New York, NY – May 29, 2025 – The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world’s most iconic cultural institutions, Rockefeller is gearing up to unveil the newly reimagined Michael C. Rockefeller Wing on May 31, 2025. This significant milestone comes after a four-year, $70 million renovation that promises to transform the visitor experience for its Arts of Africa, Ancient Americas, and Oceania galleries. Spanning over 40,000 square feet on the museum’s south side, the revamped wing will showcase over 1,800 works from five continents, offering a fresh perspective on some of the world’s most vibrant and diverse artistic traditions.
A New Vision for a Historic Collection
The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, first opened in 1982, has long been celebrated for its groundbreaking inclusion of non-Western art, particularly from sub-Saharan Africa, the Ancient Americas, and Oceania. Named after Nelson Rockefeller’s son, Michael, the wing was established following Nelson’s transformative 1969 donation of over 3,000 pieces of non-Western art to The Met. This collection, which has since tripled in size, marked a pivotal moment in broadening the museum’s global art narrative, challenging the Eurocentric focus of many institutions at the time.
The renovation, led by architect Kulapat Yantrasast of WHY Architecture in collaboration with Beyer Blinder Belle Architects LLP and The Met’s Design Department, reimagines the wing as three distinct yet interconnected spaces. Unlike the original design, which grouped these collections under the outdated label of “primitive” art, the new galleries emphasize the autonomy and individuality of each region’s artistic legacy. “Back then, these works were seen as the non-Western, ‘the other,’” said Max Hollein, The Met’s director and CEO, in an interview with The New York Times. “Our perspective has evolved.”
The redesigned galleries aim to deepen visitors’ appreciation of these cultures by presenting them with greater context and innovative display techniques. From a 12th-century fired clay figure from Mali’s Inner Niger Delta to contemporary fiber creations by Malian artist Abdoulaye Konaté, the Arts of Africa galleries will span centuries of creativity. Similarly, the Arts of Oceania will feature over 650 works from more than 140 cultures, including striking Asmat sculptures from southwest New Guinea, while the Ancient Americas galleries will highlight nearly 700 pieces, including a groundbreaking display of light-sensitive Andean textiles—the first of its kind in the United States.
A Modern Design with Cultural Sensitivity
The renovation prioritizes both aesthetic innovation and cultural sensitivity. The previous design, described by curator Alisa LaGamma as “gloomy” and resembling a “Soho loft,” has been replaced with brighter, more open spaces that integrate natural light through a state-of-the-art sloped glass wall facing Central Park. This custom-designed glazing, engineered by Beyer Blinder Belle, not only enhances energy efficiency by reducing consumption by approximately 70 percent but also includes bird-friendly frit to meet New York City building codes.
Each gallery incorporates design elements inspired by the regions they represent. In the Arts of Africa section, horizontal baffles echo the architectural details of the Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali. The Ancient Americas galleries feature stone platforms reminiscent of Mesoamerican and Andean landmarks, while the Oceania galleries adopt a diagonal layout to create a dynamic visual narrative. These thoughtful touches, combined with clean white walls and curved ceiling ribs, ensure that the focus remains on the artworks while creating a welcoming environment for visitors.
Kulapat Yantrasast, the visionary behind the project, describes his approach as a “cultural Pad Thai”—a blend of multiple perspectives that feels approachable yet unique. “Museums are true sites of empathy,” he said, emphasizing the goal of fostering connection and discovery. The new design eliminates the dark, cavernous feel of the original galleries, replacing cluttered vitrines with sleek glass “chapels” that highlight individual works and encourage visitors to engage more deeply with the art.
Celebrating Diversity and Innovation
The reimagined wing is not just about aesthetics—it’s about storytelling. The Met has collaborated with international scholars, curators, and artists to provide richer context for the collections. New wall texts, audio guides, and digital features, including films by Ethiopian documentary filmmaker Sosena Solomon, will offer contemporary perspectives and connect the artworks to their cultural and historical roots. A special exhibition, Iba N’Diaye: Between Latitude and Longitude, will run from May 31, 2025, to May 31, 2026, spotlighting the work of the Senegalese Modernist painter and his influences from both African traditions and European masters like Rembrandt and Goya.
The Oceania galleries will also feature new commissions by Indigenous Pacific artists, ensuring that living traditions are represented alongside historical works. A standout piece is the Ceremonial House Ceiling created by the Kwoma people of Papua New Guinea, a testament to the region’s vibrant artistic heritage. Meanwhile, the Ancient Americas galleries will showcase intricate featherwork and textiles, with a dedicated space for these delicate artifacts designed to preserve them while making them accessible to the public.
A Community Celebration
To mark the reopening, The Met will host a free, daylong festival on May 31, 2025, featuring live music, interactive art-making, gallery talks, and culinary offerings inspired by the collections. Vendors from the Queens Night Market will serve dishes rooted in pre-colonial traditions from regions like Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Peru, crafted by chefs with Indigenous ancestry. The festival kicks off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by festivities from noon to 6 p.m.
The celebration will also include a performance titled GOD-HOUSE by award-winning Fijian/New Zealand choreographer Jahra Wasasala, presented as part of MetLiveArts. This multidisciplinary work, developed in dialogue with the Oceanic artworks, explores themes of genealogy and transformation, creating a powerful connection between the art and its audience. Additionally, an international symposium on new archaeological discoveries in the Ancient Americas and a performance of Tetluikan: Canto a la Piedra by composer Gabriela Ortiz will further enrich the wing’s inaugural year.
A Legacy of Global Art
The renovation reflects The Met’s commitment to evolving how it presents global cultures. When the Rockefeller Wing first opened, it was a bold step toward recognizing the artistic achievements of non-Western societies. Today, this reimagining builds on that legacy, offering a more nuanced and inclusive narrative. “The primary goal of this considerable institutional project is to deepen appreciation for the greatness of the art displayed within,” said Alisa LaGamma, Curator in Charge of the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing.
The project also addresses practical concerns, such as sustainability and accessibility. The new glass wall reduces the museum’s carbon footprint, and the redesigned layout ensures easier navigation, integrating the wing more seamlessly with adjacent galleries for modern, contemporary, Greek, and Roman art. This interconnected approach underscores The Met’s mission to present art as a shared human story, transcending geographic and cultural boundaries.
Looking Ahead
As The Met prepares to welcome visitors back to the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, anticipation is high. The renovation not only revitalizes a beloved part of the museum but also sets a new standard for how global art is presented. With its blend of cutting-edge design, cultural reverence, and innovative storytelling, the wing promises to inspire and educate a new generation of art lovers.
For those eager to explore, the reopening festival on May 31 offers a perfect opportunity to experience the wing’s treasures firsthand. Tickets for the event are free with museum admission, and more details can be found on The Met’s official website. As New York City’s cultural landscape continues to evolve, the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing stands as a testament to the power of art to connect, inform, and inspire.
For more information, visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art or read about the renovation in The New York Times.
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