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From old masters to pop artists, modern visionaries alongside a renowned Mexican director, art museums and institutions throughout the United States are preparing a series of dazzling exhibitions coming up for 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced all the way back in 2023, now just a mostly empty page at The Whitney’s online schedule, this expansive survey of a central creators of the pop art movement comes with significant expectations. The museum plans to utilize its long-held holdings of close to 500 pieces from Lichtenstein, as well as, presumably, numerous borrowed works from collections globally. TBD 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

San Francisco sister institutions, one prestigious venue and deYoung, will focus on the Floating City through two interconnected exhibitions: the former museum will offer a celebration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, while the other will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the challenge of depicting Venice – a subject that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for centuries – yet he ultimately met the challenge, producing approximately 37 paintings, among them the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and Spring into Summer.

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

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than a million feet of footage that never made it of the released movie, crafting an art installation that also serves as a homage to celluloid. Accounts suggest Iñárritu delved into the archives to create what he described as “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of one of his most beloved films. Perhaps the exhibit will instil a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he also chronicles. Late Winter through Summer.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculptor creator a major career survey, starting with her early works and moving all the way up to a new collection of works made from found metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove often sources her components straight from the urban landscape, creating intriguing and unusual sculptures that have been displayed in prestigious art spots. Having had significant exhibitions in Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, her three decades of work are ripe for a thorough overview. 5 March–2 August.

Henri Matisse's *Jazz*: A Symphony of Cut Paper

Anyone familiar with the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is actually 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 since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – as well as around 50 of Matisse’s other works. These creations were part of a prolific final chapter for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

The great artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned titans of the Italian Renaissance – yet he has seldom received a major show on US soil. A premier East Coast institution aims to rectify that with this landmark show. Raphael is well-known for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With loans from throughout Europe and over 200 works total, this is poised as a blockbuster show. 29 March–28 June.

Shu Lea Cheang's *Lover Love*: An Interactive Vision

NYC’s Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art presents a significant and immersive film-based work by Taiwanese-American artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. In keeping with much of her work, Cheang here explores the daily struggles of transgender existence. The installation is designed as a very engaging piece, with audience members invited to play around with the multiple movable screens that show the central film. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye

A Boston contemporary art center will feature recent creations from this artist, who was compelled to leave her home country of Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for deconstructing unconventional materials to make elaborate, LGBTQ+-themed sculptures. The show highlights new work based on the theme of queer weddings. It extends her ongoing project of using reclaimed materials as a symbolic act of defiance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Building on the foundational research of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are conditioned to use physical space differently, this exhibition examines how non-verbal communication influences unconscious interaction. Wex’s studies included art as old as 2000 BC. In this presentation, Wex’s explorations are displayed and put into conversation with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

Early in the year, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative shadow-based work of an emerging artist. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is featuring the work of rising Black artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring with a show of his sculptural works. In September, a Michigan museum will show a selection of the artist's architectural studies. And also in September, an Arizona venue exhibits the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.