CORNING, NY (607NewsNow) — To celebrate its 50th year in operation, the Rockwell Museum will feature a year-long series of exhibits and programs for 2026.
The anniversary theme, Rockwell Reframed, honors the museum’s past while also looking ahead to the future. The 2026 season will start with the Native Now: Contemporary Indigenous Art at The Rockwell Museum (January 24 – May 4, 2026) exhibition to honor more than 25 years of collecting Indigenous art. Featuring paintings, photos, sculptures, and installations by artists such as Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Virgil Ortiz, Wendy Red Star, Sarah Sense, Hayden Haynes, and, on view for the first time, the Museum’s latest acquisition by Edgar Heap of Birds, Native Now honors the past, present, and future of Indigenous art.
“At 50, we are reframing what a museum can be,” said Erin M. Coe, Executive Director of The Rockwell Museum. “As a collaborative partner with living artists and community organizations, we are committed to re-centering diverse perspectives in our storytelling and redefining the museum experience through innovative approaches to interpretive exploration, deepening our impact and enhancing the well-being of both individuals and the communities we serve. Our 50th year is both a milestone and a launchpad.”
The Museum’s anniversary also coincides with America 250, the nationwide commemoration of the United States’ founding. A Smithsonian Affiliate and steward of American art, The Rockwell aims to contribute to this historic year by presenting exhibitions and programs that showcase the nation’s evolving cultural narratives and amplify the voices of artists past and present.
Every second Saturday at 2 p.m. from February to December, visitors can stop in for a staff-led tour of the collection highlights. Find more information on the Rockwell Museum here.
