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Spanning old masters to pop artists, contemporary greats and even a major Latin American director, art museums and institutions across the US are preparing a series of spectacular shows coming up for 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced all the way back during 2023, now just a mostly empty page on a major museum's online schedule, this expansive survey of one of the central creators of the Pop Art era carries some pretty heavy expectations. The institution plans to utilize its long-held collection of nearly 500 pieces from Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, dozens loans from collections globally. TBD 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area partner museums, one prestigious venue along with another, will be centering the Floating City with two interconnected exhibitions: the former museum presents a celebration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, while the other will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. The artist felt intimidated by the prospect of depicting Venice – a subject that had captivated the most revered artists for centuries – yet he ultimately met the challenge, creating approximately 37 paintings, including the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and Spring into Summer.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Marking the 25th anniversary of his massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than a million feet of footage that was left out into the released movie, crafting an art installation that also serves as a homage to celluloid. Accounts suggest the director dug deep into the archives to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of one of his most beloved films. Perhaps the exhibit will instil a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he also chronicles. Late Winter through Summer.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum is dedicating the mixed media sculptor creator a major career survey, beginning with her initial pieces and moving through to a fresh series of works made from scrap metal and steel tubing. Inspired by “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently sources her materials directly from the urban landscape, creating fascinating and strange constructions that have appeared in some of the country’s most notable venues. Having had major shows in the MoMA and the Palais de Tokyo, Bove’s three decades of creation are ready for a in-depth survey. 5 March–2 August.

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

Those familiar with 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 combined with text and bound into a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, a Midwestern museum will display all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing after the museum acquired the works in 1948 – as well as around 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations were part of a late stage flowering for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

The great painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned titans of the Italian Renaissance – but he has rarely received 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 throughout Europe and over 200 works total, this promises to be a blockbuster show. Late March through June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

NYC’s Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art presents a major, large-scale film-based work by Taiwanese-American artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in digital art. As with much of her work, Cheang in this piece explores the everyday realities of transgender existence. Lover Love promises to be a highly interactive experience, with audience members invited to play around with the multiple movable screens that display the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases new work from this artist, who was compelled to leave her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for transforming unconventional materials to make elaborate, LGBTQ+-themed assemblages. The show showcases new work based on the theme of queer weddings. This continues her longstanding practice of using reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture of resistance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Building on the pioneering work of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this show examines how non-verbal communication influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s studies spanned art as old as ancient sculptures. In this presentation, Wex’s explorations are displayed and juxtaposed with the work of modern Black, queer, and feminist artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Beginning 5 March, an art gallery is featuring the work of rising Black artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, an Arkansas museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. In September, the Detroit Institute of Arts presents a collection of the artist's architectural studies. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue exhibits the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.