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Spanning old masters to contemporary icons, contemporary greats alongside a major Latin American film-maker, galleries and galleries throughout the United States are preparing some spectacular exhibitions coming up in 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced several years ago in 2023, now just a placeholder listing at a major museum's website, this expansive survey of one of the pioneering figures of the Pop Art era comes with some pretty heavy anticipation. The institution plans to utilize its long-held holdings of close to 500 pieces from 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

Bay Area sister institutions, one prestigious venue and another, will be centering the Floating City with two interconnected exhibitions: one location presents a exploration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, and the latter zooms in on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the challenge of painting Venice – a subject that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for centuries – yet he ultimately rose to the task, producing some 37 canvases, including 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 groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than 1m ft of film that never made it of the released movie, creating an art installation that doubles as a love letter to celluloid. Reportedly Iñárritu delved into the archives to create what he called “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the installation will evoke a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite the pain he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

Carol Bove

The Guggenheim is dedicating the mixed media sculptor creator a major career survey, starting with her early works and moving all the way up to a fresh series of pieces made from found metal and steel tubing. Inspired by “the 1960s” and minimalism, Bove often sources her components directly from the urban landscape, creating intriguing and unusual sculptures that have appeared in prestigious venues. Having had significant exhibitions in Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, her three decades of work are ready for a thorough survey. 5 March–2 August.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Anyone familiar with the book *The Body Keeps the Score* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – it’s in fact one of 20 paper compositions that he paired with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, Chicago’s Art Institute exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – the first such showing after the museum acquired the works in 1948 – as well as around 50 of Matisse’s other works. The cut paper works represented a prolific final chapter for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

The great painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned masters of the Italian Renaissance – yet he has seldom been honored with a large-scale exhibition on American soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum aims to rectify that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is well-known for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring loans from throughout Europe and more than 200 works total, this promises to be a blockbuster show. 29 March–28 June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

NYC’s Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art will host a significant and immersive video installation by Taiwanese-American artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in new media art. As with much of her work, Cheang here investigates the everyday realities of trans life. The installation is designed as a highly interactive experience, with audience members encouraged to interact with the multiple movable screens that show the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston will feature recent creations from this artist, who was forced to flee her home country of Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for deconstructing discarded objects to make elaborate, queer-themed assemblages. The show highlights recent pieces based on the concept of same-sex marriage. It extends her longstanding practice of employing found items as a meaningful gesture 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 genders are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this exhibition examines how body language shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s studies included art dating back to 2000 BC. Here, Wex’s explorations are both exhibited and put into conversation with the work of modern Black, queer, and feminist artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

And more …

Early in the year, the Seattle Art Museum showcases the evocative shadow-based work of an emerging artist. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of up and coming artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring with a show of his three-dimensional works. Come fall, the Detroit Institute of Arts presents a selection of the artist's architectural studies. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the colorful work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.