After years in the making, the Latest Museum has reopened on the Bowery with a major expansion that goes beyond simply adding space. The institution is redefining what a museum is, how it functions, and who it serves.
A Doubled Footprint and a New Vision
The new OMA-designed building, opening to the public on Saturday, March 21, adds nearly 62,000 square feet to the museum, effectively doubling its exhibition capacity to roughly 120,000 square feet. Architect Shohei Shigematsu explained during a press conference, “We thought less about designing a single object and more about designing a pair.”
The result is a reconfiguration of two buildings designed to operate as one. The original SANAA-designed tower remains vertical and introspective, while the new building leans outward, featuring horizontal galleries, open circulation, and a more accessible relationship with the city. Bridges, shared galleries, and a central atrium connect the two structures, allowing for fluid movement between them.
The building’s glass-and-metal façade shifts from opaque to transparent with the changing light, glowing at night and revealing activity within. A new public plaza is planned for the corner of Bowery and Prince Street, designed to be inviting rather than imposing.
“Museums are no longer just spaces for art,” Shigematsu said. “They are spaces for people. They are among the last truly public spaces in the city.”
Beyond Exhibitions: A Cultural Lab
The expansion isn’t limited to gallery space. The New Museum has added artist studios, a permanent home for its incubator NEW INC, education spaces, and multi-use areas for workshops, talks, and events. These programs converge on the upper levels in an area Shigematsu described as the “brain,” a zone for production, discussion, and experimentation.
This evolution builds on the museum’s history of supporting emerging voices and new ideas since its founding.
“New Humans: Memories of the Future”
The inaugural exhibition, “New Humans: Memories of the Future,” spans both buildings and brings together over 200 artists, writers, scientists, and filmmakers from more than 50 countries. It explores how technology has shaped—and continues to shape—what it means to be human.
The exhibition draws connections between the 1920s and today, examining recurring anxieties and aspirations surrounding machines, bodies, and identity. It includes over 15 new commissions and hundreds of works, accompanied by approximately 65,000 words of labels—all but one written by humans.
Outside, a façade sculpture by Tschabalala Self, Art Lovers, depicts an embracing couple at the point where the two buildings meet, symbolizing the project’s central idea. Additional commissioned artworks animate the atrium and public spaces, reinforcing the museum’s commitment to art production.
“We are a place of discovery and a site of production. That’s who we are,” said Lisa Phillips. “And who we will always be: a place where history is made.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total square footage of the expanded New Museum?
The expanded New Museum now encompasses roughly 120,000 square feet, nearly doubling its previous size.
When does the new building open to the public?
The new OMA-designed building opens to the public on Saturday, March 21.
What is the focus of the inaugural exhibition?
The inaugural exhibition, “New Humans: Memories of the Future,” explores the impact of technology on the human experience, bringing together artists, writers, scientists, and filmmakers from over 50 countries.
As the New Museum embarks on this new chapter, how might this expanded space and renewed focus on production and dialogue reshape the role of museums in the 21st century?
