The High Museum of Art will celebrate its 100th anniversary in fall 2026 with a revamped gallery program, over 200 new acquisitions, public art activations, and a slate of community events.

Under Director Rand Suffolk, the museum has increased the share of visitors of color from 15% to 55% and has sharpened its focus on exhibitions featuring women artists, artists of color, and LGBTQ+ creators.

The David C. Driskell Prize, established in 2005, will be awarded in 2026 to Cheryl Finley, acknowledging a distinguished career in African American art history.

Centennial exhibitions will include Martin Puryear: Nexus and I SPY! Walter Wick’s Hidden Wonders, highlighting contemporary sculpture and innovative visual investigations.

During the 2026-27 school year, Atlanta Public Schools will receive free admission for K-12 field trips, expanding access to about 4,000 APS students annually.

Centennial galleries will reorganize American and African art by thematic and material connections rather than strict chronology, featuring acquisitions such as a Jacob Lawrence painting, a Carolyn L. Mazloomi quilt, and a Grandma Moses work.

The centennial program aims to broaden audience reach and reinforce the museum as a vital Atlanta cultural institution through ongoing community programming and touring conversations.

The museum will partner with MARTA, the Atlanta BeltLine, the Atlanta Hawks, Havertys, UPS, and Delta Air Lines for public art installations and activations.

A commemorative centennial book with 100 large-scale reproductions and a visual timeline, along with a new museum visual identity, are planned for launch.

New works across photography, contemporary design, and contemporary art will be added, totaling more than 200 pieces.

Centennial events include a Block Party on Oct. 18, High Recipe Revival on Oct. 7, UPS Second Sunday on Oct. 11, and additional fall programs.