In its first year in a striking new building designed by Jean Nouvel, Fondation Cartier is rethinking the role of the contemporary museum. The structure, conceived in line with what philosopher Anselm Haverkamp described as “a mobile framework without any imposition on art and life”, allows the institution to present art in a fluid, evolving environment.
The inaugural exhibition, Exposition Générale, runs in Paris until August 2026 and draws extensively from the Fondation Cartier Collection. Conceived as an experimental laboratory, it places architecture, urban planning, science, and nature at the centre of the programme. The exhibition design, by the Italian studio Formafantasma, foregrounds ecological thinking, with living elements unfolding throughout the building to create an immersive environment that echoes a forest within the gallery.
From October 2026, the foundation will host The Harvest Season, a major exhibition by Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, developed in collaboration with nine guest artists. The project combines new commissions with reimagined versions of Ibrahim Mahama’s large-scale installations. It reflects his long-standing interest in collective creation and knowledge exchange, drawing on the spirit of the cultural spaces he established in Tamale, northern Ghana.
Throughout the year, discussions and public programmes will explore the evolving role of contemporary museums, while the new Paris building also expands the foundation’s engagement with performance. Site-specific commissions spanning installation, music, fashion, and spoken word will animate an open performance space integrated into the exhibition areas.
Beyond Paris, Fondation Cartier continues its global collaborations. Highlights include the exhibition Andrea Branzi by Toyo Ito: Continuous Present at Triennale Milano; a presentation of works by Yanomami artist Sheroanawe Hakihiiwe at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami; and new commissions by First Nations artists for the 25th Sydney Biennale. Together, these projects position Fondation Cartier not simply as a museum, but as a platform for cultural dialogue unfolding across continents.
Meanwhile, a new educational initiative expands the foundation’s public engagement. Opening in April 2026, the Manufacture is a 300-square-metre space dedicated to artistic practice and hands-on learning.
The name refers to the original meaning of manufacture — “made by hand” — reflecting a focus on knowledge passed on through gesture, craft, and the physical act of making. Workshops and creative programmes invite visitors to explore materials and artistic processes alongside emerging artists, craftspeople, and educators. Designed for broad accessibility, the programme welcomes school groups in the morning, adult learners in the evening, and families at weekends. Additional sessions are tailored for communities with special needs or limited access to cultural programmes.
Visit fondationcartier.com/en for more information.
