tl;dr

  • Canyon is a new art space that will open in New York City in 2026 on the Lower East Side.
  • The space will be dedicated to time-based art, which includes moving image art, sound and performance.
  • Rhizome, Electronic Arts Intermix and Archive of Contemporary Music will partner with Canyon and have a presence in the space.

We rely on readers like you to support our efforts → If you value our news coverage and want to enable more of it, consider supporting us with a contribution

New York City's Lower East Side is preparing for the debut of a new art space in 2026. Canyon – slated to open in a 42,000-square-foot venue that is being constructed on a long-vacant lot at the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge – will be dedicated solely to time-based media. The name of the space, an image of a phenomenon sculpted by time, reinforces the institution's focus, whether it falls into the categories of audio, video or performance art.

The idea for this hybrid space was jointly conceived by philanthropist and art collector Robert Rosenkranz and Joe Thompson, founding director of MASS MoCA in Boston. Acutely aware of the risk that is entailed in opening an institution concentrated on the exhibition and nurturing of time-based media, Rosenkranz and Thompson have commissioned New Affiliates Architecture to design the building around this concept, providing a venue suited to a different mode of viewing and interaction with the exhibits.

An architectural rendering of the interior of a new art space, with people milling around and sitting on plush blue benches.
Rendering of the interior of Canyon. Photo: New Affiliates Architects.

Joe Thompson, who will direct this new hub for time-based art, has revealed that it will offer a unique melding of sociability and creativity, through art and food. The space, which will consist of several multimedia galleries outfitted with the latest audiovisual technology, will likewise house a 300-seat concert hall, a café, cocktail bar, and a restaurant. Another policy that is geared towards molding a different environment is the opening hours – from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. – facilitating access to those with day jobs and other obligations.

Cognizant of the stiff competition that they are facing, Rosenkranz and Thompson have already selected a crew of heavyweight names from the art world for their staff: the conservator and new media expert Cass Fino-Radin will serve as director of art and technology; curator and writer Sam Ozer will be curator-at-large. Rhizome, Electronic Arts Intermix and Archive of Contemporary Music will partner and have a presence in the space.

The new space shares a name with the well-known and legendary Bay Area film art distributor Canyon Cinema, which was established in the 1960s. For more information visit the Canyon site.

The link has been copied!