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Spanning old masters to pop artists, contemporary greats alongside a major Mexican director, art museums and galleries throughout the United States have a series of spectacular exhibitions coming up in 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed all the way back in 2023, and currently just a mostly empty page on The Whitney’s online schedule, this expansive survey of one of the pioneering figures of the pop art movement carries significant expectations. The institution will be drawing on its long-held holdings of close to 500 pieces from Lichtenstein, as well as, one would imagine, dozens loans from institutions around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

San Francisco partner museums, the Legion of Honor and deYoung, will be centering the Floating City through two linked shows: one location will offer a celebration of the city as an engine of high art throughout the centuries, while the other will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the romantic city of canals. The artist felt intimidated by the prospect of painting Venice – a subject that had captivated the most revered artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually rose to the task, creating some 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 quarter-century of his massive debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than a million feet of film that was left out of the final cut, creating an immersive experience that also serves as a love letter to film. Reportedly the director dug deep into the archives to create what he called “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of a cherished films. It's possible the exhibit will evoke a sense of optimism that pervades Iñárritu’s film despite the hardship he simultaneously documents. Late Winter through Summer.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum will give the multidisciplinary sculpture and installation creator a major career survey, starting with her early works and moving through to a new series of pieces fashioned from scrap metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove often takes her materials straight from the urban landscape, creating fascinating and strange constructions that have appeared in prestigious venues. With major shows at the MoMA and a Parisian institution, her three decades of work are ready for a thorough overview. Early Spring to Summer.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Those who know the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is actually one of 20 cut-paper works that he paired with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, Chicago’s Art Institute exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus around 50 of Matisse’s other works. These creations were part of a prolific final chapter for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

The great artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated masters of Renaissance Italy – yet he has seldom been honored with a major show on US soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum seeks to change that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is well-known for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring works from throughout 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

A New York Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art will host a significant and immersive video installation by transmedia artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in digital art. In keeping with most of her work, Cheang here investigates the everyday realities of transgender existence. The installation promises to be a very engaging piece, with visitors encouraged to play around with the multiple movable screens that display the central film. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston will feature 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. This exhibition showcases recent pieces based on the theme of queer weddings. It extends her longstanding practice of using reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture 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 inhabit space differently, this show investigates how body language shapes unspoken interaction. Wex’s research spanned art dating back to 2000 BC. In this presentation, Wex’s explorations are both exhibited and juxtaposed with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

Early in the year, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the haunting silhouette art of an emerging artist. Starting 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of rising artist an innovative creator. During the summer, an Arkansas museum revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring with a show of his three-dimensional works. In September, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a selection of the artist's architectural studies. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum exhibits the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.