Established in January 2021 as a significant public cultural initiative for Datong City, the Datong Art Museum opened its doors to the public on 1 September of the same year. Operating under the auspices of the Datong Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the museum aims to establish an art exhibition and exchange platform rooted in local heritage yet oriented towards the international stage, thereby elevating the city's cultural sophistication and enhancing public aesthetic appreciation.

Designed by the internationally renowned British architectural practice Foster and Partners, the gallery's design concept deeply draws upon the essence of Datong's local culture. It ingeniously integrates the geological power of the Datong volcanic group and the artistic spirit of the Yungang Grottoes into its architectural form. Constructed using irregular polygons, the magnificent structure rises to a height of 36 metres, with a total floor area of 87,314 square metres. The venue boasts comprehensive facilities, including six large exhibition halls (5–36 metres in height) with a total display area of approximately 16,800 square metres, offering world-class exhibition spaces. Beyond the core exhibition zones, it features nearly 3,000 square metres of climate-controlled storage for collections, alongside auxiliary areas for art book reading, dining and relaxation, cultural creativity, and public education, ensuring well-equipped amenities.

Since its inauguration, Datong Art Museum has emerged as a cultural landmark and popular “must-visit” destination in the city. It has actively fulfilled its core mission by successfully curating and hosting numerous high-calibre exhibitions, including the “Portraits of the Era” exhibition of works by Xin Dongwang, the “Soulful Melodies” exhibition of works by Meng Xiangshun, and the Seventh Shanxi Provincial Oil Painting Exhibition, all of which garnered enthusiastic public response. Moving forward, the gallery will continue leveraging this platform to deepen domestic and international exchanges and collaborations, presenting more high-calibre exhibitions and events. It strives to establish itself as a museum with distinct regional characteristics and significant national influence, embodying the development paradigm of ‘small city, great art’.