There are several eagerly awaited new museums opening in 2025, from art galleries and natural history collections to venues exploring social history and even food.
It promises to be a landmark year for museums and attractions worldwide, with new additions to the sector redefining how we engage with art, culture, history, science and more. This new generation of museums features immersive storytelling and cutting-edge architecture, breaking boundaries while embracing sustainability and technology.
With new museums opening in 2025 promising something for every visitor, as well as some long-anticipated reopenings and expansions, we round up the highlights.
V&A East Storehouse – London, UK
London’s V&A is opening the first of its two new sites in 2025. V&A East Storehouse is a new working store and visitor attraction in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is opening on 31 May.
V&A East Storehouse is designed by architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Home to more than half a million creative works, from Samurai swords to Elton John’s costumes, it will offer unprecedented public access to the institution’s collections. This includes over 250,000 objects, 350,000 books, and 1,000 archives from the V&A’s collections. Visitors can explore these items, gaining insights into collection, conservation, and research processes within a working museum.
V&A East Storehouse’s David Bowie Centre will open on 13 September 2025. For this experience, the V&A has acquired a vast 90,000-piece archive of material from the estate of David Bowie. Highlights include handwritten lyrics for songs such as ‘Fame’ (1975), ‘Heroes’ (1977) and ‘Ashes to Ashes’ (1980). Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust costumes will also be on show.
The V&A East Storehouse is part of the larger V&A East project. The forthcoming V&A East Museum is scheduled to open in 2026. Speaking to blooloop about the project in 2022, Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, director of V&A East. said:
“This is a real opportunity not just to build a great museum that speaks to all the incredible standards and heritage of the V&A, but also something that reflects contemporary needs and contemporary aspirations, and to shift our understanding of culture and demography into a greater understanding of issues of equity and sustainability.”
Edelman Fossil Park & Museum – Glassboro, New Jersey, USA
The Edelman Fossil Park & Museum will open in March 2025, presenting an immersive exploration of dinosaurs and other prehistoric species. It is part of Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. The new museum is located in a region known for its rich paleontological significance. It is near an active research quarry where over 100,000 fossils from more than 100 species have been found.
“The opening of Edelman Fossil Park & Museum marks a momentous occasion for our region and visitors from around the world. This is not just a museum. It’s a gateway to a breathtaking chapter of Earth’s history,” said Kenneth Lacovara, founding executive director.
“Here, we open a window onto the profound and pivotal events of the fifth mass extinction, during which the dinosaurs and 75 percent of species perished, shaping the modern world as we know it. The fossils unearthed here tell the epic story of life’s fragility and resilience, weaving a cautionary tale that frames our present challenges and provides a roadmap towards a more sustainable tomorrow.”
The museum will include fossil digging and VR experiences, immersive exhibits, and an interactive fossil hunt powered by RFID technology. It is designed with sustainability at its core and features geothermal and electric systems that significantly reduce its carbon footprint.
The design team is made up of Ennead Architects, KSS Architects and G&A, along with landscape designers Seed Design and Yaki Miodovnik.
Dataland – Los Angeles, California, USA
Artist Refik Anadol will open the world’s first museum of artificial intelligence (AI) arts in Los Angeles in 2025. The new museum, Dataland, will be located at The Grand LA, a mixed-use development designed by Frank Gehry.
“Los Angeles is the perfect city to launch Dataland, a forward-thinking, revolutionary museum in support of the fields to which I have dedicated my career: art, science, technology and AI research,” said Anadol. “LA has long been a city that looks to the future in art, music, cinema, architecture, and more, and it feels natural to open Dataland here.”
“To have a permanent space for us to develop a new paradigm of what a museum can be, by fusing human imagination with machine intelligence and the most advanced technologies available, is a realization of one of my biggest dreams.”
Dataland is developed in partnership with Gensler, an award-winning architecture firm, and Arup, a global consultancy focused on sustainable development.
