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From old masters to pop artists, modern visionaries alongside a renowned Mexican director, galleries and institutions throughout the United States are preparing some spectacular shows on the horizon for 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed all the way back in 2023, now merely a placeholder listing on The Whitney’s online schedule, this major retrospective of a central creators of the Pop Art era carries significant anticipation. The museum will be drawing on its long-held collection of nearly 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, dozens borrowed works from collections around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

San Francisco sister institutions, the Legion of Honor and another, will focus on the Floating City with two linked exhibitions: one location presents a exploration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, and the latter zooms in on what impressionist Claude Monet thought of the romantic city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the prospect of painting Venice – a theme that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for centuries – yet he ultimately met the challenge, producing some 37 canvases, including the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.

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

Marking the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than 1m ft of film that was left out into the released movie, crafting an immersive experience that also serves as a homage to film. Accounts suggest the director dug deep into the archives to create what he called “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of a cherished films. Perhaps the installation will evoke some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he also chronicles. 22 February-26 July.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum will give the mixed media sculpture and installation artist a major career survey, beginning with her initial pieces and moving through to a fresh collection of pieces made from scrap metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 60s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently sources her components directly from the urban landscape, producing fascinating and strange sculptures that have appeared in some of the country’s most notable venues. With significant exhibitions in the MoMA and the Palais de Tokyo, her thirty years of creation are ready for a in-depth survey. Early Spring to Summer.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Anyone familiar with the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – this is actually one of 20 paper compositions that he paired with text and bound into a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, Chicago’s Art Institute will display the complete set of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – an unprecedented exhibition since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus around 50 of Matisse’s other works. The cut paper works represented a late stage flowering for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

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 rarely received a major show on American soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum aims to rectify that with this landmark show. Raphael is well-known for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With loans from all across Europe and more than 200 works in all, this is poised as a major event. 29 March–28 June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

NYC’s Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art presents a major, large-scale 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 here investigates the daily struggles of trans life. Lover Love is designed as a highly interactive experience, with visitors invited 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 will feature new work from this artist, who was forced to flee her home country of Uganda when her identity was revealed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for transforming discarded objects to make intricate, LGBTQ+-themed sculptures. This exhibition highlights recent pieces based on the theme of queer weddings. It extends her ongoing project of employing 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 pioneering work of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how men and women are socialized to use physical space differently, this show examines how body language influences 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 modern Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, the Seattle Art Museum showcases the haunting silhouette art of an emerging artist. Starting 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of up and coming Black artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. During the summer, an Arkansas museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his three-dimensional works. Come fall, a Michigan museum presents a collection of the artist's architectural studies. And also in September, an Arizona venue displays the colorful work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.