Key Takeaways
- The year 2025 will see numerous museum openings, art exhibitions, and biennials taking place globally.
- The Frick Collection in New York and the New Museum are among the notable institutions reopening or expanding in 2025.
- Long-anticipated museum openings and experimental biennials will be staged on nearly every continent, making 2025 a busy period for the art world.
- The global art scene is undergoing significant transformations, with a focus on showcasing contemporary art and global cultural contexts.
- Art exhibitions and biennials will provide a platform for artists to showcase their work and for the public to experience the latest developments in the art world.
- The 2025 preview will cover the most notable developments and trends in the art world, including museum openings, art exhibitions, and biennials.
Art World Buzz: Major Museum Reopenings and Global Biennials Define 2025
Years without Venice Biennales are often quieter, but 2025 promises to break the mold. This year is shaping up to be a standout for the art world, with highly anticipated museum reopenings and cutting-edge biennials taking place across nearly every continent. As 2025 begins, it’s time to map out your cultural calendar.
20 Art Events to Anticipate in 2025
A Trio of New York Museums Returns Revamped
After a period of absence, three major New York institutions—the Frick Collection, the New Museum, and the Studio Museum in Harlem—are set to reopen their doors. These cultural landmarks have been undergoing significant renovations and expansions, and their returns promise to reshape the city’s art scene.
The New Museum’s expanded footprint, adding 60,000 square feet, is a headline-grabber, but the Studio Museum in Harlem steals the spotlight. Scheduled to debut in the fall, its new 82,000-square-foot building represents a bold new chapter for this pioneering institution, known for nurturing generations of Black artists.
Reimagined Art Destinations and Exhibitions to Watch in 2025
Sotheby’s Finds a New Home in New York
Marcel Breuer’s iconic Brutalist building on Madison Avenue has had quite a journey. Once home to the Whitney Museum and later a temporary space for both the Met and the Frick Collection, the structure now welcomes Sotheby’s. Starting in May, this modernist landmark will host marquee auctions, offering a fresh perspective on its historical interiors as it becomes a hub for multimillion-dollar art sales.
Anne Imhof’s Latest Performance Unveiled
Renowned for her provocative, immersive performances, Anne Imhof will debut DOOM at New York’s Park Avenue Armory in March. Known for works that blend seduction, tension, and empowerment, Imhof’s new project juxtaposes apathy and anxiety with resistance and hope, promising to captivate audiences once again.
Paris Welcomes an ‘American Season’ at the Palais de Tokyo
Under the leadership of Naomi Beckwith, the Palais de Tokyo will present an “American Season” of exhibitions and programs later this year. While details remain under wraps, the initiative is expected to reflect Beckwith’s bold curatorial vision and may hint at themes for her role in 2026’s Documenta 16.
MASP’s Ambitious Expansion Unveiled in São Paulo
The Museu de Arte de São Paulo will unveil a significant expansion in 2025, increasing its size by 66%. Led by Adriano Pedrosa, the museum’s growth aligns with its reputation for groundbreaking exhibitions like the Historiás series, creating a larger platform for its forward-thinking programming.
Yayoi Kusama Retrospective Brings Depth to Europe
A major retrospective of Yayoi Kusama’s career opens in Switzerland’s Fondation Beyeler this fall before traveling to Germany and the Netherlands. Beyond the popular “Infinity Rooms,” the exhibition highlights Kusama’s avant-garde sculptures, paintings, and performances from her New York years in the 1960s.
Ancient Roman Masterpieces Cross the Atlantic
The Torlonia Marbles, one of the world’s most remarkable collections of ancient Roman art, will tour the U.S. and Canada in 2025. Beginning at the Art Institute of Chicago in March, the exhibition will offer a rare glimpse at sculptures that have been hidden from public view for decades.
The Lucas Museum Finally Opens in Los Angeles
Years in the making, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will open its doors in 2025. Spanning 300,000 square feet, this ambitious institution will explore the power of visual storytelling through a diverse collection, including works by Frida Kahlo and Robert Colescott.
Berlin and Sharjah Biennials Push Boundaries
The Berlin Biennale, curated by Zasha Colah, opens in June with a focus on the complexities of identity and representation. Meanwhile, the Sharjah Biennial, curated by a collective of international curators, will launch in February, showcasing innovative and experimental works across disciplines.
Hito Steyerl Explores AI in a New Era
Visionary artist Hito Steyerl continues her exploration of AI and its cultural implications with a new book of essays, Medium Hot: Images in the Age of Heat, set for release in April. Her work examines the evolving relationship between technology, images, and society.
Peter Hujar’s Legacy on Film
The life of photographer Peter Hujar will be dramatized in Peter Hujar’s Day, premiering at the Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Ira Sachs and starring Ben Whishaw, the film captures a single day in 1974, offering an intimate portrayal of the artist’s creative world.
MOWAA Begins Programming in Benin City
Nigeria’s Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) will kick off its programming in May with a preview of its collection in its newly opened atrium. The museum aims to become a leading institution for both historical artifacts and contemporary African art.
The Met’s Rockefeller Wing Reopens
The Metropolitan Museum of Art will unveil its revamped Rockefeller Wing in May. The redesign, led by architect Kulapat Yantrasast, includes new galleries devoted to Andean textiles and expands the museum’s presentation of African, American, and Caribbean art.
The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Prepares to Open
After years of delays and controversy, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is set to open in 2025. Designed by Frank Gehry, the museum will be a centerpiece of Saadiyat Island’s cultural district, showcasing modern and contemporary art from around the globe.
Lee Bul Retrospective in Seoul
South Korea’s Leeum Museum of Art will host the first major retrospective of Lee Bul’s groundbreaking career in her home country. Known for her provocative works on body politics and futuristic themes, the exhibition promises to reintroduce audiences to her influential art.
Tadao Ando Expands Naoshima’s Cultural Landscape
The Naoshima New Museum of Art, designed by Tadao Ando, will open in spring 2025. The museum will continue Naoshima’s tradition of blending architecture and nature, debuting with a temporary exhibition featuring contemporary Asian artists.
Leigh Bowery Takes Center Stage at Tate Modern
Tate Modern will showcase a retrospective of Leigh Bowery, the avant-garde artist and performer. Known for his outrageous fashion, body-horror aesthetics, and collaboration with Lucian Freud, Bowery’s legacy promises to challenge and inspire.
Kerry James Marshall Debuts in London
Kerry James Marshall’s transformative paintings will be the focus of a 70-work retrospective at London’s Royal Academy of Arts in September. The show will explore Marshall’s reimagining of Western art history and his contributions to contemporary painting.
Jack Whitten Gets a MoMA Retrospective
The Museum of Modern Art will host a long-awaited retrospective of Jack Whitten’s experimental and innovative career. From squeegee-painted canvases to mosaic-like acrylic works, Whitten’s art defies categorization and continues to inspire.
Central Asia Hosts Its First Biennial
Bukhara, Uzbekistan, will host its inaugural biennial, exploring themes of healing and cultural heritage. Curated by Diana Betancourt Campbell, the event will feature international and local artists in a celebration of the region’s artistic richness.
Selena Mattei