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From Renaissance masters and pop artists, modern visionaries and even a renowned Latin American film-maker, galleries and institutions throughout the US are preparing some spectacular shows coming up in 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed all the way back during 2023, and currently merely a placeholder listing at a major museum's online schedule, this major retrospective of one of the pioneering figures of the Pop Art era comes with some pretty heavy anticipation. The institution will be drawing on its long-held holdings of nearly 500 works by Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, dozens borrowed works from collections around the world. TBD 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

San Francisco partner museums, the Legion of Honor and deYoung, will focus on Venice through two interconnected exhibitions: the former museum presents a exploration of the city as an engine of high art throughout the centuries, and the latter will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the prospect of depicting Venice – a theme that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – yet he ultimately rose to the task, producing approximately 37 canvases, among them 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 quarter-century of his groundbreaking first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than a million feet of film that was left out of the final cut, crafting an art installation that doubles as a love letter to celluloid. Reportedly Iñárritu dug deep into the vaults to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of a cherished films. It's possible the exhibit will instil some of the hope that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculpture and installation creator a comprehensive retrospective, starting with her initial pieces and progressing all the way up to a fresh collection of pieces fashioned from found metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove frequently takes her components directly from the city environment, creating fascinating and strange constructions that have appeared in prestigious venues. Having had major shows at Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, Bove’s three decades of creation are ripe for a in-depth survey. 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 cut-out *Icarus* – it’s in fact one of 20 paper compositions that he combined with text and bound into a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, a Midwestern museum will display the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus some 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations represented a prolific final chapter for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

The great painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned masters of Renaissance Italy – yet he has rarely received a large-scale exhibition on American soil. A premier East Coast institution aims to rectify that with this landmark show. Raphael is well-known for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With loans from all across Europe and more than 200 works in all, this promises to be a major event. Late March through June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

NYC’s queer art museum will host a significant and immersive video installation by Taiwanese-American artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. In keeping with most of her work, Cheang in this piece explores the daily struggles of trans life. The installation promises to be a very engaging experience, with visitors encouraged to interact with the four moveable screens that show the central film. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

A Boston contemporary art center showcases new work from this artist, who was compelled to leave her home country of Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for deconstructing discarded objects to make elaborate, queer-themed sculptures. The show showcases new work based on the theme of queer weddings. It extends her ongoing project of using reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture of resistance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Building on the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how men and women are socialized to use physical space differently, this exhibition investigates how non-verbal communication influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s research spanned art as old as ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s findings are displayed and put into conversation with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative shadow-based work of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is featuring the work of rising Black artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, an Arkansas museum reexamines 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring through a show of his three-dimensional works. Come fall, a Michigan museum will show a selection of the artist's architectural studies. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue displays the colorful work of artist Kim Chong Hak.