The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is set to open its new David Geffen Galleries in April 2026, as scaffolding is being removed from the building.
After four years of construction, the last of the scaffolding is coming down, unveiling the 900-foot-long, Peter Zumthor-designed building for the first time.
Construction will now move into its final phase, with 90 percent of building work finished to date. Major construction completion will be reached by the end of this year. Early next year, LACMA will start moving key operational functions into the building.
After this, the museum will install artworks from its permanent collection in 110,000 square feet of galleries on the building’s exhibition level.
“Being so close to opening our new galleries and to having so much more art on view is incredibly exciting,” said Michael Govan, LACMA CEO and director.
“So many people have contributed to making this vision for LACMA and Los Angeles a reality, and we are grateful to each and every one.
“When the scaffolding comes down, LA will finally see 360 degrees of Peter Zumthor’s amazing architectural achievement and begin to sense how wonderful this building is going to be inside. We can’t wait to open to the public in April 2026.”
With the extra 110,000 square feet of exhibition space, LACMA will have 220,000 square feet of galleries, a significant increase from its 130,000 square feet in 2007.
90% of building work finished
In addition to the exhibition level, the new building includes three F&B outlets, a store, a 300-seat theatre, and an education centre.
LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States. It cares for a collection of nearly 152,000 objects.
Last year, LACMA exceeded its $750 million fundraising goal for the David Geffen Galleries.
Images courtesy of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
