The world of museums is abuzz with anticipation as new institutions prepare to open their doors in 2022. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, the museum landscape promises a vibrant array of exhibits and collections. Here are some of the most eagerly awaited museum openings this year:
1. International African American Museum, Charleston, South Carolina
Located in Charleston’s Gadsden’s Wharf, the International African American Museum is set to open in late 2022. This groundbreaking museum aims to shed light on previously untold stories of the African American journey. It delves into the history of enslaved Africans, free blacks, and their descendants in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. Visitors will explore historical figures and events, the role of South Carolina in the international slave trade, and the global impact of African American culture. The museum also provides a Center for Family History, enabling members of the African diaspora to trace their genealogy.
2. National Museum, Oslo, Norway
After eight years in the making, Norway’s new National Museum is scheduled to open its doors to the public on June 11, 2022. This state-owned space, located on Oslo’s revitalized waterfront, houses the collections of Norway’s National Gallery, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Museum of Decorative Arts under one roof. It becomes the largest museum in the Nordic countries, showcasing approximately 5,000 works from its 400,000-piece collection. Notable pieces include a 1,000-year-old Baldishol tapestry and works by renowned artists like Vincent van Gogh and Edvard Munch.
3. Bob Dylan Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Opening in May 2022, the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa’s Arts District tells the story of the iconic singer-songwriter through a treasure trove of over 100,000 pieces of Dylan memorabilia. From handwritten manuscripts to unreleased concert recordings, the museum covers Dylan’s life journey, from his early days in Duluth, Minnesota, to his Nobel Prize in Literature. Visitors can immerse themselves in legendary songs and watch clips of Dylan documentaries and performances, providing an intimate look into the life and work of one of the greatest songwriters in history.
4. Museum of Modern Electronic Music, Frankfurt, Germany
In April 2022, Frankfurt’s Museum of Modern Electronic Music (MOMEM) opens its doors to celebrate the electronic music and club culture that flourished in the 1980s and ’90s. The museum offers a sensory experience, featuring live audio-visual light shows, art installations, and a collection of club flyers and electronic music cover art. With a futuristic building and a 360-degree sound wave panorama, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the electronic music scene.
5. Hong Kong Palace Museum, Hong Kong
In a historic collaboration, Beijing’s Palace Museum has joined forces with Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District Authority to create the Hong Kong Palace Museum, set to open in July. This seven-story museum on the Victoria Harbour waterfront features nearly 82,000 square feet of exhibit space and hundreds of Palace artifacts, both ancient and contemporary. It blends classic and contemporary architectural styles, offering a unique cultural experience that bridges historic Chinese art with the urban environment of Hong Kong.
These are just a few of the exciting museum openings to look forward to in 2022, offering a diverse range of cultural experiences, from African American history to electronic music and beyond. As these institutions prepare to welcome visitors, they promise to enrich our understanding of the world’s history, culture, and art.
