Hauser & Wirth, a prominent Swiss art gallery, is significantly influencing the New York art scene by supporting major exhibitions at leading museums such as the Guggenheim, Whitney, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The gallery's involvement is part of a broader trend where commercial galleries play a crucial role in funding museum exhibitions, a shift driven by financial challenges faced by museums, particularly during the pandemic. This influence is highlighted by Hauser & Wirth artists dominating exhibitions, leading some to dub the season 'Hauser spring.' While some view the collaboration between mega-galleries and museums as a necessity for promoting artists, others express concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the impact on art diversity. The relationship between museums and galleries has evolved, with galleries providing logistical and financial support, a once-taboo practice, now commonplace in a financially strained art world.

Hauser & Wirth has become a dominant force in the New York art scene, supporting major exhibitions at prestigious museums like the Guggenheim, Whitney, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, highlighting its artists in prominent shows.

A New York Times analysis revealed that nearly 25% of solo exhibitions at major New York museums since 2019 featured artists from just 11 leading galleries, with Hauser & Wirth leading the pack with 18 exhibitions.

The financial difficulties faced by museums during the pandemic, such as decreased attendance and funding, have pushed them to seek support from commercial galleries, changing the dynamic and reducing previous stigma around such partnerships.

Critics argue that the close ties between galleries and museums could lead to conflicts of interest, as museum shows often enhance artists' reputations and increase the commercial value of their works, benefiting their galleries.

Hauser & Wirth's strategy includes helping museums with logistical support, securing loans from collectors, and organizing events, which strengthens the gallery's influence and aids in promoting its artists' careers.

The trend of collaboration between galleries and museums reflects a broader shift in the art world, where galleries help fill funding gaps left by declining corporate sponsorships, raising concerns about the diversity of artists represented in exhibitions.

Despite concerns, some museum leaders emphasize the shared goal of benefiting artists and acknowledge the necessity of gallery support in the current financial landscape, which has blurred the lines between commercial and institutional art spheres.