The moma nueva york stands at the center of a transformative year for art lovers, scholars, and cultural travelers in 2026. With sweeping changes to public access, landmark anniversary programming, and a powerful lineup of exhibitions and performances, the Museum of Modern Art and its sister institution MoMA PS1 are redefining how modern and contemporary art is experienced in New York City.
This year marks a turning point in how audiences engage with one of the world’s most influential cultural institutions. From expanded free entry to ambitious curatorial projects and international artist showcases, MoMA’s 2026 calendar reflects a renewed commitment to accessibility, diversity, and innovation across all artistic disciplines.
A New Era of Accessibility at MoMA PS1
One of the most significant developments of 2026 is the decision to make MoMA PS1 fully free to the public. Beginning this year, the Queens-based contemporary art institution eliminated general admission fees for all visitors, becoming the largest free museum in New York City.
This move removes financial barriers for local residents, students, and international visitors, allowing unrestricted access to cutting-edge exhibitions, installations, and performance programs. The initiative aligns with PS1’s mission to support experimental art and community engagement, and it coincides with the museum’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
By opening its doors without charge, MoMA PS1 is positioning itself as a civic space as much as a cultural one, encouraging repeat visits and deeper connections with contemporary art practices.
Greater New York 2026: Mapping the City’s Creative Pulse
A centerpiece of the anniversary year is the return of the signature exhibition Greater New York 2026, a large-scale survey of artists living and working across the five boroughs.
Running from spring through summer, the exhibition brings together more than fifty artists representing a wide range of media, backgrounds, and approaches. Painting, sculpture, video, sound, performance, and site-specific installations fill the museum’s galleries and outdoor spaces, offering a snapshot of how artists are responding to urban life, social change, technology, and global interconnection.
The exhibition continues a long tradition of showcasing emerging and mid-career artists whose work reflects the evolving cultural identity of New York City. For many visitors, Greater New York serves as both a discovery platform and a window into the future of contemporary art.
Major Retrospectives and Thematic Exhibitions at MoMA
At the main MoMA building in Midtown Manhattan, 2026 features an ambitious slate of exhibitions that span continents, movements, and generations.
Celebrating Pioneering Artists
Several large-scale retrospectives anchor the year’s program:
- A comprehensive survey of sculptor Ruth Asawa highlights her innovative wire forms and lifelong dedication to art education.
- A sweeping presentation of Helen Frankenthaler’s work traces her impact on postwar abstraction and the development of color-field painting.
- A major exhibition devoted to Wifredo Lam explores the Cuban artist’s fusion of modernism with Afro-Caribbean symbolism and spiritual traditions.
These exhibitions provide historical depth while connecting past artistic breakthroughs to contemporary conversations about identity, form, and cultural exchange.
Photography, Language, and Environment
Alongside retrospectives, MoMA is presenting thematic exhibitions that explore the role of photography, text, and landscape in modern and contemporary art.
Curated selections from major private collections highlight the power of photography to document, interpret, and reimagine social realities. Text-based installations and digital poetry projects examine how language functions as both material and meaning in the visual arts. Environmental and garden-focused installations transform museum spaces into immersive environments, blurring the boundary between architecture, nature, and sculpture.
Performance and Media in the Spotlight
MoMA’s commitment to time-based art continues in 2026 through an expanded program of live performance, film, and multimedia installations.
The Kravis Studio Program
The Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Studio serves as a laboratory for interdisciplinary work, presenting performances and moving-image projects that combine music, theater, film, and visual art. This year’s program includes:
- Vocal and multimedia works that explore social justice, history, and collective memory.
- Immersive video installations rooted in ritual, storytelling, and community traditions.
- New commissions that invite audiences to experience art as a shared, live encounter rather than a static object.
Film Preservation and International Cinema
MoMA’s long-running film preservation festival returns in 2026, showcasing newly restored works from around the world. The program celebrates the technical and artistic achievements of cinema while emphasizing the importance of safeguarding film heritage for future generations.
Screenings range from early experimental films to landmark features of world cinema, offering context through discussions, introductions, and archival presentations.
Why 2026 Is a Landmark Year for Visitors
For travelers planning a cultural trip to New York, and for local residents seeking meaningful experiences, 2026 stands out for several reasons:
- Free admission at MoMA PS1 makes contemporary art more accessible than ever.
- Anniversary programming brings special exhibitions, events, and performances not seen in regular seasons.
- Internationally significant retrospectives offer rare opportunities to see comprehensive bodies of work in one place.
- Expanded performance and film schedules provide dynamic alternatives to traditional gallery viewing.
Together, these elements create a year in which visitors can explore both the history and the future of modern and contemporary art within a single institutional ecosystem.
Global Influence and Cultural Leadership
The moma nueva york continues to shape the global art conversation through its curatorial vision and public programs. By presenting artists from diverse cultural backgrounds and supporting experimental practices, the museum reinforces its role as a platform for dialogue across borders and disciplines.
Educational initiatives, public talks, and community-focused events complement the exhibition program, ensuring that art is not only displayed but also discussed, questioned, and understood in broader social contexts.
Planning a Visit in 2026
Whether exploring Midtown Manhattan’s iconic galleries or traveling to Queens to experience the vibrant campus of MoMA PS1, visitors in 2026 will find:
- Rotating exhibitions that reward multiple visits.
- Outdoor and indoor installations suitable for all seasons.
- Programs designed for students, families, and international audiences.
- A balance between historical masterworks and cutting-edge contemporary projects.
With its blend of accessibility, scholarship, and innovation, MoMA’s 2026 season offers one of the most comprehensive cultural experiences available in the United States.
From free museum access to powerful retrospectives and bold new voices, 2026 is a defining year for MoMA—share your thoughts below and stay connected for the next wave of art world highlights.