Art enthusiasts and professionals are finding reasons to celebrate despite challenging times, as the creative community continues to inspire with remarkable achievements and meaningful contributions. From stunning museum installations to grassroots initiatives, the art world offers countless moments of joy and hope worth acknowledging this season.
Jeffrey Gibson's magnificent facade installation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art stands out as one of the year's most impressive artistic achievements. The installation, titled "The Animal That Therefore I Am," features a regal quartet of animals including deer, coyote, hawk, and squirrel, animated by ancestral joy and wisdom. The surprise and wonder visitors experience when first encountering these powerful works creates lasting memories that exemplify the transformative power of public art.
University museums deserve special recognition for their thoughtful, well-researched exhibitions that remain untethered to market forces. Despite facing difficulties during recent political changes, these institutions continue producing some of the most meaningful cultural programming. Their dedication to education and scholarship over commercial interests makes them invaluable resources for communities nationwide.
Indigenous curators worldwide are revolutionizing the field with groundbreaking exhibitions that shift perspectives both within and outside traditional museum settings. Notable figures include April Phillips of Wiradjuri-Scottish heritage at the National Portrait Gallery of Australia, Candice Hopkins from the Carcross/Tagish First Nation at the Forge Project, and Sháńdíín Brown (Diné), Patricia Marroquin Norby (Purépecha) at The Met, plus Darienne Turner from the Yurok Tribe of California at the Brooklyn Museum.
Historic repatriations have marked significant progress in returning stolen cultural artifacts to their rightful communities. The Santa Ana Pueblo's entirely Native-led repatriation effort stands as a particularly moving example, successfully recovering pottery, clothing, baskets, and other culturally significant items stolen four decades ago. These efforts represent justice and healing for communities long separated from their cultural heritage.
Local art publications across the country continue providing essential coverage and community building through their dedicated work. Organizations like Carla in Los Angeles, Variable West in Portland, Oregon, Burnaway in Atlanta, and BmoreArt in Baltimore maintain vital connections between artists and audiences in their respective regions.
Thoughtful collection reinstallations demonstrate museums' commitment to creating meaningful visitor experiences rather than simply shuffling artworks randomly. The Metropolitan Museum's reimagined Arts of Oceania galleries and the Brooklyn Museum's American wing exemplify this careful approach. The upcoming Chazen Museum of Art reinstallation promises to feature "focus objects" around which other pieces will radiate, deepening conversations and understanding.
Thomas J Price's sculpture "Grounded in the Stars" powerfully reinforces that Black women deserve celebration and positive representation without needing to fit particular expectations or possess extensive achievements. This work challenges conventional perspectives while affirming dignity and worth.
The Whitney Museum's partnership with Frenchette Bakery provides a welcome exception to typically overpriced and mediocre museum dining options. The small outpost of Tribeca's acclaimed Frenchette Bakery offers exceptional treats like Tarte à la Rhubarbe and Tarte au Citron, making museum visits even more enjoyable.
Artist-run galleries embody the truest spirit of art community, with volunteers cleaning floors, touching up walls, and hanging exhibitions without financial compensation. These spaces represent pure dedication to supporting fellow artists and fostering creative dialogue.
Walter De Maria's Earth Room, maintained by the Dia Foundation since 1980, continues providing an almost mystical experience in its SoHo location. While visitors cannot enter the soil-filled space directly, the meditative experience of seeing and smelling earth at window level offers grounding and contemplation in the heart of the city.
Practical improvements like glare-free exhibition lighting and well-maintained gallery bathrooms might seem minor but significantly enhance visitor experiences. Art journalists particularly appreciate being able to view and photograph works under protective glass without annoying reflections. Institutions like the Flag Art Foundation deserve recognition for maintaining pleasant facilities with great views.
Open studios represent ultimate acts of creative generosity, allowing public glimpses into the necessarily messy and complex process of making art. Artists like Jon Bunge during Gowanus Open Studios and the Cuban Art Space collective during Dumbo Open Studios welcomed visitors into their creative spaces with remarkable openness.
The year 2025 marked a "Moomin-aissance" celebrating the 80th anniversary of beloved characters created by Swedish-Finnish author Tove Jansson. This queer icon of illustration and literature inspired exhibitions at the Brooklyn Public Library and across Scandinavia. The adorable storybook companions model friendship, conflict resolution, curiosity, and growth from their communal home with an always-open door.
Several galleries and institutions have stepped up transgender and nonbinary representation despite ongoing political challenges. Recent exhibitions featured artists like Nayland Blake at Matthew Marks, P. Staff at David Zwirner, and the late Chloe Dzubilo at Participant Inc. The Institute for Studies on Latin American Art's "Dueñas de la Noche: Trans Lives and Dreams in 1980s Caracas" provided particularly excellent representation.
The Museum of Modern Art's dedication of an entire gallery to Ruth Asawa's arts education work demonstrates that artistic legacies extend beyond objects alone. The exhibition showcased Asawa's statement of purpose and letters to volunteer parents, highlighting her impact on San Francisco's educational community alongside her gorgeous sculptural works.
Free admission policies at institutions like Manhattan's Drawing Center and Pennsylvania's Westmoreland Museum of American Art provide crucial accessibility as major museums charge increasingly prohibitive fees. Pay-what-you-wish policies, especially when clearly advertised, offer additional pathways for diverse audiences to engage with art.
Gallery dogs bring joy and life to even the stuffiest art spaces, providing tactile comfort when visitors cannot touch exhibitions. These four-legged staff members, like Ethel at DIMIN Gallery, create welcoming atmospheres that make art more approachable and enjoyable.
No-strings-attached grants from organizations like Anonymous Was a Woman, the Trellis Art Fund, and the Joan Mitchell Foundation provide essential support without burdensome reporting requirements. Given research showing artists struggle to afford studios and healthcare, unrestricted funding allows creative professionals to focus on their work rather than administrative obligations.
Finally, airport art installations like Karyn Olivier's "Approach" (2022) at Newark Liberty International Airport's Terminal A prove that thoughtful curation can improve even the most stressful travel experiences. Digital artworks at security checkpoints provide additional visual relief during airport navigation, demonstrating art's power to transform everyday spaces into more humane environments.
