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From old masters to contemporary icons, contemporary greats alongside a major Latin American director, galleries as well as institutions throughout the US are preparing a series of spectacular exhibitions coming up in 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

Announced several years ago in 2023, now merely a placeholder listing on The Whitney’s online schedule, this expansive survey of one of the pioneering figures of the Pop Art era carries significant anticipation. The museum plans to utilize its long-held collection of close to 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, in addition to, one would imagine, dozens loans from collections around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area sister institutions, one prestigious venue along with another, will focus on the Floating City through two interconnected shows: the former museum presents a celebration of the city as a source of high art for hundreds of years, and the latter zooms in on what impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the prospect of depicting Venice – a theme that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for centuries – but he eventually rose to the task, creating approximately 37 canvases, among them the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and Spring into Summer.

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

Marking the quarter-century of his groundbreaking first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than a million feet of film that was left out of the released movie, creating an art installation that also serves as a love letter to celluloid. Accounts suggest the director delved into the vaults to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of a cherished films. It's possible the exhibit will evoke a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

The Guggenheim is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculpture and installation creator a major career survey, beginning with her early works and progressing all the way up to a new series of works fashioned from found metal and steel tubing. Drawing from “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove frequently takes her materials directly from the city environment, creating fascinating and strange constructions that have appeared in some of the country’s most notable art spots. Having had major shows in Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, Bove’s three decades of work are ripe for a in-depth survey. 5 March–2 August.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Anyone familiar with the book *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 combined with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, Chicago’s Art Institute will display the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing since the museum acquired the works in 1948 – as well as around 50 additional pieces by the artist. The cut paper works represented a late stage flowering for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

The great artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned masters of Renaissance Italy – yet he has rarely received a large-scale exhibition on American soil. A premier East Coast institution seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous 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 major, large-scale film-based work by Taiwanese-American artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. As with most of her work, Cheang in this piece investigates 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 core footage. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye

A Boston contemporary art center showcases new work from this artist, who was compelled to leave her native Uganda when her identity was revealed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for deconstructing discarded objects to make elaborate, LGBTQ+-themed sculptures. This exhibition highlights recent pieces based on the theme of same-sex marriage. It extends her longstanding practice 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 pioneering work of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how men and women are conditioned to use physical space differently, this exhibition investigates how body language influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s research spanned art as old as ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s findings are both exhibited 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 silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is highlighting the work of rising artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. In the summer months, an Arkansas museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a collection of the artist's architecture paintings. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue displays the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.