Time, Performance, and Possibility at the Guggenheim: January’s Must-See Moments

Courtesy of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

January at the Guggenheim Museum is charged with urgency and creative momentum, as landmark exhibitions, live performances, and intimate conversations converge across the iconic rotunda. With just days left to experience Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in a season that celebrates time, movement, and artistic exchange—marking the close of an extraordinary nine-month journey.

Closing on January 19, Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers stands as one of the museum’s most ambitious undertakings, uniting more than 300 artists across generations for over 200 performances. The exhibition pulses with live energy through its ongoing Performance Series, where musicians perform on the piano in Sanguine, and poets activate the Rotunda Stage. These final days offer a rare chance to witness art unfolding in real time, blurring boundaries between visual art, sound, and spoken word.

As preparations begin for the highly anticipated Carol Bove survey, rotunda access will be temporarily limited—but this shift opens space to rediscover gems from the Guggenheim’s collection. Visitors can explore the expressive power of German Expressionist pioneer Gabriele Münter, reflect on the legacy of Robert Rauschenberg during the centenary of his birth, and encounter masterworks by Natalia Goncharova, Vasily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, and others. Reduced ticket prices make this an ideal moment to engage deeply with these historic voices.

Community and creativity take center stage through programs designed for all ages. Art Cart: Gabriele Münter invites families and visitors into hands-on gallery experiences, while Stroller Hour offers parents and caregivers a calm, early-morning exploration of Rashid Johnson’s exhibition. These initiatives reinforce the Guggenheim’s commitment to accessibility, learning, and shared discovery.

After hours, the museum turns into a forum for ideas shaping tomorrow’s cultural landscape. On January 21, Guggenheim Director and CEO Mariët Westermann joins cultural strategist András Szántó for a conversation inspired by his new book, The Future of the Art World: 38 Dialogues. The evening promises insight into how institutions, artists, and audiences are redefining art’s role in a rapidly changing world.

Rounding out the month, the Works & Process series brings performance to the forefront with dance, opera, and theater—from the Underground Uptown Dance Festival to Complications in Sue by Michael R. Jackson and Signature Theatre’s Mother Russia. Together, these events affirm January as a moment when the Guggenheim is not just a museum, but a living stage for experimentation, dialogue, and cultural connection.