
The expansion significantly bolsters the New Museum's public programming infrastructure. New initiatives catering to families and young audiences include a Kids Activity Guide by Azikiwe Mohammed, audio tours specifically designed for younger visitors, free monthly Family Days, and a recurring art-making program for teenagers. All New York City public schools will be extended invitations for complimentary guided tours, reinforcing the museum's long-standing commitment to educational engagement within the city. OMA has also overseen the design of the New Museum's first full-service restaurant, operated by the Oberon Group with executive chef Julia Sherman. The restaurant, featuring a vegetable-centric menu, will incorporate an installation by Ian Cheng and bespoke furniture by Minjae Kim. Additionally, the New Museum Store, now twice its original size, will operate independently from ticketed areas, offering an expanded selection of artist-made objects and publications.
This architectural undertaking establishes the New Museum as a distinctive global institution, featuring the harmonious integration of two Pritzker Prize-winning practices, OMA and SANAA, engaged in a close architectural dialogue. This collaboration not only signifies a physical expansion but also a conceptual broadening, positioning the museum as a dynamic center for cultural discourse and artistic innovation. The thoughtfully designed spaces and enhanced facilities are set to redefine the visitor experience, fostering a more engaging and accessible environment for appreciating contemporary art.