New York to Welcome Expansion for Visual, Audio, and Theatrical Performances
The arts landscape of Manhattan's Lower East Side is set to change with the arrival of Canyon, a new multidisciplinary arts space scheduled to open in 2026. Canyon, designed for works meant to be experienced over time, will support the complexity of works involving performance, sound, and moving images.
Canyon, a venture philanthropy-funded project led by philanthropist Robert Rosenkranz and Joe Thompson, the founding director of MASS MoCA, aims to be more than just a gallery. It will offer immersive, flexible spaces that accommodate diverse artistic practices and public programs.
The venue will feature galleries more akin to living rooms than stark white boxes, providing a comfortable space for visitors to engage with art. The general public will be charged $30 for admission, while school groups and library cardholders will have free access.
Key features of Canyon include multidisciplinary programming integrating visual arts, performance, and new media. The institution will also emphasise a community-oriented approach, inviting active participation and engagement.
Canyon's spatial design will be innovative and adaptable, reflecting current trends in contemporary art institutions. A dedicated 300-seat performance hall will host concerts, screenings, lectures, and podcast tapings. There will also be a 60-foot-tall area for performances and gatherings.
In addition to its immersive programming, the venue will house long-term partners including Electronic Arts Intermix, Rhizome, and the ARChive of Contemporary Music. Early plans for exhibitions include a retrospective of Japanese artist Ryoji Ikeda and an expanded iteration of "Worldbuilding," a group exhibition about video games and contemporary art.
Canyon's curator-at-large, Sam Ozer, founder of the Mexico-based festival TONO, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, a curator, describe Canyon as "a new time zone for art." Joe Thompson, the director of Canyon, aims to make staying with the work feel natural and enjoyable.
Located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, a vibrant neighbourhood known for its cultural dynamism and artistic history, Canyon is part of a growing wave of arts organizations redefining how art is presented and experienced, prioritising interaction, innovation, and inclusivity.
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