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From old masters to pop artists, modern visionaries and even a renowned Latin American director, art museums and galleries across the United States have some dazzling exhibitions coming up in 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed several years ago during 2023, and currently just a mostly empty page on The Whitney’s online schedule, this expansive survey of one of the pioneering figures of the Pop Art era comes with some pretty heavy anticipation. The institution plans to utilize its long-held holdings of nearly 500 works by Lichtenstein, as well as, one would imagine, numerous loans from institutions globally. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area partner museums, the Legion of Honor and another, will focus on the Floating City through two interconnected exhibitions: the former museum will offer a celebration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, and the latter zooms in on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the romantic city of canals. The artist was daunted by the challenge of painting Venice – a subject that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – yet he ultimately rose to the task, producing some 37 paintings, including the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and 21 March-26 July.

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

Celebrating the quarter-century of his massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than a million feet of footage that never made it of the final cut, crafting an immersive experience that also serves as a homage to film. Accounts suggest Iñárritu delved into the vaults to create what he called “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the installation will instil a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite the hardship he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculptor artist a major career survey, beginning with her initial pieces and moving through to a new series of works made from scrap metal and steel tubing. Inspired by “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove often sources her components straight from the city environment, producing intriguing and unusual sculptures that have been displayed in some of the country’s most notable venues. Having had significant exhibitions in Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, her three decades of work are ready for a in-depth overview. Early Spring to Summer.

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

Anyone familiar with a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – it’s actually one of 20 paper compositions that he combined with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, Chicago’s Art Institute exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition after the museum acquired the works in 1948 – plus around 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations were part of a prolific final chapter for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

Italian master painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated masters of Renaissance Italy – but he has rarely received a large-scale exhibition on American soil. A premier East Coast institution seeks to change that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is famous for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With works from all across Europe and over 200 works total, this promises to be a major event. Late March through June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

NYC’s Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art presents a significant and immersive video installation by Taiwanese-American artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in new media art. As with most of her work, Cheang in this piece investigates the everyday realities of trans life. The installation promises to be a highly interactive piece, with audience members encouraged to play around with the multiple movable screens that show the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases new work from this artist, who was forced to flee her native Uganda when her identity was revealed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for deconstructing discarded objects to make intricate, LGBTQ+-themed assemblages. The show highlights new work based on the theme of queer weddings. This continues her ongoing project of employing found items as a meaningful gesture of defiance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Expanding upon the pioneering work of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how men and women are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this show examines how non-verbal communication shapes unspoken interaction. Wex’s research spanned art dating back to 2000 BC. Here, Wex’s findings are displayed and put into conversation with the work of contemporary diverse artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, the Seattle Art Museum showcases the evocative shadow-based work of an emerging artist. Beginning 5 March, an art gallery is featuring the work of rising Black artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, an Arkansas museum revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a selection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architectural studies. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.