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Spanning Renaissance masters to contemporary icons, contemporary greats and even a major Mexican film-maker, art museums as well as institutions throughout the United States are preparing some spectacular shows on the horizon for 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed several years ago in 2023, now just a mostly empty page on The Whitney’s website, this expansive survey of one of the central creators of the Pop Art era comes with some pretty heavy expectations. The institution will be drawing on its decades-old collection of nearly 500 works by Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, dozens borrowed works from institutions around the world. TBD 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area sister institutions, one prestigious venue and deYoung, will focus on Venice through two interconnected shows: the former museum presents a exploration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, and the latter will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet thought of the romantic city of canals. The artist was daunted by the challenge of depicting Venice – a subject that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – yet he ultimately met the challenge, producing approximately 37 paintings, including 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 debut film, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to over a million feet of footage that was left out of the released movie, creating an immersive experience that doubles as a love letter to film. Accounts suggest Iñárritu 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 installation will evoke some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite the hardship he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

The Guggenheim is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculptor artist a comprehensive retrospective, starting with her early works and progressing all the way up to a fresh series of works made from scrap metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 60s” and Minimalist art, Bove often sources her materials directly from the city environment, producing intriguing and unusual sculptures that have been displayed in some of the country’s most notable venues. With major shows at Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, Bove’s thirty years of work are ripe for a in-depth overview. 5 March–2 August.

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

Anyone familiar with the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – it’s in fact one of 20 paper compositions that he combined with text and published as a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, a Midwestern museum exhibits all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition since the museum acquired the works in 1948 – as well as around 50 of Matisse’s other works. 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 is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned masters of Renaissance Italy – but he has seldom received a large-scale exhibition on US soil. A premier East Coast institution seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for iconic works 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 blockbuster show. Late March through June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

A New York queer art museum will host a major, large-scale film-based work by transmedia artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in digital art. As with much of her work, Cheang here investigates the daily struggles of transgender existence. The installation promises to be a very engaging piece, with audience members invited to play around with the multiple movable screens that show the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye

A Boston contemporary art center will feature new work from this artist, who was compelled to leave her native Uganda when her identity was revealed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for transforming discarded objects to make intricate, queer-themed assemblages. This exhibition highlights recent pieces based on the concept of same-sex marriage. It extends her ongoing project of using reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture of defiance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Expanding upon the foundational research of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are conditioned to use physical space differently, this show examines how non-verbal communication influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s research included art as old as 2000 BC. In this presentation, Wex’s findings are both exhibited and juxtaposed with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates the evocative shadow-based work of Samantha Yun Wall. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of rising artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring with a show of his sculptural works. In September, a Michigan museum presents a collection of the artist's architecture paintings. Simultaneously, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.