New York Prepares for Inaugural Venue Dedicated to Visual, Auditory, and Live Performing Arts
New Arts Institution, Canyon, to Revolutionize Lower East Side in 2026
A new arts institution, Canyon, is set to transform Manhattan's Lower East Side in 2026. This nonprofit hybrid museum, led by philanthropist Robert Rosenkranz and Joe Thompson, the founding director of MASS MoCA, will focus on video, performance, sound, and immersive art.
Canyon will occupy a long-vacant commercial space at the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge, covering an area of 40,000 square feet. More than half of the space will be dedicated to high-end galleries equipped with advanced technology to enhance visitors' immersion in the artworks' sound and visuals. The institution aims to create a novel kind of museum environment that blends different mediums in a multisensory, immersive setting.
The general public will be charged $30 for admission, while school groups and library cardholders will have free access. Long-term partners contributing to Canyon's programming include Electronic Arts Intermix, Rhizome, and the ARChive of Contemporary Music.
Canyon's primary objective is to support artists working with performance, sound, and moving images, and to reimagine how audiences can experience their work. A dedicated 300-seat performance hall will host concerts, screenings, lectures, and podcast tapings. The venue will also feature a 60-foot-tall area for performances and gatherings.
Early plans for exhibitions include a retrospective of Japanese artist Ryoji Ikeda and an expanded iteration of "Worldbuilding," a group exhibition about video games and contemporary art, curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist. Exhibitions at Canyon will rotate three times per year.
Sam Ozer, founder of TONO, has been appointed as Canyon's curator-at-large. He will play a significant role in shaping the institution's programming. Joe Thompson, the director of Canyon, aims to make staying with the work feel natural and enjoyable. He envisions galleries more akin to living rooms than stark white boxes, with a place to put your drink.
Hans Ulrich Obrist describes Canyon as "not just a new institution-it's a new time zone for art." This cutting-edge arts venue, backed by Rosenkranz's foundation, aims to be a major player in the Lower East Side's cultural scene, offering technologically enhanced, interdisciplinary cultural programming.
- The contemporary art world will welcome a new player, Canyon, in 2026, set to revolutionize Manhattan's Lower East Side.
- Canyon, a nonprofit hybrid museum led by philanthropist Robert Rosenkranz and Joe Thompson, will focus on video, performance, sound, and immersive art.
- Occupying a long-vacant commercial space at the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge, Canyon will cover 40,000 square feet, primarily housing high-end galleries.
- Advanced technology will enhance visitors' immersion in the artworks' sound and visuals at Canyon's cutting-edge galleries.
- The aim is to create a novel kind of museum environment that blends different mediums in a multisensory, immersive setting at Canyon.
- General admission will cost $30, while school groups and library cardholders will have free access at Canyon.
- Electronic Arts Intermix, Rhizome, and the ARChive of Contemporary Music are long-term partners contributing to Canyon's programming.
- Canyon will support artists working with performance, sound, and moving images, aiming to reimagine how audiences experience their work.
- A dedicated 300-seat performance hall will host concerts, screenings, lectures, and podcast tapings at Canyon.
- The venue will also feature a 60-foot-tall area for performances and gatherings at Canyon.
- Early plans for exhibitions include a retrospective of Japanese artist Ryoji Ikeda and an expanded iteration of "Worldbuilding," a group exhibition about video games and contemporary art.
- Exhibitions at Canyon will rotate three times per year.
- Sam Ozer, founder of TONO, has been appointed as Canyon's curator-at-large, playing a significant role in shaping the institution's programming.
- Joe Thompson, the director of Canyon, envisions galleries more akin to living rooms than stark white boxes, offering a place to put your drink.
- Hans Ulrich Obrist describes Canyon as "not just a new institution-it's a new time zone for art."
- Backed by Rosenkranz's foundation, Canyon aspires to be a major player in the Lower East Side's cultural scene.
- Canyon offers technologically enhanced, interdisciplinary cultural programming, blurring the lines between art, lifestyle, and entertainment.
- Fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts can expect immersive fashion shows and interactive art installations featuring contemporary designers.
- Food-and-drink aficionados can indulge in exclusive culinary experiences, ranging from Michelin-starred pop-ups to underground supper clubs.
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts will find their sanctuary in garden art installations and workshops offering DIY design ideas.
- Travelers seeking inspiration can attend gallery talks and virtual reality travel experiences showcasing destinations around the world.
- Car collectors and enthusiasts will be able to admire rare vintage and concept cars on display as part of thematic exhibitions.
- Book lovers can immerse themselves in literary discussions, book signings, and innovative book displays at Canyon's library.
- Education and self-development enthusiasts can attend workshops, lectures, and panel discussions led by industry experts in various fields.
- Aspiring artists and designers can learn from seasoned professionals through workshops and mentorship programs offered at Canyon.
- Personal growth seekers can participate in meditation and mindfulness sessions, yoga classes, and spiritual talks.
- Casino-and-gambling enthusiasts can engage with interactive installations exploring the history and cultural impact of gambling, including blackjack, big-wins, and slot machines.
- Social-media influencers can attend networking events and gain access to exclusive content for their platforms.
- Movie lovers can enjoy screenings of independent and classic films, along with Q&A sessions with directors and actors.
- Career-development workshops can help artists, designers, and professionals advance in their respective fields.
- Casino culture enthusiasts can participate in events showcasing prominent casino personalities and their impact on popular culture.
- Pop-culture fanatics can attend themed exhibitions exploring the intersections of art, movies, sci-fi-and-fantasy, and general news.
- Criminal justice advocates can attend exhibitions and discussions that aim to raise awareness and foster responsible gambling, including skills training, learning, and crime-and-justice-related themes.
