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Spanning old masters to pop artists, modern visionaries and even a major Latin American director, galleries and galleries across the United States have a series of spectacular shows coming up for 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced several years ago in 2023, and currently just a mostly empty page on a major museum's online schedule, this expansive survey of a central creators of the pop art movement carries some pretty heavy expectations. The museum will be drawing on its long-held collection of close to 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, as well as, one would imagine, dozens borrowed works from collections globally. Dates to be announced 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

San Francisco partner museums, the Legion of Honor along with another, will be centering the Floating City with two interconnected exhibitions: one location will offer a exploration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, and the latter will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the prospect of painting Venice – a subject that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually met the challenge, producing approximately 37 canvases, including the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and Spring into Summer.

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

Marking the 25th anniversary of his massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to over a million feet of footage that never made it of the released movie, crafting an immersive experience that also serves as a homage to film. Accounts suggest the director delved into the vaults to create what he called “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the installation will evoke a sense of optimism that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he also chronicles. 22 February-26 July.

Carol Bove

The Guggenheim will give the mixed media sculptor artist a comprehensive retrospective, beginning with her initial pieces and moving through to a new collection of works made from scrap metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove frequently takes her materials directly from the urban landscape, producing intriguing and unusual sculptures that have been displayed in some of the country’s most notable venues. Having had major shows at Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, her three decades of work are ready for a thorough overview. 5 March–2 August.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Those familiar with a certain publication *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 volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, a Midwestern museum exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing since the museum acquired the works in 1948 – as well as around 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations represented a late stage flowering 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 Renaissance Italy – yet he has rarely received a major show on US soil. A premier East Coast institution aims to rectify that with this landmark show. 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 total, this promises to be a major event. Late March through June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

NYC’s Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art will host a major, large-scale film-based work by Taiwanese-American artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in new media art. As with most of her work, Cheang here explores the daily struggles of transgender existence. Lover Love promises to be a highly interactive experience, with audience members encouraged to play around with the multiple movable screens that show the core footage. 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 known for deconstructing unconventional materials to make intricate, queer-themed sculptures. The show highlights new work based on the theme of queer weddings. It extends her longstanding practice of employing found items as a symbolic act of defiance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Building on the foundational research of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how genders are socialized to use physical space differently, this show examines how body language influences unconscious interaction. Wex’s studies included art as old as ancient sculptures. In this presentation, Wex’s findings are displayed and juxtaposed with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates 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 three-dimensional works. Come fall, a Michigan museum will show a selection of the artist's architectural studies. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum exhibits the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.