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Spanning old masters to contemporary icons, contemporary greats alongside a major Mexican film-maker, galleries as well as galleries throughout the United States are preparing a series of dazzling exhibitions coming up in 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed all the way back in 2023, and currently merely a placeholder listing at The Whitney’s online schedule, this expansive survey of a central creators of the pop art movement carries significant expectations. The institution will be drawing on its decades-old collection of nearly 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, the Legion of Honor along with deYoung, will be centering the Floating City through two interconnected shows: one location presents a exploration of the city as a source of high art for hundreds of years, while the other zooms in 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 captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually met the challenge, creating approximately 37 paintings, among them the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and 21 March-26 July.

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

Marking the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than a million feet of film that never made it into the released movie, creating an immersive experience that doubles as a love letter to celluloid. Accounts suggest the director dug deep into the archives to create what he called “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of a cherished films. It's possible the exhibit will evoke some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite the hardship he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

Carol Bove

A major New York museum is dedicating the mixed media sculptor artist a major career survey, beginning with her initial pieces and progressing through to a fresh series of works fashioned from found metal and steel tubing. Inspired by “the 60s” and Minimalist art, Bove often takes her materials directly from the city environment, producing fascinating and strange constructions that have been displayed in prestigious art spots. With significant exhibitions at Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, her three decades of creation are ripe for a in-depth overview. 5 March–2 August.

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

Anyone who know the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is in fact one of 20 paper compositions that he combined with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, a Midwestern museum will display the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus around 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 artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned titans of the Italian Renaissance – yet he has seldom received a large-scale exhibition on American soil. A premier East Coast institution aims to rectify that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is well-known for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring works from all across Europe and more than 200 works in all, this is poised as a blockbuster show. Late March through June.

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

NYC’s queer art museum will host a significant and immersive film-based work by Taiwanese-American artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in digital art. In keeping with much of her work, Cheang here investigates the everyday realities of trans life. The installation promises to be a highly interactive piece, with audience members encouraged to play around with the multiple movable screens that show the central film. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston 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 transforming discarded objects to make elaborate, queer-themed sculptures. The show highlights new work based on the theme of queer weddings. This continues her longstanding practice of using found items as a symbolic act of defiance. 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 socialized to use physical space differently, this show investigates how body language influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s studies included art dating back to 2000 BC. Here, Wex’s explorations are both exhibited and put into conversation with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, the Seattle Art Museum showcases the haunting silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is highlighting the work of up and coming artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a selection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architecture paintings. Simultaneously, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.