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Spanning Renaissance masters and contemporary icons, modern visionaries and even a major Mexican film-maker, galleries as well as institutions throughout the US have a series of dazzling exhibitions coming up for 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed all the way back in 2023, and currently merely a mostly empty page on The Whitney’s website, this expansive survey of a central creators of the pop art movement carries significant expectations. The institution will be drawing on its long-held collection of close to 500 works from Lichtenstein, as well as, presumably, numerous borrowed works from collections around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

San Francisco partner museums, one prestigious venue along with another, will focus on the Floating City with two linked exhibitions: the former museum presents a celebration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, and the latter zooms in on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the romantic city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the challenge of depicting Venice – a subject that had captivated the most revered artists for centuries – yet he ultimately rose to the task, producing approximately 37 paintings, including the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Marking the 25th anniversary of his massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than 1m ft of film that never made it into the final cut, creating an immersive experience that doubles as a love letter to film. Accounts suggest Iñárritu delved into the vaults to create what he described as “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of a cherished films. Perhaps the exhibit will evoke some of the hope that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he also chronicles. Late Winter through Summer.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum will give the mixed media sculptor creator a major career survey, starting with her initial pieces and moving all the way up to a new series of pieces fashioned from found metal and steel tubing. Inspired by “the 60s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently takes her materials directly from the city environment, producing intriguing and unusual constructions that have been displayed in some of the country’s most notable art spots. With major shows at Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, her thirty years of creation are ready for a in-depth survey. Early Spring to Summer.

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

Those who know 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 bound into a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, Chicago’s Art Institute exhibits all 20 of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – the first such showing since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus around 50 of Matisse’s other works. These creations represented a late stage flowering for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

Italian master artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated titans of the Italian Renaissance – but he has seldom been honored with a major show on US 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 all across 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 queer art museum presents a significant and immersive film-based work by transmedia artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. In keeping with much of her work, Cheang in this piece explores the daily struggles of transgender existence. Lover Love is designed as a very engaging piece, with visitors encouraged to interact with the four moveable screens that show the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston will feature new work from this artist, who was compelled to leave her home country of Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for transforming unconventional materials to make elaborate, LGBTQ+-themed sculptures. The show showcases recent pieces based on the concept of same-sex marriage. This continues her longstanding practice of using found items as a meaningful gesture of defiance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Expanding upon the pioneering work of west 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 studies spanned art dating back to ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s explorations are displayed and put into conversation with the work of contemporary diverse artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

And more …

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the haunting silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of rising Black artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, an Arkansas museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring with a show of his sculptural works. In September, the Detroit Institute of Arts presents a selection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architecture paintings. And also in September, an Arizona venue displays the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.