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From old masters and contemporary icons, modern visionaries alongside a major Latin American film-maker, galleries and institutions across the US are preparing some dazzling exhibitions on the horizon in 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced several years ago during 2023, now just a placeholder listing on The Whitney’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 holdings of nearly 500 pieces from Lichtenstein, as well as, one would imagine, numerous borrowed works from collections globally. TBD 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

San Francisco partner museums, one prestigious venue and another, will focus on Venice through two interconnected shows: one location 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 made of the romantic city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the challenge of depicting Venice – a theme that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually rose to the task, creating approximately 37 canvases, among them 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 massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to over 1m ft of film that was left out of the released movie, creating an art installation that also serves as a love letter to celluloid. Reportedly 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 evoke some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

Carol Bove

The Guggenheim will give the multidisciplinary sculptor creator a comprehensive retrospective, starting with her early works and progressing through to a new collection of works made from found metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove often sources her materials straight 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 the MoMA and the Palais de Tokyo, her thirty years of creation are ready for a in-depth survey. Early Spring to Summer.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Those familiar with a certain publication *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 bound into a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, Chicago’s Art Institute exhibits all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition after the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus some 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations represented a late stage flowering for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

Italian master painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned masters of the Italian Renaissance – yet he has rarely been honored with a major show on US soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum seeks to change that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is famous for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring works from throughout Europe and more than 200 works in all, this promises to be a major event. Late March through June.

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

A New York queer art museum presents a significant and immersive video installation by Taiwanese-American artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in digital art. As with much of her work, Cheang here explores the daily struggles of transgender existence. Lover Love promises to be a very engaging experience, with audience members encouraged to interact with the multiple movable screens that display the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye

A Boston contemporary art center showcases recent creations from this artist, who was compelled to leave her home country of Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for deconstructing discarded objects to make intricate, queer-themed assemblages. This exhibition highlights new work based on the theme of same-sex marriage. It extends her ongoing project of employing reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture of resistance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Building on the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how genders are socialized to use physical space differently, this show examines how non-verbal communication shapes unspoken interaction. Wex’s studies included art as old as 2000 BC. Here, Wex’s findings are displayed and juxtaposed with the work of modern diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

And more …

Early in the year, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates the evocative shadow-based work of an emerging artist. Beginning 5 March, an art gallery is highlighting the work of rising artist an innovative creator. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring with a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a selection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architectural studies. Simultaneously, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.