MoMA PS1 is gearing up for a major celebration as it approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026, announcing plans for the latest edition of its acclaimed quinquennial exhibition "Greater New York." The show, which spotlights art created in and around New York City, will feature more than 50 artists and is scheduled to open on April 16, 2026. This marks a significant departure from previous editions, as PS1 has decided to organize the exhibition entirely in-house rather than bringing in outside curators.
The curatorial team for the 2026 "Greater New York" exhibition will be led by PS1's own staff, including director Connie Butler, chief curator and director of curatorial affairs Ruba Katrib, and associate curators Jody Graf and Elena Ketelsen González. The team also includes assistant curator Kari Rittenbach, curatorial assistant Sheldon Gooch, and curatorial coordinator Andrea Sánchez. This internal approach represents a shift from the museum's previous practice of seeking external curatorial perspectives for the show.
"Each iteration of Greater New York is formed in relation to the artists of this city, offering a view into the practices, perspectives, and preoccupations that shape a moment," Katrib explained in a statement. She emphasized the extensive research process, noting that "over the past year, our curatorial team has spent countless hours in studio visits across the five boroughs—an energizing process that has been full of conversations, discoveries, and close-looking."
The exhibition is expected to take over the entire museum space, as has been the tradition with previous "Greater New York" shows. However, organizers have not yet announced a specific theme for the 2026 edition. The comprehensive nature of the exhibition reflects PS1's commitment to providing a thorough survey of the contemporary art scene in New York City and its surrounding areas.
The timing of the 2026 "Greater New York" exhibition is particularly notable, as it will coincide with what organizers are calling "a rare convergence" in New York's art calendar. The city's three most prominent biennial-style exhibitions are all scheduled to take place in 2026, creating an unprecedented concentration of major art events. The Whitney Biennial is set to open in the spring, followed by the New Museum Triennial later in the year.
The "Greater New York" exhibition has been a cornerstone of PS1's programming since its inception in 2000, taking place every five years to capture evolving trends in the city's art scene. The most recent edition occurred in 2021, making the 2026 show highly anticipated as it will showcase how the city's artistic landscape has transformed over the past five years. This upcoming exhibition promises to be especially significant as it celebrates both the institution's golden anniversary and the continuing vitality of New York's art community.
