Reimagining the Galleries for the Art of the Ancient West Asia and the Art of Ancient Cyprus
The Met’s galleries for the Arts of Ancient West Asia have temporarily closed in preparation for the new renovation project which will reenvision the collection for a new generation of visitors.
In 2022, the Departments of the art of Ancient West Asia and Greek and Roman Art embarked on a conceptual and physical renovation of galleries that house collections that span over 10,000 years of history. The reimagined installation will introduce an innovative and forward-thinking approach to the display of ancient art from the island of Cyprus and from West Asia—a vast region that includes ancient Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Syria, the Eastern Mediterranean coast, Yemen, and Central Asia. By bringing these two major collection areas into dialogue with each other and with surrounding collections, this project will highlight the many connections among ancient cultures in these regions. The dynamic reinstallation will present new research and diverse narratives that contextualize objects within their own time as well as within contemporary discourse.
The 15,000-square-foot space will feature architectural and design elements that reflect the materials and geographic origins of the works of art on view; it will also invite people to gather and engage with art and history from multiple perspectives. Preparation and construction work are now underway. The galleries are scheduled to open in 2027.
Stay up-to-date on gallery closures by checking the Museum map as you plan your visit, and return to this page for additional information about this project as it unfolds.
How to see the Collection
Installation at The Met
- New Perspectives on the Art of Ancient West Asia (through Spring 2026 on the Museum’s Great Hall Balcony). The installation introduces some of the new stories and approaches that will feature in the redesigned permanent galleries, scheduled to open in 2027, as well as making part of the collection available and accessible to the public while the gallery renovation is underway.
Tour Exhibitions
- The Met Au Louvre: Near Eastern Antiquities in Dialogue, Louvre Museum, Paris, France (now through September 28, 2025)
Press Coverage
"NADAAA’s intervention enters into the complex discussion of what role a museum plays in today's world." — Architectural Record
"The renovation will also bring these two major collection areas into dialogue with each other, reflecting areas of interconnection between their cultures in antiquity." — The Metropolitan Museum of Art
"The Metropolitan Museum of Art is planning a $40 million initiative to renovate its Ancient Near East and Cypriot galleries...." — New York Times
Meet the Galleries
