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Spanning old masters and contemporary icons, contemporary greats and even a renowned Latin American director, art museums and institutions throughout the US are preparing a series of spectacular exhibitions coming up in 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced several years ago in 2023, and currently just a mostly empty page at a major museum's online schedule, this major retrospective of one of the central creators of the Pop Art era carries some pretty heavy anticipation. The museum will be drawing on its decades-old holdings of close to 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, as well as, presumably, dozens loans from institutions around the world. TBD 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area partner museums, one prestigious venue and deYoung, will focus on Venice with two linked exhibitions: the former museum presents a celebration of the city as an engine of high art for hundreds of years, and the latter zooms in on what impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. The artist was daunted by the challenge of painting Venice – a theme that had captivated the most revered artists for centuries – yet he ultimately rose to the task, producing approximately 37 canvases, among them the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and Spring into Summer.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Marking the 25th anniversary of his massive debut film, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits over 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 Iñárritu dug deep into the archives to create what he called “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of one of his most beloved films. Perhaps the exhibit will instil a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite 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 comprehensive retrospective, starting with her initial pieces and moving all the way up to a fresh collection of works made from found metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 1960s” and minimalism, Bove frequently takes her materials directly from the urban landscape, creating fascinating and strange sculptures that have appeared in prestigious art spots. With major shows at the MoMA and a Parisian institution, Bove’s three decades of work are ready for a in-depth survey. Early Spring to Summer.

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

Those familiar with the book *The Body Keeps the Score* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is actually one of 20 cut-paper works 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 – an unprecedented exhibition since the museum acquired the works in 1948 – as well as around 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations represented a prolific final chapter for Matisse. March through early Summer.

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 titans of the Italian Renaissance – yet he has rarely been honored with a large-scale exhibition on US soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With works from all across Europe and over 200 works total, this is poised as a major event. 29 March–28 June.

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

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 most of her work, Cheang in this piece explores the everyday realities of trans life. Lover Love promises to be a very engaging piece, with visitors encouraged to interact with the multiple movable screens that display the central film. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases new work from this artist, who was forced to flee her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for deconstructing 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 employing found items as a symbolic act of resistance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Building on the foundational research of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how men and women are socialized to use physical space differently, this exhibition investigates how body language influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s studies spanned art as old as ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s explorations are both exhibited and put into conversation with the work of contemporary diverse artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

Early in the year, the Seattle Art Museum showcases the haunting shadow-based work of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is highlighting the work of up and coming Black artist an innovative creator. During the summer, an Arkansas museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring with a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a collection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architecture paintings. And also in September, an Arizona venue displays the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.