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Spanning old masters to contemporary icons, modern visionaries and even a renowned Mexican director, art museums as well as galleries throughout the US are preparing some spectacular shows coming up for 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

Announced several years ago during 2023, now just a mostly empty page on The Whitney’s website, 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 holdings of close to 500 works by Lichtenstein, in addition to, one would imagine, dozens loans from institutions around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

San Francisco sister institutions, one prestigious venue and deYoung, will focus on Venice with two linked exhibitions: one location presents a celebration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, and the latter will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet thought of the romantic city of canals. The artist felt intimidated by the challenge of painting Venice – a theme that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – yet he ultimately met the challenge, creating approximately 37 canvases, among them the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.

Alejandro G Iñárritu's *Sueño Perro*: A Cinematic Resurrection

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than 1m ft of footage that never made it into the released movie, crafting an art installation that also serves as a homage to film. Accounts suggest the director delved into the archives to create what he called “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of a cherished films. Perhaps the exhibit will evoke a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he also chronicles. 22 February-26 July.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

The Guggenheim is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculpture and installation creator a major career survey, starting with her initial pieces and moving through to a new collection of works made from found metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove frequently sources her materials straight from the city environment, creating intriguing and unusual sculptures that have been displayed in prestigious art spots. With major shows in the MoMA and a Parisian institution, her thirty years of creation are ready for a in-depth overview. 5 March–2 August.

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

Those familiar with a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – it’s in fact one of 20 paper compositions that he combined with text and published as a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, Chicago’s Art Institute will display all 20 of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – an unprecedented exhibition since the museum obtained 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 artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated masters of Renaissance Italy – yet he has seldom been honored with a major show on American soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring loans from throughout Europe and over 200 works in all, this is poised as a blockbuster show. 29 March–28 June.

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

NYC’s Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art will host a major, large-scale film-based work by transmedia artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in digital art. In keeping with most of her work, Cheang in this piece investigates the daily struggles of transgender existence. The installation promises to be a very engaging piece, with visitors invited to interact with the four moveable screens that display the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

A Boston contemporary art center showcases new work from this artist, who was forced to flee her home country of Uganda when her identity was revealed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for deconstructing discarded objects to make intricate, LGBTQ+-themed assemblages. The show highlights new work based on the concept of queer weddings. This continues her longstanding practice of employing found items as a symbolic act of defiance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Expanding upon the pioneering work of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this exhibition examines how body language shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s research included art dating back to 2000 BC. In this presentation, Wex’s explorations are both exhibited and juxtaposed with the work of modern Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

And more …

In February, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates the haunting shadow-based work of Samantha Yun Wall. Beginning 5 March, an art gallery is highlighting the work of up and coming Black artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. During the summer, an Arkansas museum revisits 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, the Detroit Institute of Arts presents a selection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architectural studies. Simultaneously, the Phoenix Art Museum exhibits the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.