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Spanning Renaissance masters to contemporary icons, contemporary greats alongside a renowned Latin American film-maker, galleries and institutions across the US have a series of spectacular exhibitions coming up in 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed several years ago during 2023, and currently merely a placeholder listing at The Whitney’s website, this major retrospective of a central creators of the Pop Art era comes with significant anticipation. The museum plans to utilize its long-held collection of close to 500 works from Lichtenstein, as well as, presumably, dozens borrowed works from collections globally. TBD 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

San Francisco partner museums, one prestigious venue along with deYoung, will focus on Venice through two linked shows: the former museum presents a exploration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, while the other will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet made of the romantic city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the challenge of depicting Venice – a subject that had inspired the most revered artists for centuries – but he eventually met the challenge, producing some 37 paintings, among them the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.

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

Marking the quarter-century of his groundbreaking first feature, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than a million feet of film that never made it of the final cut, creating 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 “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of a cherished films. Perhaps the installation will evoke a sense of optimism that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he simultaneously documents. Late Winter through Summer.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum will give the mixed media sculpture and installation creator a comprehensive retrospective, starting with her early works and moving all the way up to a new collection of pieces fashioned from found metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove frequently sources her components straight from the urban landscape, creating intriguing and unusual sculptures that have appeared in prestigious venues. With significant exhibitions at Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, her three decades of work are ready for a in-depth overview. 5 March–2 August.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Anyone who know a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is in fact one of 20 paper compositions that he paired with text and published as a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, a Midwestern museum exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – an unprecedented exhibition after the museum obtained the works in 1948 – as well as some 50 additional pieces by the artist. The cut paper works were part of a prolific final chapter for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

Italian master painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated titans of the Italian Renaissance – but he has rarely received a major show on US soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With loans from all across Europe and over 200 works total, this promises to be a major event. Late March through June.

Shu Lea Cheang's *Lover Love*: An Interactive Vision

NYC’s Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art presents a significant and immersive film-based work 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 explores the daily struggles of trans life. The installation promises to be a highly interactive experience, with visitors invited to interact with the four moveable screens that display the central film. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston will feature recent creations from this artist, who was forced to flee her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for deconstructing discarded objects to make elaborate, queer-themed sculptures. This exhibition showcases new work based on the concept of queer weddings. It extends her longstanding practice of employing found items as a symbolic act of defiance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Expanding upon 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 unconscious interaction. Wex’s research spanned art dating back to 2000 BC. Here, Wex’s findings are both exhibited and put into conversation with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

Early in the year, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the haunting silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is highlighting the work of rising Black artist an innovative creator. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring with a show of his three-dimensional works. Come fall, a Michigan museum will show a collection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architectural studies. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue exhibits the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.