A LANDMARK OPENING SIGNALS A NEW ERA FOR ARTS AND CULTURE IN LOS ANGELES
On May 4, the eagerly awaited David Geffen Galleries expansion at LA County Museum of Art (LACMA) will open to the public, adding 110,000 square feet of gallery space to the largest art museum in the western US and cementing LA’s reputation as a global cultural capital. Beyond LACMA, the city is bursting with creative energy in 2026 with a wave of exciting openings. Los Angeles Tourism shares the top openings and events that art lovers of all ages and interests won't want to miss this year.
1. LACMA’s David Geffen Galleries debuts to the public on May 4
Designed by architect Peter Zumthor, the David Geffen Galleries will be LACMA’s new home for its permanent collection. Spanning Wilshire Boulevard, the elevated, 900-foot-long exhibition space will enable LACMA to present art from all cultures and eras on a single level without hierarchies or prescribed visitor pathways, redefining the museum experience by embracing new perspectives on art, history, and Los Angeles itself.
The building is designed to hold approximately 2,500 to 3,000 objects from the museum’s global collection at one time, filling 110,000 square feet of gallery space. Rather than displaying artworks according to medium or period, the inaugural installation will use the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea as its organizing framework, emphasizing the cultural exchange, migration, and commerce prevalent throughout the history of art.
2.The futuristic Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opens in September
Co-founded by filmmaker George Lucas, this eye-catching museum designed by Ma Yansong of MAD is set to open in Exposition Park on September 22. The museum’s 100,000 sq ft of galleries will celebrate the power of visual storytelling, exploring how images move people and shape our collective memory. In addition to its galleries, the five-story building features two state-of-the-art cinematic theaters, a café, and a rooftop restaurant with sweeping city views.
3. World’s first AI art museum comes to LA
DATALAND is set to open in Downtown LA this spring as a new venue dedicated to art shaped by data and AI, led by Refik Anadol. The project builds on his studio’s work with machine learning and large-scale digital installations, bringing it into a permanent public space. This 25,000-square-foot "living museum" will merge human imagination with machine creativity.
4. sister dreamer sculpture park in South LA
American installation artist Lauren Halsey unveiled ‘sister dreamer lauren halsey’s architectural ode to tha surge n splurge of south central los angeles’ in March 2026. The installation is an architectural monument paying homage to South Los Angeles, the neighbourhood where the artist and her family have lived for generations. The location will host film screenings, health and wellness events, community-centric celebrations, jazz nights, sport activation, and more, conceived and led by Halsey’s nonprofit organization, Summaeverythang Community Center.
5. Discover Meow Wolf Los Angeles
Meow Wolf’s long-awaited Los Angeles debut will open in West LA in late 2026, taking over a former cinema complex. The collective has built a following for large-scale, walk-through environments that sit somewhere between exhibition and narrative experience, with visitors moving through interconnected rooms that reveal a loose, unfolding story. The LA experience is expected to draw heavily on the city’s film culture, with contributions from local artists and a focus on immersive world-building rather.
6. “Gracias Gustavo” at LA Philharmonic
Gustavo Dudamel’s final season as the Music & Artistic Director of the LA Philharmonic concludes in June, following an incredible 17-year tenure. His final season, “Gracias Gustavo,” is a celebration of the innovative programming, commissions, and profound community connection he has fostered since 2009.
7. Holocaust Museum LA expands for a new generation
In June 2026, the Holocaust Museum LA will reopen following a major 50,000-square-foot expansion, marking a significant new chapter for the institution. The new Jona Goldrich Campus will feature enhanced exhibition spaces, a state-of-the-art theatre, classrooms, and outdoor reflection areas, alongside new technology preserving Holocaust survivor testimonies.
8. Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center completes construction
The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California is set to complete construction in Downtown Glendale this year. Their vision will create a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice.
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ABOUT LOS ANGELES & LOS ANGELES TOURISM
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (Los Angeles Tourism) is the non-profit destination marketing and sales organization for the Los Angeles tourism industry and the ultimate resource for where to stay and play in the LA area. Los Angeles is a dynamic, ever-evolving destination – where diversity thrives, and everyone is welcome. Discover the true LA by exploring its more than 30 culturally rich neighbourhoods, each one offering a distinct vibe. LA is home to more than 300 days of warm sunshine, 75 miles of idyllic shoreline, more museums and performing arts venues than any other U.S. city, and an innovative culinary scene led by influential tastemakers. A global creative capital and the epicentre of the sports universe, LA presents limitless possibilities for visitors from around the world. For more information, visit discoverlosangeles.com, follow at facebook.com/DiscoverLosAngeles, or @discoverLA on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Lisa Preece, Communications Manager, Europe at Los Angeles Tourism:
lpreece@latourism.org
+44 (0) 777 257 9264
