OMA Unveils New Museum Expansion, Reopening March 21
El-Balad reports that the New Museum is set to reopen on March 21, following an extended closure for major expansion work. Originally planned for fall 2025, the reopening was delayed several months. The museum, located in New York City, has been closed since March 2024 as OMA and Cooper Robertson construct a significant addition.
Expansion Overview
The new addition, designed by OMA, will increase the museum’s space by 60,000 square feet, doubling its total footprint to 120,000 square feet. This expansion will feature the museum’s inaugural full-service restaurant, managed by Henry Rich of the Oberon Group. Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas lead the OMA team with Cooper Robertson as the executive architect.
Art Installations
- Artist Tschabalala Self has created an installation for the museum’s facade.
- Sculptor Klára Hosnedlová will hang a piece from the internal spiral staircase.
- Sarah Lucas has commissioned work for the plaza at the main entrance.
These installations follow notable past contributions from artists such as Chris Burden and Ugo Rondinone.
Inaugural Exhibition: New Humans
The museum will debut an exhibition titled “New Humans: Memories of the Future,” featuring over 200 artworks from both contemporary and historical artists. Noteworthy names include:
- Hito Steyerl
- Tau Lewis
- Daria Martin
- El Lissitzky
- Hannah Höch
- Tatsuo Ikeda
Visitor Information
The New Museum is offering free tickets for the opening weekend, supported by trustee Charlotte Feng Ford. Ticket registration will commence in February 2026.
Lisa Phillips, the museum’s Toby Devan Lewis Director, emphasized that the expansion represents a renewed dedication to innovative art and ideas. This development positions the New Museum as a dynamic space for artistic innovation, collaboration, and creative exploration.