Anadol’s work has been showcased in venues such as New York’s Museum of Modern Art and Sphere in Las Vegas. The artist employs collections of public data along with machine learning algorithms to craft immersive art installations. The Grand LA is located right across from Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, where in 2018, Refik Anadol Studio projected the history of the Los Angeles Philharmonic as an algorithmic projection on the building’s exterior.
Naoshima New Museum of Art – Naoshima, Japan
The Naoshima New Museum of Art, designed by acclaimed architect Tadao Ando, will open in spring 2025 on a hilltop near the Honmura district of Naoshima. The facility will consist of a three-story building with two basement levels and a ground floor. It will accommodate four gallery spaces focused on contemporary art from Japan and the wider Asian region.
The opening exhibition will showcase artwork from eleven artists and collectives. This will include Japanese artist Aida Makoto, Dutch-Filipino video artist Martha Atienza, Chinese pyrotechnic artist Cai Guo-Qiang, the Tokyo-based art collective Chim↑Pom, and Indonesian visual artist Heri Dono.
The museum seeks to cultivate a deeper engagement with contemporary art, architecture, nature, and society. It will elevate Naoshima’s status as a centre for art and culture.
The architectural design showcases a large sloped roof that complements the hilltop location, along with a central staircase bathed in natural light from a skylight, leading down into the underground galleries.
Fenix Museum of Migration – Rotterdam, the Netherlands
The Fenix Museum of Migration is a new cultural institution in Rotterdam that will explore global migration stories through art, architecture, photography, and history. It will open on 16 May 2025 and be located in the historic Fenix Warehouse.
Constructed in 1923, the Fenix warehouse was once the largest in the world. Located on the Katendrecht Peninsula, it played a crucial role in European migration history. It served as a departure point for countless individuals seeking new opportunities across the Atlantic.
Designed by MAD Architects, the museum features a unique spiral staircase called the Tornado, which represents the dynamic nature of migration. This architectural feature is a striking visual centrepiece, providing visitors with sweeping views of Rotterdam’s skyline and the Maas River.
Fenix will showcase artwork from over a hundred artists, alongside documentary photography by around 130 photographers from across the globe, and personal narratives presented within a landscape of 2,000 suitcases. The museum aims to provide immersive experiences that explore themes of love, farewells, identity, and the pursuit of happiness, all framed within the context of migration.
Saadiyat Cultural District – Abu Dhabi, UAE
The Saadiyat Cultural District is home to the already-opened Louvre Abu Dhabi. It will also include the Zayed National Museum, teamLab Phenomena, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. Opening dates have not yet been confirmed for the individual museums. However, in May 2024, Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism department confirmed the Saadiyat Cultural District and its new museums are on track for completion in 2025.
The Zayed National Museum will serve as the national museum of the United Arab Emirates. Designed by architectural firm Foster + Partners, it is dedicated to celebrating the UAE’s rich history, culture, and social and economic transformation. It will also honour the legacy of the nation’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is designed by architectural firm Mecanoo. It will take visitors on a 13.8 billion-year journey through the story of our planet and universe. The museum will also feature some of the rarest natural history specimens ever found. This includes Stan, one of the most complete T. rex skeletons in existence.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will showcase art from the 1960s to the present. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, it will present a global collection with special exhibitions, commissions, research, and publications.
Meanwhile, teamLab Phenomena will feature art installations unique to Abu Dhabi, created by the multidisciplinary Tokyo-based art collective teamLab. It aims to inspire visitors’ curiosity, imagination, and creativity by bridging the gap between art and technology.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum – Speedway, Indiana, US
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in Indiana closed for renovations in November 2023. It will reopen in April 2025.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, on the historic grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in Speedway, Indiana, is a popular attraction for both motorsports fans and history enthusiasts. This museum honours the illustrious heritage of the IMS and its flagship event, the Indianapolis 500, along with various other types of motorsport motorsport.
The museum showcases a vast array of race cars, trophies, photographs, and memorabilia. Highlights include vehicles that have won the Indy 500, featuring several historic champions from the early 20th century. Guests can also discover cars from various motorsport disciplines such as Formula 1, NASCAR, and motorcycles. Many exhibits display rare and unique cars that represent significant milestones in the history of automotive and racing.
