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Spanning old masters to contemporary icons, modern visionaries and even a renowned Latin American director, art museums as well as galleries throughout the United States are preparing some spectacular shows on the horizon for 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed several years ago during 2023, and currently merely a placeholder listing on a major museum's website, this expansive survey of a central creators of the Pop Art era comes with some pretty heavy anticipation. The museum plans to utilize its long-held holdings of close to 500 pieces from Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, dozens loans from collections globally. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

San Francisco partner museums, the Legion of Honor and another, will focus on Venice through two linked exhibitions: one location presents a exploration of the city as an engine of high art throughout the centuries, while the other zooms in on what impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the prospect of painting Venice – a subject that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for centuries – yet he ultimately met the challenge, producing some 37 paintings, among them the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and Spring into Summer.

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

Marking the quarter-century of his massive debut film, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than a million feet of footage that never made it into the released movie, crafting an immersive experience that doubles as a love letter to film. Reportedly the director dug deep into the vaults to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of a cherished films. It's possible the installation will instil a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite the hardship he also chronicles. Late Winter through Summer.

Carol Bove

The Guggenheim will give the mixed media sculpture and installation creator a comprehensive retrospective, starting with her early works and moving through to a new collection of works made from scrap metal and steel tubing. Drawing from “the 1960s” and minimalism, Bove frequently takes her components directly from the city environment, producing intriguing and unusual sculptures that have been displayed in prestigious art spots. With major shows in the MoMA and a Parisian institution, Bove’s thirty years of work are ripe for a thorough survey. Early Spring to Summer.

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

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 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 all 20 of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – the first such showing since the museum acquired the works in 1948 – plus some 50 of Matisse’s other works. These creations represented a prolific final chapter for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

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 been honored with a major show on American soil. A premier East Coast institution aims to rectify that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is well-known for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring loans from throughout Europe and over 200 works total, this promises to be a major event. 29 March–28 June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

NYC’s Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art will host a major, large-scale video installation by transmedia artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in new media art. As with much of her work, Cheang here explores the daily struggles of trans life. The installation promises to be a highly interactive experience, with audience members encouraged to play around with the multiple movable screens that show the central film. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases 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 deconstructing discarded objects to make intricate, queer-themed sculptures. The show showcases recent pieces based on the concept of same-sex marriage. It extends her longstanding practice of using found items as a meaningful gesture of defiance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

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 exhibition examines how non-verbal communication influences unconscious interaction. Wex’s research spanned art as old as ancient sculptures. In this presentation, Wex’s findings are displayed and juxtaposed with the work of modern diverse artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

And more …

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution celebrates the evocative shadow-based work of Samantha Yun Wall. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is highlighting the work of rising Black artist an innovative creator. During the summer, an Arkansas museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. In September, a Michigan museum will show a selection of the artist's architecture paintings. Simultaneously, the Phoenix Art Museum exhibits the colorful work of artist Kim Chong Hak.