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From Renaissance masters to contemporary icons, contemporary greats and even a renowned Latin American director, art museums and galleries throughout the US are preparing a series of dazzling exhibitions on the horizon for 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

Announced all the way back in 2023, and currently merely a placeholder listing at The Whitney’s website, this expansive survey of one of the central creators of the Pop Art era carries some pretty heavy expectations. The institution will be drawing on its decades-old holdings of close to 500 works by Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, dozens loans from collections globally. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

San Francisco sister institutions, the Legion of Honor along with another, will be centering the Floating City through two interconnected shows: one location will offer a exploration of the city as an engine of high art throughout the centuries, and the latter zooms in on what impressionist Claude Monet thought of the romantic city of canals. The artist felt intimidated by the challenge of painting Venice – a theme that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for centuries – yet he ultimately rose to the task, producing approximately 37 canvases, among them the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.

Alejandro G Iñárritu's *Sueño Perro*: A Cinematic Resurrection

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than a million feet of footage that was left out of the final cut, creating an immersive experience that also serves as a homage to celluloid. Reportedly the director dug deep into the archives to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of a cherished films. It's possible the exhibit will instil a sense of optimism that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

Carol Bove

A major New York museum is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculpture and installation artist a major career survey, beginning with her initial pieces and progressing all the way up to a new series of pieces made from scrap metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 1960s” and minimalism, Bove often sources her components straight from the urban landscape, creating intriguing and unusual constructions that have appeared in prestigious art spots. With major shows in Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, her three decades of work are ready for a in-depth survey. Early Spring to Summer.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Anyone familiar with a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – it’s in fact one of 20 cut-paper works that he paired with text and bound into a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, a Midwestern museum will display the complete set of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – the first such showing after the museum obtained the works in 1948 – as well as around 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations were part of a late stage flowering for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

Italian master painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned masters of the Italian Renaissance – yet he has rarely received a large-scale exhibition on US soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum aims to rectify that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With loans from all across Europe and more than 200 works total, this promises to be a major event. 29 March–28 June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

A New York queer art museum presents a significant and immersive video installation by Taiwanese-American artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. In keeping with most of her work, Cheang in this piece investigates the everyday realities of trans life. The installation is designed as a very engaging experience, with audience members invited to play around with the multiple movable screens that display the central film. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases new work from this artist, who was forced to flee her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for deconstructing discarded objects to make intricate, LGBTQ+-themed assemblages. The show highlights new work based on the concept of same-sex marriage. This continues her longstanding practice of employing reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture of defiance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Building on the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are conditioned to use physical space differently, this show investigates how non-verbal communication influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s studies included art dating back to ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s findings are both exhibited and put into conversation with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

And more …

In February, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates the evocative silhouette art of an emerging artist. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is highlighting the work of rising Black artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. During the summer, an Arkansas museum reexamines 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring with a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, a Michigan museum will show a collection of the artist's architecture paintings. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum exhibits the colorful work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.