The museum also includes the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame. This pays tribute to drivers, engineers, team owners, and other key figures in the history of racing.
Upon completion, the revamped IMS Museum will feature a new Gasoline Alley exhibit showcasing Indy 500 championship cars and other items in authentic settings. Additionally, it will introduce interactive exhibits, including pit-stop challenges and racing simulators. The team working on the renovation includes RWS Global, a leading producer of live experiences.
Powerhouse Parramatta – Sydney, Australia
Powerhouse Parramatta is a major cultural and architectural initiative in Sydney, Australia. Designed to be the largest museum in New South Wales, it signifies a bold transformation of the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo. This project is a key component of the state government’s approach to decentralising cultural resources and enhancing access to arts and education in Western Sydney.
It is designed to be a world-class institution focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). The new museum aims to foster community engagement and inspire innovation by hosting exhibitions, programmes, and events for diverse audiences.
Designed by the international firm Moreau Kusunoki in partnership with local firm Gentle Kerrison, the building features an open and adaptable structure. This can accommodate a variety of exhibitions and events. It also integrates sustainable building practices, striving to establish a standard for environmentally conscious design.
Powerhouse Parramatta features advanced galleries, multi-purpose learning spaces, and immersive experiences. Its adaptable design will be able to accommodate international exhibitions and local displays. Focused on interactivity and community engagement, it will also ensure visitors actively connect with the content.
The museum will collaborate with local artists, schools, and community organisations to create programmes that reflect the area’s cultural identity. It will act as an educational hub, providing workshops, talks, and resources for STEAM students and professionals.
Museum of West African Art – Benin City, Nigeria
The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) celebrates and preserves West Africa’s artistic and cultural heritage. Located in Benin City, Nigeria, MOWAA has deep historical ties to West African art, especially the Benin Bronzes.
The first phase, MOWAA Institute, opened in November 2024. The atrium, which will host MOWAA’s long-term collection, is expected to open in mid-2025. The MOWAA Institute will support museums and cultural organisations in West Africa by providing a site for research and training in archaeology, conservation, heritage management, and museum practices. It will serve as a centre for knowledge generation and creative collaborations, featuring an arts storage and conservation lab.
MOWAA aims to showcase West Africa’s artistic accomplishments, from ancient civilisations to contemporary forms. It is pivotal in repatriating the Benin Bronzes, which are currently located in museums worldwide. Upon their return, the bronzes will be prominently displayed in the museum. This will enable both Nigerians and the international audience to enjoy these masterpieces within their authentic cultural setting.
MOWAA’s design draws from traditional West African architecture, merging modern innovation with cultural heritage. It is committed to engaging with local communities through workshops, training programmes, and job opportunities. Additionally, it aims to inspire young artists and scholars by providing platforms that foster creativity and innovation.
The museum is part of the wider Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) project, supported by international institutions, scholars, and organisations. Collaborations with global museums have enabled the restitution of stolen artefacts and the exchange of knowledge in curation and conservation.
West Africa is famous for its artistic traditions like the Benin Bronzes, Yoruba sculptures, Nok terracottas, and Ashanti goldwork. MOWAA will showcase these alongside the diversity and innovation of contemporary artists.
Almaty Museum of Arts – Almaty, Kazakhstan
The Almaty Museum of Arts, set to launch in the summer of 2025, will be Central Asia’s first private institution focused on modern and contemporary art. Established by Kazakh entrepreneur and philanthropist Nurlan Smagulov, the museum seeks to act as a cultural link. It will bridge Central Asia’s vibrant art scene with the worldwide cultural environment.
The museum, designed by Chapman Taylor, comprises two interlocking structures representing Almaty and the Tian Shan mountains. One is finished in aluminium, symbolising the urban setting, while the other is adorned with limestone, reflecting the natural landscape.
