Space Art Venture Expands in New York, Encompassing Video, Audio, and Live Performances
New York City Gets a Modern Art Haven: Canyon to Open in 2026
A new nonprofit arts institution, Canyon, is set to open its doors in 2026 on Manhattan's Lower East Side. This innovative venue will be a hybrid museum and cultural centre, focusing on video art, sound art, performance art, and immersive experiences.
The 42,000-square-foot former office building will house over half a million square feet of galleries, equipped with high-end technology designed to enhance visitor engagement with both audio and visual elements of the artworks presented. The venue will offer a much-needed space for duration, immersion, and reflection.
Canyon's aim is to create a deeply immersive and technologically advanced environment that supports experimental and multimedia art forms, offering a new kind of museum experience in New York City. It will be a major cultural destination on the Lower East Side, reflecting contemporary art practices and audience expectations for interactive and sensory-rich exhibitions.
Joe Thompson, the director of Canyon, has emphasised the importance of making staying with the work feel natural and enjoyable. One of the exhibitions that will be featured at Canyon is "Worldbuilding," a group exhibition about video games and contemporary art, organised by curator Hans Ulrich Obrist. This exhibition will be expanded at Canyon, benefiting from the institution's support for experimentation and emphasis on collective, time-based experience.
The venue will boast a 60-foot-tall area for performances and gatherings, as well as a dedicated 300-seat performance hall for concerts, screenings, lectures, and podcast tapings. Electronic Arts Intermix, Rhizome, and the ARChive of Contemporary Music will contribute to Canyon's programming.
The general public will be charged $30 for admission, but it will be free for school groups and library cardholders. The initiative is being launched through venture philanthropy. Notable figures in the art world, such as Hans Ulrich Obrist, have described Canyon as "a new time zone for art."
Canyon's founder, Sam Ozer, is no stranger to the art world. He is the founder of TONO, and has now been appointed as Canyon's curator-at-large. The venue will occupy a long-vacant commercial space at the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge. Exhibitions at Canyon will rotate three times per year, ensuring a constant stream of fresh and exciting artworks for visitors to enjoy.
The galleries at Canyon will be more akin to living rooms than stark white boxes, creating an intimate and inviting atmosphere for visitors to engage with the artworks on display. This approachable and welcoming environment is part of Canyon's mission to make experimental and multimedia art forms accessible to a wide audience.
One of the exhibitions planned for Canyon is a retrospective of Japanese artist Ryoji Ikeda. This promises to be an exciting addition to the New York City arts scene, and a testament to Canyon's commitment to showcasing cutting-edge contemporary art.
In conclusion, Canyon is set to be a game-changer in the New York City arts scene. Its focus on video art, sound art, performance art, and immersive experiences, combined with its innovative use of technology and inviting atmosphere, make it a must-visit destination for art lovers of all stripes. Whether you're a seasoned art aficionado or a curious newcomer, Canyon promises to offer a unique and unforgettable museum experience.
- Canyon, opening in 2026, will be a contemporary hybrid museum and cultural center focusing on performance art, video art, sound art, and immersive experiences.
- The 42,000-square-foot former office building will become a hub for over half a million square feet of galleries, designed to support modern art forms and enhance visitor engagement.
- With a 60-foot-tall area for performances and gatherings, a 300-seat performance hall, and collaborations with Electronic Arts Intermix, Rhizome, and the ARChive of Contemporary Music, Canyon will be a leading destination for art and culture on the Lower East Side.
- Admission will be $30 for the general public, but free for school groups and library cardholders, with the initiative being launched through venture philanthropy.
- The venue's aim is to make experimental and multimedia art forms accessible, creating an approachable and inviting atmosphere that will engage a wide audience.
- One of the exhibitions planned for Canyon is a retrospective of Japanese artist Ryoji Ikeda, showcasing his work in a modern and immersive setting that complements the fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, and lifestyle sensibilities of contemporary art lovers.
- Curator-at-large for Canyon, Sam Ozer, will bring his experience from founding TONO to further establish Canyon as a significant player in the New York City contemporary art scene, offering a new kind of museum experience in the city and beyond.
