The New Museum in Manhattan is set to reopen this fall after a year-long closure to the public. The museum has undergone a significant expansion, doubling its gallery space and featuring a sweeping exhibition with over 150 artists. The $82 million construction project included the addition of a new 60,000-square-foot building designed by Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas of OMA in collaboration with architect Cooper Robertson.
The exterior of the new building at 231 Bowery features a distinct polygonal design made of laminated glass and metal meshing, providing a transparent view of the facilities during evening hours. Inside, the new building seamlessly connects to the existing structure, expanding the second-, third-, and fourth-floor galleries by 9,600 square feet. Additional enhancements include extended ground-floor lobby and seventh-floor panoramic skyroom spaces.
However, the design of the new building has sparked some criticism, with online commentators calling it “hostile” and “corporate.” Local residents have also expressed concerns about its size and impact on the neighborhood. Despite the mixed reactions, the expansion will offer artist residencies, public programming venues, extra elevators, upper-floor terraces, a full-service restaurant, and the “NEW INC” cultural incubator for emerging entrepreneurs.
The reopening exhibition, titled “New Humans: Memories of the Future,” will explore the evolving relationship between humanity and technological advancements. The show will feature works by contemporary artists such as Daria Martin, Philippe Parreno, and Wangechi Mutu, alongside historical pieces by Francis Bacon, Salvador Dalí, and Kiki Kogelnik. Additionally, site-specific commissions, including Sarah Lucas’s “VENUS VICTORIA,” will be on display across three floors of the museum.
Sarah Lucas is also the inaugural recipient of the Hostetler/Wrigley Sculpture Award, which supports women artists in creating new sculptures. The award provides a $400,000 grant for recipients to develop installations on the museum’s public plaza on the Bowery. With its expanded space and diverse programming, the New Museum is poised to offer a dynamic and engaging experience for visitors when it reopens this fall.
