New York City's New Museum Unveils Ambitious Exhibition Schedule for 2027

The New Museum in New York City has officially announced its comprehensive exhibition program for the remainder of 2026 and the winter of 2027. This upcoming schedule features a mix of historical retrospectives, film installations, and the highly anticipated return of the museum's signature Triennial. The institution aims to highlight both established voices and emerging talent through these diverse presentations. One of the most significant highlights of the new program is a major retrospective dedicated to the artist Arthur Jafa. Spanning two floors of the newly expanded museum, the exhibition will showcase the full breadth of Jafa's influential career. Visitors will have the opportunity to view his most celebrated works, including the 2016 film Love is the Message, The Message is Death. In addition to his past projects, the exhibition will feature the premiere of new work by the artist. Jafa, who was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1960, is widely recognized for his profound impact on contemporary visual culture. The retrospective serves as a testament to his ongoing exploration of identity and history through film and multimedia. Alongside the Jafa retrospective, the museum is launching a unique exhibition titled Bowery: Devil’s Mile. This project marks the first time the institution has traced the 500-year history of the Bowery as a central hub for arts and culture in New York. The exhibition provides a deep dive into the evolution of the city's oldest thoroughfare. Film enthusiasts can also look forward to the first solo museum exhibition in New York City for artist Marcon. This presentation will bring together three of the artist's recent films to offer a cohesive look at their creative vision. The show will also feature a newly commissioned work titled Krapfen, which was produced specifically by the New Museum. Looking ahead to early 2027, the museum will host the sixth iteration of its signature Triennial. Titled The Outside Expands, this event remains the only recurring international exhibition in New York City dedicated exclusively to early-career artists from around the world. The exhibition is designed to serve as a critical inflection point for the global art community. The Triennial is being co-curated by Vivian Crockett, the Allen and Lola Goldring Curator at the New Museum, and Isabella Rjeille, a curator at the Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand. They are working alongside curatorial assistant Thalia Stefaniuk to organize the expansive show. The curators intend for the exhibition to allow for critical reflection on the past while carving out space for envisioning future possibilities. The theme of the upcoming Triennial uses the symbol of an 'x' to represent a crossroad. This conceptual framework encourages visitors to consider the present moment as a time of significant change and transition. By bringing together diverse perspectives from international artists, the museum hopes to foster a global dialogue. These upcoming exhibitions reflect the New Museum's commitment to expanding its reach and influence within the contemporary art world. By balancing retrospectives of established figures with platforms for emerging artists, the institution continues to shape the cultural landscape of New York City. The diverse range of media, from film to historical research, ensures that the program appeals to a wide audience. As the museum prepares for these openings, it continues to solidify its reputation as a space for innovation and critical inquiry. The upcoming months are expected to draw significant attention from both local residents and international visitors. These exhibitions will remain on view through the winter of 2027, providing ample time for the public to engage with the featured works.