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Spanning old masters and contemporary icons, contemporary greats and even a renowned Latin American film-maker, art museums and institutions across the US are preparing a series of spectacular exhibitions on the horizon in 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed several years ago in 2023, now just a mostly empty page on The Whitney’s website, this expansive survey of a central creators of the Pop Art era comes with some pretty heavy expectations. The museum plans to utilize its long-held holdings of nearly 500 pieces from Lichtenstein, as well as, one would imagine, dozens borrowed works from institutions globally. TBD 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area partner museums, one prestigious venue and another, will be centering the Floating City with two interconnected exhibitions: the former museum will offer a exploration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, and the latter zooms in on what the Impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the prospect of depicting Venice – a theme that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually rose to the task, creating approximately 37 canvases, including the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and Spring into Summer.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his massive debut film, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits over a million feet of footage that never made it into the final cut, crafting an immersive experience that doubles as a love letter to celluloid. Accounts suggest Iñárritu dug deep into the archives to create what he called “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of one of his most beloved films. Perhaps the exhibit will evoke a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite the pain he simultaneously documents. Late Winter through Summer.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum will give the multidisciplinary sculpture and installation artist a major career survey, starting with her initial pieces and moving through to a fresh series of pieces fashioned from found metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove frequently takes her materials straight from the urban landscape, producing intriguing and unusual sculptures that have appeared in some of the country’s most notable art spots. With significant exhibitions in the MoMA and a Parisian institution, Bove’s three decades of creation are ready for a thorough overview. Early Spring to Summer.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Anyone who know the book *The Body Keeps the Score* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is actually one of 20 cut-paper works that he combined with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, a Midwestern museum exhibits all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – as well as some 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations represented a prolific final chapter for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

Italian master artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated titans of Renaissance Italy – yet he has seldom 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 works from throughout Europe and over 200 works in all, this promises to be a blockbuster show. 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 film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. As with much of her work, Cheang here investigates the everyday realities of trans life. The installation promises to be a highly interactive piece, with visitors encouraged to interact with the four moveable screens that display the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases recent creations 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 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 meaningful gesture of resistance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Expanding upon the pioneering work of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this show investigates how non-verbal communication shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s research spanned art dating back to 2000 BC. Here, Wex’s explorations are both exhibited and put into conversation with the work of contemporary diverse artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

Early in the year, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative shadow-based work of Samantha Yun Wall. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of up and coming artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring through a show of his three-dimensional works. Come fall, a Michigan museum presents a selection of the artist's architectural studies. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue exhibits the colorful work of artist Kim Chong Hak.