The museum will feature over 700 artworks, including creations by Kazakh and Central Asian artists like Aisha Galimbayeva, Salikhitdin Aytbayev, and Yerbossyn Meldibekov. Additionally, the collection showcases works from international artists such as Fernand Léger, Richard Serra, and Yinka Shonibare. These are complemented by uniquely commissioned outdoor sculptures that enhance the museum’s exterior.
The first exhibition, I Understand Everything, will feature a retrospective of Kazakh artist Almagul Menlibayeva. This will highlight her work from the 1980s to the present. The museum aims to present vibrant exhibitions, commissions, publications, and educational initiatives.
Covering around 9,400 square meters, the museum will include spaces for both temporary and permanent exhibitions. There will also be a multifunctional hall, educational workshops, a restoration workshop, a café, and a shop.
BBQ Museum – Kansas City, Missouri, US
The Museum of BBQ, the world’s first museum dedicated to barbecue, is opening in Kansas City, Missouri, in the spring of 2025.
Characterised as a feast for the senses, the new space at the Crown Center shopping district will provide an engaging experience through interactive exhibits that delve into various components and regions of barbecue. It will also house a curated gift shop selling rubs, sauces and BBQ-themed gifts.
“Barbecue is a feast for your senses,” said Museum of BBQ founder Jonathan Bender. “Here in one of the BBQ capitals of the world, we’re creating a place where you can immerse yourself in the stories of barbecue.”
Visitors will follow two “storytelling trails” in the attraction. First, they will learn about the elements of barbecue, like meat, rub, wood, fire, smoke, and sauce. On the second, they will travel through the main American barbecue regions, like the Carolinas, Memphis, Texas and Kansas City. Highlights include an oversized crock of “barbecued beans” to play in.
“This is a place where barbecue comes alive,” added Bender. He is opening the Museum of BBQ with chef and restaurateur Alex Pope as a partner. “We want you to play and learn and come away with an appreciation for the joy and community that is part of barbecue culture.”
Barbecue holds a special place in American culinary traditions, particularly in Kansas City, famous for its rich barbecue heritage. The Museum of BBQ seeks to celebrate this legacy by providing visitors with an educational and sensory experience that celebrates both the art and science of barbecue.
New Museum – New York City, New York, USA
The New Museum in New York is undergoing a significant expansion to improve its facilities and better cater to visitors. This initiative includes building a new seven-story, 60,000-square-foot structure next to the current museum. The expansion is designed by the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in partnership with Cooper Robertson.
The new building will feature three floors of gallery space, doubling the museum’s exhibition space. More areas will be allocated for community and educational initiatives, a lasting base for NEW INC (the museum’s cultural incubator), and enhanced public facilities.
The expansion is intended to enhance vertical circulation within the museum, improving accessibility and visitor movement. Ground was broken for the expansion in November 2022, with the new building topping out in November 2024. The museum remains temporarily closed to the public during the last phases of construction.
Founded in 1977 by curator Marcia Tucker, this New York museum is recognised for its groundbreaking exhibitions and creative programming. It also has a commitment to showcasing works by emerging and underrepresented artists.
The original building, designed by the Tokyo-based architectural firm SANAA, opened in 2007. The distinctive stacked-box design consists of seven irregular rectangular volumes, creating dynamic gallery spaces with unique proportions.
The Nederlands Fotomuseum, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
The Nederlands Fotomuseum is the national photography museum of the Netherlands. It will move to a new location in Rotterdam’s historic dock area by the latter half of 2025.
The museum will be housed in the historic eight-story Santos building. This is a nationally recognised monument built in 1903 as a warehouse for Brazilian coffee. The renovations have been thoughtfully carried out to maintain its historical integrity while making it suitable for contemporary museum functions.
The new facility will feature extensive exhibition spaces, accommodating the museum’s collection and temporary displays. Visitors will have access to a specialised photography bookstore and library, offering resources for research and understanding of photographic arts. Furthermore, there will be dedicated areas for educational programmes, workshops, and community engagement.
A darkroom accessible to professional photographers and enthusiasts will support traditional photographic practices in the new museum. Meanwhile, a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of the Rotterdam skyline will enhance the visitor experience.
