Canal Projects to Close in 2026, Met Commissions Liu Wei, Kochi Biennale Announces 2026 Lineup
On May 23, 2026, Canal Projects, an art space in New York operated by the YS Kim Foundation, will cease operations after four years and will evolve into a grant-making organization with a budget of USD 3 million for arts initiatives. The last exhibition will showcase Jakkai Siributr on January 30, 2026. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has commissioned Liu Wei to create sculptures for its Fifth Avenue façade, which will be displayed from September 17, 2026, to June 8, 2027. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale, set to open on December 12, 2026, will include 66 artists, curated by Nikhil Chopra. Additionally, Human Rights Watch is advocating for the release of artist Gao Zhen. On October 15, the Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi revealed the winners of the 2025 Laureate Awards. Carson Chan will assume the role of chief curator at Helsinki's Museum of Architecture and Design beginning in January 2026.
Key facts
- Canal Projects closes May 23, 2026, transitioning to a grant-making body with USD 3 million committed over three years.
- Liu Wei commissioned by The Met for 2026 facade sculptures, on view September 17, 2026–June 8, 2027.
- Kochi-Muziris Biennale's sixth edition opens December 12, 2026, with 66 artists from over 20 countries.
- Human Rights Watch calls for release of detained Chinese artist Gao Zhen, citing health concerns and lack of trial date.
- Five visual artists among eight 2025 Laureate Awards winners in New Zealand, each receiving NZD 50,000.
- Carson Chan appointed chief curator at Helsinki's Museum of Architecture and Design, effective January 2026.
- Canal Projects' final exhibition is a solo show by Jakkai Siributr opening January 30, 2026.
- The Met's facade commission is supported by partnership with Genesis, marking Liu Wei's first major U.S. project.
Entities
Artists
- Ayoung Kim
- Jakkai Siributr
- Liu Wei
- Marina Abramović
- Naeem Mohaiemen
- Bani Abidi
- Anupama Kundoo
- Nari Ward
- Gulam Mohammed Sheikh
- Gao Zhen
- Séraphine Pick
- Shona Rapira-Davies
- Cheryl Lucas
- Kate Newby
- Reuben Paterson
- Roseanne Liang
- Bill Direen
- Pene Pati
- Nikhil Chopra
- Max Hollein
- Elaine Pearson
- Jessica Palalagi
- Carson Chan
- Pilvi Kalhama
- Dr V. Venu
Institutions
- Canal Projects
- YS Kim Foundation
- MoMA PS1
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Genesis
- Kochi-Muziris Biennale
- HH Art Spaces
- Kochi Biennale Foundation
- Human Rights Watch
- Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi
- Museum of Architecture and Design
- Emilio Ambasz Institute
- Museum of Modern Art
Locations
- New York
- United States
- 351 Canal Street
- Beijing
- China
- Fifth Avenue
- Kochi
- India
- Southwest India
- Aotearoa New Zealand
- Helsinki
- Finland
- Bangkok
- Thailand
- South Korea