Get ready for a game-changer in the art world—the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is set to unveil its highly anticipated David Geffen Galleries in April 2026, marking the culmination of a two-decade-long transformation that promises to redefine the museum’s presence in the city. Designed by the legendary Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor, this fluid concrete masterpiece will span 274 meters across Wilshire Boulevard, offering 10,220 square meters of exhibition space. But here’s where it gets even more exciting: the building isn’t just a gallery—it’s a bold statement, elevated on piers, with floating staircases and elevators connecting both sides of the boulevard. It’s as if the museum is reaching out to embrace the entire city.
And this is the part most people miss: the inaugural installation isn’t organized by medium or chronology. Instead, it uses the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans, along with the Mediterranean Sea, as its framework. This approach highlights themes of exchange, migration, and commerce across centuries, allowing artworks from diverse cultures and eras to coexist without traditional hierarchies. Think of it as a global conversation where a 17th-century masterpiece might sit alongside a contemporary commission. Speaking of which, the opening will feature works by Todd Gray, Lauren Halsey, and Diana Thater, among others, alongside iconic pieces like Georges de La Tour’s The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame and Vincent van Gogh’s Tarascon Stagecoach. But is this oceanic framework a brilliant innovation or a confusing departure from traditional curation? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Beyond the galleries, the project expands into 14,164 square meters of outdoor space integrated with Hancock Park, where public art installations and educational programs will come to life. Imagine strolling through a plaza featuring Jeff Koons’s Split-Rocker, a living sculpture made of plants and flowers, or encountering Auguste Rodin’s works alongside pieces by Liz Glynn. It’s not just a museum—it’s a cultural hub reconnecting with its surroundings.
The transformation also brings back beloved works like Tony Smith’s Smoke and Alexander Calder’s Three Quintains (Hello Girls), while amenities like the LACMA Store, LACMA Café, and the W.M. Keck Education Center will open in phases. By the time the David Geffen Galleries debut, LACMA’s total exhibition space will have nearly doubled since 2007, solidifying its status as the largest art museum in the western United States. But does size matter when it comes to cultural impact? And how will this reimagined space shape Los Angeles’s role in the global art scene? These are the questions that make this project so compelling.
With its phased openings beginning in summer 2025 and the full unveiling in April 2026, the David Geffen Galleries aren’t just a new building—they’re a reimagining of what a museum can be. As LACMA CEO Michael Govan puts it, ‘We look forward to sharing this reimagined museum experience both with Angelenos and visitors from around the world.’ So, mark your calendars and prepare to see art—and Los Angeles—in a whole new light. What are you most excited to see? And do you think this project will live up to the hype? Share your thoughts below!
