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Spanning old masters to contemporary icons, modern visionaries and even a major Latin American director, art museums as well as institutions throughout the US are preparing some dazzling exhibitions coming up in 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed all the way back during 2023, now just a mostly empty page at The Whitney’s online schedule, this major retrospective of one of the pioneering figures of the pop art movement comes with some pretty heavy expectations. The museum will be drawing on its long-held collection of nearly 500 works from Lichtenstein, as well as, one would imagine, numerous borrowed works from collections around the world. TBD 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area partner museums, one prestigious venue and another, will be centering the Floating City through two linked shows: the former museum presents a exploration of the city as a source of high art throughout the centuries, while the other zooms in on what the Impressionist Claude Monet thought of the romantic city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the prospect of depicting Venice – a theme that had captivated the most revered artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually rose to the task, creating some 37 paintings, including 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 debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits over a million feet of footage that was left out of the released movie, crafting an immersive experience that also serves as a love letter to celluloid. Reportedly Iñárritu delved into the vaults to create what he called “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of one of his most beloved films. Perhaps the exhibit will evoke a sense of optimism that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum is dedicating the mixed media sculpture and installation creator a major career survey, starting with her early works and moving all the way up to a new series of pieces fashioned from scrap metal and steel tubing. Inspired by “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove frequently takes her components directly from the urban landscape, creating fascinating and strange sculptures that have been displayed in prestigious venues. Having had major shows in Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, Bove’s three decades of work are ready for a thorough overview. Early Spring to Summer.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Those familiar with a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is in fact one of 20 cut-paper works that he paired with text and bound into a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, Chicago’s Art Institute will display all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing since the museum acquired the works in 1948 – as well as around 50 of Matisse’s other works. The cut paper works represented a late stage flowering for Matisse. March through early Summer.

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 – yet he has seldom been honored with a large-scale exhibition on US soil. A premier East Coast institution seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is well-known for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With loans from all across Europe and more than 200 works total, this promises to be a blockbuster show. 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 film-based work by Taiwanese-American artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in new media art. As with much of her work, Cheang in this piece explores the everyday realities of transgender existence. The installation is designed as a highly interactive experience, with audience members invited to play around with the four moveable screens that show the core footage. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye

A Boston contemporary art center showcases recent creations from this artist, who was compelled to leave her native Uganda when her identity was revealed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for deconstructing unconventional materials to make intricate, queer-themed sculptures. This exhibition showcases recent pieces based on the concept of same-sex marriage. This continues her ongoing project of employing reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture of defiance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Expanding upon the foundational research of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are socialized to inhabit space differently, this exhibition examines how non-verbal communication shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s research spanned art as old as 2000 BC. In this presentation, Wex’s findings are both exhibited and juxtaposed with the work of modern diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

And more …

In February, the Seattle Art Museum showcases the evocative silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is highlighting the work of rising Black artist an innovative creator. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring with a show of his three-dimensional works. In September, the Detroit Institute of Arts presents a selection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architecture paintings. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the colorful work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.