David Geffen Galleries at Los Angeles County Museum of Art opens in April 2026.
Here’s a global round-up of new publicly funded art galleries and major publicly accessible art museum projects opening (or launching significant new galleries) in 2026 — from Central Asia to Europe and beyond. Many of these are major cultural investments involving government support, regional funding or public-oriented missions
Centre for Contemporary Arts Tashkent — Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Opening: 21 March 2026
A major new contemporary arts institution in Uzbekistan’s capital, housed in a restored early-20th-century industrial building. It’s set up with support from the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation and positioned as the first permanent contemporary art hub in Central Asia. The Centre combines exhibition spaces, workshops, research and public programmes with free admission. Its inaugural show, Hikmah (“wisdom”), will launch alongside the gallery and features both international and regional artists.
This represents a significant cultural infrastructure investment for Central Asia, broadening access to contemporary art for local and international audiences and fostering long-term dialogue across regional artistic networks.
KANAL – Centre Pompidou — Brussels, Belgium
Opening: 28 November 2026
One of Europe’s largest new contemporary art museums, transforming a former Citroën garage into a sprawling cultural space. Funded in large part by the Brussels-Capital Region and developed in partnership with Paris’s Centre Pompidou, it will house modern and contemporary art exhibitions, research spaces, workshops and public cultural programming across multiple floors.
Supported by regional government funding, KANAL – Centre Pompidou is designed to be a major public destination for modern art in Europe, complementing existing institutions such as Tate Modern and aiming to democratise access with large public areas and programming.
David Geffen Galleries at Los Angeles County Museum of Art — Los Angeles, USA
Opening: April 2026
While not a brand-new museum, the David Geffen Galleries are a major publicly funded expansion of LACMA — part of a long-term transformation driven by public and private capital including city contributions. The galleries will bring together vast art collections across cultures and eras on a unified exhibition level, enhancing access and inclusivity.
Expansion or Renovation-Led Openings
Not every space opening in 2026 is a ground-up build, but several publicly funded institutions will launch refreshed galleries or reopenings that significantly expand public access:
In Europe: Several institutions — potentially including design museums and photography galleries like the Nederlands Fotomuseum — are scheduled for reopening or expansion with new public-facing galleries in 2026. These are often supported by national or municipal funding and rejuvenate cultural infrastructure for broad audiences.
Biennials & Public Programming: Major recurring public art events like the Biennale of Sydney return in 2026 with free or publicly accessible exhibitions spanning multiple venues, reinforcing the gallery ecosystem rather than being tied to one physical building.
Trends and Context for 2026 Art Gallery Openings
Broadening Public Access
Many 2026 openings emphasise accessibility — free admission, community programs, and inclusive design — reflecting public funding priorities in cultural infrastructure. Projects like CCA Tashkent position art as civic infrastructure, not just exhibition space.
Globalisation of Art Hubs
Beyond traditional Western centres, cultural capitals in Asia and Central Asia are investing in world-class galleries. The CCA in Uzbekistan underscores this shift.
Multi-Functional Spaces
Large gallery projects are embedding ancillary public services — libraries, research centres, performance spaces — to serve as broader cultural anchors rather than just exhibition venues.
Highlights at a Glance
Centre for Contemporary Arts Tashkent Uzbekistan ACDF/Government alignment March 2026
KANAL – Centre Pompidou Belgium Brussels Region November 2026
David Geffen Galleries (LACMA) USA City/Public partnership April 2026
Other expansions & reopenings Various National/Municipal funds Throughout 2026