peter zumthor’s LACMA david geffen galleries to open in april 2026
Los Angeles art enthusiasts have a date to mark: April 19th, 2026. That’s when the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) will unveil the David Geffen Galleries, completing a two-decade-long transformation of its campus. The new galleries, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor, will become the museum’s primary space for its permanent collection.
A New Landmark for Los Angeles
The David Geffen Galleries will introduce 10,220 square metres (approximately 109,965 square feet) of exhibition space, stretching 274 metres (about 899 feet) along Wilshire Boulevard. The building’s design, featuring a fluid concrete form set on elevated piers, is intended to redefine LACMA’s presence in the city. Access will be provided by a network of staircases and elevators from both sides of the boulevard.
An Oceanic Framework for Art
The inaugural installation within the David Geffen Galleries will take a unique approach to displaying LACMA’s collection. Rather than organizing works by traditional methods like medium or chronology, curators will group pieces around the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea. This framework aims to highlight themes of exchange, migration, and commerce across centuries, presenting art from diverse cultures and eras without imposing strict hierarchies.
Visitors can expect to see approximately 2,500 to 3,000 objects on view at any given time, including notable works like Georges de La Tour’s The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame (1640) and Vincent van Gogh’s Tarascon Stagecoach (1888). The presentation will also feature new commissions from contemporary artists such as Todd Gray and Lauren Halsey.
Beyond the Galleries: Reconnecting with Hancock Park
The project extends beyond the galleries themselves, incorporating 14,164 square metres (approximately 152,500 square feet) of newly accessible outdoor space integrated with Hancock Park. This plaza level will host public art installations and educational programs, with works by artists including Mariana Castillo Deball and Jeff Koons. Iconic LACMA pieces like Tony Smith’s Smoke (1967) and Alexander Calder’s Three Quintains (Hello Girls) (1964) will also be reintroduced to the public.
A Twenty-Year Vision Realized
The opening of the David Geffen Galleries marks the culmination of a long-term expansion strategy. Previous phases included the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (2008) and the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion (2010). These additions, combined with the new galleries, will bring LACMA’s total exhibition area to approximately 20,440 square metres (roughly 220,000 square feet), a significant increase from the 12,080 square metres (about 130,000 square feet) available in 2007. LACMA, located at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, remains the largest art museum in the western United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the David Geffen Galleries open?
The David Geffen Galleries are scheduled to open on April 19th, 2026.
How much exhibition space will the new galleries provide?
The David Geffen Galleries will introduce 10,220 square metres of exhibition space.
What is the curatorial approach for the inaugural installation?
The inaugural installation will organize works around the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea, focusing on themes of exchange, migration, and commerce.
As LACMA prepares to unveil this ambitious project, it will be interesting to see how the new galleries and surrounding spaces reshape the museum experience for both Angelenos and visitors from around the world.