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From old masters and pop artists, modern visionaries and even a renowned Latin American director, art museums as well as institutions throughout the United States have some dazzling shows on the horizon in 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed several years ago in 2023, and currently merely a mostly empty page at The Whitney’s website, this expansive survey of a central creators of the Pop Art era carries some pretty heavy anticipation. The museum will be drawing on its decades-old collection of close to 500 works by Lichtenstein, in addition to, one would imagine, numerous loans from collections around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

Bay Area sister institutions, one prestigious venue and another, will focus on the Floating City with two linked exhibitions: the former museum presents a celebration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, and the latter will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. The artist felt intimidated by the prospect of depicting Venice – a subject that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually met the challenge, producing some 37 paintings, including the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than 1m ft of footage that never made it of the final cut, crafting an immersive experience that also serves as a love letter to celluloid. Accounts suggest the director dug deep into the archives to create what he described as “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the installation will evoke some of the hope that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he also chronicles. Late Winter through Summer.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum will give the mixed media sculpture and installation creator a comprehensive retrospective, starting with her initial pieces and progressing through to a fresh series of works made from found metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 1960s” and minimalism, Bove frequently sources her materials straight from the city environment, creating intriguing and unusual sculptures that have appeared in prestigious art spots. Having had major shows at the MoMA and the Palais de Tokyo, Bove’s three decades of work are ripe for a thorough survey. Early Spring to Summer.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Anyone who know a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – it’s in fact one of 20 paper compositions that he paired with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, Chicago’s Art Institute exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing since the museum acquired the works in 1948 – plus around 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations were part of a prolific final chapter for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

The great artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated titans of the Italian Renaissance – but he has seldom received a major show on American soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum seeks to change that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is well-known for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring loans from throughout Europe and over 200 works in all, this promises to be a major event. 29 March–28 June.

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

NYC’s queer art museum presents a major, large-scale video installation by transmedia artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in digital art. As with much of her work, Cheang here investigates the everyday realities of transgender existence. Lover Love is designed as a very engaging experience, with audience members invited to interact with the four moveable screens that show the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston will feature 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 transforming unconventional materials to make intricate, LGBTQ+-themed sculptures. The show highlights new work based on the concept of queer weddings. This continues her longstanding practice of employing reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture of defiance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Expanding upon the foundational research of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how men and women are conditioned to use physical space differently, this exhibition investigates how non-verbal communication shapes unspoken interaction. Wex’s research included art dating back to ancient sculptures. In this presentation, Wex’s findings are displayed and juxtaposed with the work of modern diverse artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative shadow-based work of an emerging artist. Starting 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of rising Black artist an innovative creator. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. In September, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a collection of the artist's architecture paintings. Simultaneously, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the colorful work of artist Kim Chong Hak.