New Museums Across the United States

Across the country, people are starting to venture out into museums and cultural spaces again after months of closures and uncertainty. Visitors are returning in significant numbers to meet the reduced-capacity limits imposed during the pandemic. This trend is a welcome sign that highlights how, in times of crisis, the role of art becomes even more central to our lives.

Moreover, while familiar places are reopening, many new museums are preparing to attract their very first visitors. Art, design, history, language, and even sports are being celebrated at new institutions across the country. It’s worth recognizing those that are attempting to make a comeback. If you’re looking for original experiences to look forward to, here are some of the best new and new-ish museum openings.

Note: Please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip and always follow government advice.

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures – Los Angeles

Cinephiles will celebrate movie magic in Los Angeles when this museum opens in September 2021. Dedicated to the past, present, and future of cinema, the museum will feature a temporary exhibition that highlights the 60-year career of Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki. Supported by the Academy, the organization that runs the Oscars, this museum will stand as a monument to movie history in the City of Stars. Permanent highlights include the 1000-seat David Geffen Theater, the glass Barbra Streisand Bridge, and artefacts from beloved films.

The Pocket Museum – Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Can you find Mississippi’s smallest museum? That’s the challenge you accept when visiting this quirky little museum in Hattiesburg. Tucked away in a secret alleyway, there are clues all around the town that guide you to its exact location. Getting there is half the fun. When you reach it, you’ll experience art displays and miniature vignettes that change every month, ensuring visitors encounter something new each time. In the spirit of inclusivity, the public is encouraged to submit their own work to be featured regularly. Over 14,000 visitors explored the mini museum within two months of opening last August. The Pocket Museum is open 24/7 and is free to visit.

Makeup Museum – New York City

New York City hosts the world’s first makeup museum, which opened its doors last fall. The debut exhibition focuses on the history of makeup and its societal impact. Visitors can explore how ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians enhanced their appearance with tools that were often unusual and sometimes dangerous. Additionally, they can trace the evolution of cosmetics and beauty standards throughout history. Fun elements include masterclasses and touchless, interactive displays showcasing unique beauty products. Although the museum is currently closed due to COVID restrictions, it is expected to reopen in fall.

National Museum of African American Music – Nashville

Nashville continues to shine as a music mecca with the National Museum of African American Music. Located in downtown Nashville, this museum emphasizes the crucial role African American music has played in the soundtrack of our lives. Featuring hands-on, interactive displays, it celebrates genres ranging from jazz to rap, soul, pop, and rock. This institution, the first of its kind, took 20 years to develop, ensuring every detail was carefully considered as it opened on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Harriet Tubman Museum – Cape May

Another reason to celebrate the life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman is this new museum located on the Jersey Shore. Set in the revamped former Macedonia Baptist Church on Lafayette Street in Cape May, the museum focuses on Tubman’s time as a domestic laborer and cook in the city during the 1850s while also examining the broader social justice movement within the African American community from the 1800s to the present. Although its September 2021 opening date was delayed due to the pandemic, a revised opening date will be announced soon.

Planet Word – Washington, D.C.

Dubbed the world’s first voice-activated museum, Planet Word opened last October in the Franklin School in DC. It celebrates the significance of words through immersive displays that offer enjoyable opportunities to appreciate language’s nuances. Guests can refine their public speaking skills, engage with lyrical sentences through karaoke sessions, and even create digital art using language.

The United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum – Colorado Springs

This museum, which honors and celebrates Team USA athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic games, opened in July 2020 in Colorado Springs. Its outstanding feature is that it is among the most accessible and interactive museums globally. Visitors can personalize their journey by selecting their sport preferences and accessibility needs for a 360-degree immersive experience. This includes innovative designs like open captions, audio-description tracks, assisted listening devices, universal keypads, RFID-triggered customizations, and accessible exhibit spaces with ramped experiences.

The LUME at Indianapolis Museum of Modern Art – Indianapolis

One of the world’s most popular multimedia exhibitions is coming to the US for the first time. The LUME in Indianapolis is a sensory exhibition that brings the works of Vincent Van Gogh to life through moving digital displays, musical soundscapes, colored lights, and even scents. This exhibition has been showcased in over 50 cities worldwide but will find a permanent home in the US at Newfields. It will occupy nearly 30,000 sq ft of immersive, digital art on the museum’s fourth floor. Set to open in July 2021, it’s one of the most anticipated museum launches of the year.

This article was first published in October 2020 and updated in May 2021.