Discover the must-see cultural events for spring 2022

Get inspired by our list of unmissable exhibitions and cultural events for spring 2022, handpicked by our team of global experts. 

In-person experiences with ultra-sensorial elements are one of the highlights for 2022 across regions – exhibitions are creating much-needed 'wow' moments for audiences thirsty for inspiration. Meanwhile, digital art and virtual experiences remain essential for overseas audiences unable to travel just yet. NFTs, on the other hand, become new additions to many physical fairs as the concept of the metaverse takes off.

In the Americas, the connection between identity and the digital realm becomes a core theme. Our eyes are on Cakeland, an experimental and instagrammable LA space that is decorated entirely in icing and cake matter. Currently on view is The Beauty War, which explores ideas of spirituality, self and light and dark, tapping into the growing interest in the occult. 

The explosion of NFTs in the cultural sphere has led to the opening of the Seattle NFT Museum this month. The first museum solely dedicated to NFTs, it is a must-see as the trend continues to rocket. 

In Europe, experiential, sensorial and inclusive exhibitions such as Barbican's exhibition, Our Time on Earth, and artist Anicka Yi’s exhibition at Pirelli HangarBicocca are must-sees that bring new perspectives to audiences. The former celebrates the biosphere through immersive installations and digital work, while the latter explores complex ecosystems using scents and bacteria. In London, put the V&A’s Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear in your diary, a show which celebrates the flair and diversity of menswear through the ages.

Across Asia we are seeing exciting new exhibition spaces opening up, such as the M+ museum in Hong Kong, as well as the Chengdu Museum of Contemporary Art and the Chengdu Tianfu Art Museum that are hosting the Cheng Du Biennale. In Melbourne, rhe National Gallery of Victoria’s Queer explores 400 artworks through the lens of queerness while in Singapore, another must-see is Nam June Paik: The Future is Now at the National Gallery.

If you’re a WGSN subscriber, get inspired by our best picks of upcoming exhibitions via our Culture Guide: Spring 2022. Live now on the site.