The museum’s collection, featuring over 6.5 million photographic images, ranks among the largest in the world. The new facility will include advanced, climate-controlled environments designed to preserve these artworks.
The Nederlands Fotomuseum will continue operating at its current location, the Las Palmas building on Wilhelminakade in Rotterdam, until the move is complete.
Studio Museum in Harlem – New York City, New York, USA
The Studio Museum in Harlem will open its new home in autumn 2025. The institution has been closed since 2018 for an expansion project. In its new facility, the Studio Museum in Harlem will feature ample exhibition, educational, and programme spaces, along with enhanced public amenities.
The debut exhibition will showcase the creations of American sculptor Tom Lloyd, who participated in the museum‘s inaugural show held in a rented loft on Fifth Avenue back in 1968. The exhibition will showcase Lloyd’s electronic sculptures, wall-mounted pieces crafted from found metal components, and works on paper created during the 1970s and 1980s.
Thelma Golden, director and chief curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem, said:
“Through the life and career of Tom Lloyd, whose solo exhibition inaugurated our museum in 1968, we reencounter an artist who was years ahead of his time in both his ideals and artistic practice. This exhibition is joined by a breadth of remarkable works from our collection which will be presented in our other incredible galleries.”
Founded by a diverse group of artists, community activists, and philanthropists, the museum is known for its role in promoting the work of artists of African descent.
The Studio Museum’s permanent collection includes around 9,000 artworks by the likes of Romare Bearden, Dawoud Bey, Jordan Casteel, Barkley L. Hendricks, Seydou Keïta, Norman Lewis, Lorraine O’Grady and Faith Ringgold. Other artists of African descent to feature across the museum when it debuts include Houston E. Conwill, David Hammons and Glenn Ligon.
“Taken in its entirety, our collection traces, as few institutions can, a history of creativity by artists of African descent that we will continue to nurture far into the future,” Golden added.
National Science and Media Museum, Bradford, UK
Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum will reopen on 8 January 2025, having closed in June 2023 for a major refurbishment. Its £6 million ‘Sound and Vision’ project includes two new permanent galleries, a new passenger lift, and improvements to the main entrance and foyer.
In January, the National Science and Media Museum will mark its reopening weekend with a collaboration with Aardman. The weekend will include film screenings and model-making workshops. Guests will also discover the museum’s revamped foyer. This features a redesigned shop and the Media Café, along with a new passenger lift.
After reopening to coincide with Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture, the museum will debut a new temporary exhibition, David Hockney: Pieced Together, on 15 January.
Jo Quinton-Tulloch, director of the National Science and Media Museum, said:
“With newly transformed spaces, improved accessibility and exciting additions to our public programme, it marks the beginning of an extraordinary journey for both the museum and our community.
“As the year unfolds, we will unveil more exciting improvements to the museum, culminating in the summer with the launch of our spectacular Sound and Vision galleries. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be reopening the museum with the backdrop of an amazing Bradford 2025 programme, making this a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
The museum’s new ‘Sound and Vision’ galleries will showcase all aspects of the permanent collection. Furthermore, the previous Games Lounge has been moved and revamped into Power Up. This will open in March and provide an interactive gaming experience.
The award-winning art collective Marshmallow Laser Feast is developing a new immersive installation for the museum’s temporary galleries, to open in April.
Looking ahead – new museums coming in 2026
As well as these highlights from 2025, more high-profile new museums are set to open in 2026. In the UK, work has already started on the ‘Museum of Two Halves‘ in Wrexham, Wales. The project involves the creation of two new museums in the current museum building – the new Wrexham Museum and the Football Museum for Wales. In addition, the new London Museum will open in 2026, breathing new life into two historic buildings in the City of London.
Meanwhile, in the US, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is expected to open in 2026 in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park. Also in LA, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) will open its new David Geffen Galleries in April 2026. The National Geographic Museum of Exploration will also open in 2026 in Washington, D.C.
Elsewhere, a sister museum to the Museo Nazionale Archaeologico Napoli will open in Naples in 2026, exploring Pompeii and archaeological history.
