Global Art Institutions Undergo Major Transformations and Expansions in 2026

The global art ecosystem continues to recalibrate in 2026 following significant disruptions in 2025. New York's New Museum will open an expansion designed by OMA / Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas at 235 Bowery, doubling exhibition space and complementing the existing SANAA-designed structure. In Paris, the Centre Pompidou begins a €460 million ($535.7 million) renovation scheduled for completion in 2030. Meanwhile, the Centre Pompidou's second Asian location will launch in May 2026 through a collaboration with Hanwha, located within the Korean conglomerate's 63 Building skyscraper in Seoul. Tashkent's Centre for Contemporary Arts opens in March 2026 within a refurbished 1912 tram depot and diesel station renovated by Studio KO. This initiative by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation will debut with "Hikmah" (meaning "wisdom" in Uzbek), curated by artistic director Sara Raza and featuring artists including Ali Cherri, Kimsooja, and Muhannad Shono. Thailand welcomes Ruam Samai ("combining all time periods"), a new private museum in Chiang Mai founded by the Angsuvarnsiri family and designed by Studio MDA. Institutions worldwide continue cycles of opening, closing, and reopening while grappling with reinvention. New public commissions are emerging on Gulf sands as biennials and galleries navigate transitions.