Spanning Renaissance masters to pop artists, contemporary greats and even a renowned Latin American film-maker, art museums as well as galleries across the US have a series of spectacular exhibitions coming up for 2026.
The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein
First revealed all the way back during 2023, now merely a mostly empty page on The Whitney’s website, this expansive survey of one of the pioneering figures of the Pop Art era comes with some pretty heavy expectations. The institution plans to utilize its long-held collection of close to 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, as well as, presumably, numerous loans from collections globally. Dates to be announced 2026.
Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet
Bay Area partner museums, one prestigious venue 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 throughout the centuries, while the other will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the romantic city of canals. The artist was daunted by the challenge of painting Venice – a theme that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually met the challenge, producing approximately 37 paintings, including the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.
Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his massive debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than 1m ft of footage that was left out of the released movie, crafting an art installation that also serves as a homage to celluloid. Reportedly the director dug deep into the archives to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the exhibit will evoke a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite the hardship he simultaneously documents. Late Winter through Summer.
Carol Bove
The Guggenheim is dedicating the mixed media sculptor creator a major career survey, starting with her early works and moving through to a fresh series of pieces made from scrap metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 60s” and Minimalist art, Bove often sources her components directly from the city environment, creating intriguing and unusual sculptures that have appeared in prestigious venues. With major shows in Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, Bove’s three decades of work are ready for a thorough overview. Early Spring to Summer.
Henri Matisse's *Jazz*: A Symphony of Cut Paper
Those familiar with the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – it’s actually one of 20 paper compositions that he paired with text and published as a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, a Midwestern museum will display all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing after the museum obtained the works in 1948 – as well as around 50 of Matisse’s other works. The cut paper works represented 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 – but he has rarely received a major show on US 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*. Featuring loans from throughout Europe and over 200 works total, this is poised as a major event. Late March through June.
Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love
A New York queer art museum will host a significant and immersive video installation by Taiwanese-American artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in digital art. As with most of her work, Cheang here explores the daily struggles of trans life. Lover Love promises to be a highly interactive piece, with visitors encouraged to interact with the multiple movable screens that show the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.
Leilah Babirye
A Boston contemporary art center showcases recent creations from this artist, who was compelled to leave her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for deconstructing unconventional materials to make elaborate, LGBTQ+-themed sculptures. This exhibition showcases new work based on the theme of same-sex marriage. It extends her ongoing project of using found items as a symbolic act of resistance. 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 analyzed how genders are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this show examines how non-verbal communication shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s research spanned art as old as ancient sculptures. In this presentation, Wex’s explorations are displayed and juxtaposed with the work of contemporary diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.
Additional Highlights for 2026
Early in the year, a Pacific Northwest institution celebrates the evocative silhouette art of an emerging artist. Starting 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of up and coming Black artist an innovative creator. During the summer, an Arkansas museum revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring with a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, a Michigan museum presents a selection of the artist's architectural studies. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum exhibits the colorful work of artist Kim Chong Hak.
