New York's Atriums and Arenas Become Performance Stages in Fall 2026

From September 15 to October 11, 2026, Sarah Michelson's site-specific performance, nowhere, will take place in the Donald and Catherine Marron Family Atrium at the Museum of Modern Art. During regular museum hours, the choreographer and a changing ensemble of dancers will weave movement into the museum's everyday activities. Earlier this month, Lindsey Hanson's Gethsemane reimagined the W83 Ministry Center on Manhattan's Upper West Side, utilizing its sanctuary and balcony for dance and original music, with the audience positioned on stage. Additionally, Lincoln Center's David Rubenstein Atrium is set to feature free interdisciplinary programming for its 2026–27 season, including the Festival of Firsts and Art Bath on December 5, 2026. Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment has unveiled Brooklyn Art Encounters, a multi-year contemporary-art initiative, highlighting Sarah Sze's Wave for the Barclays Center entry atrium in fall 2026, showcasing over 250 animated projected images. These initiatives illustrate a growing trend in New York, where architecture influences performance, dissolving traditional boundaries and encouraging audience interaction in unique environments.