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Spanning Renaissance masters to pop artists, modern visionaries and even a renowned Mexican film-maker, art museums and institutions throughout the United States have a series of spectacular shows coming up for 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed all the way back during 2023, now merely a placeholder listing at The Whitney’s website, this major retrospective of a pioneering figures of the pop art movement carries significant anticipation. The institution plans to utilize its long-held collection of close to 500 works from Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, dozens loans from collections around the world. TBD 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

Bay Area sister institutions, one prestigious venue along with deYoung, will focus on the Floating City through two linked shows: one location will offer a celebration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, and the latter will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. The artist was daunted by the prospect of painting Venice – a subject that had captivated the most revered artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually rose to the task, creating some 37 paintings, including the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and Spring into Summer.

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

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his massive debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than a million feet of footage that never made it of the released movie, crafting an art installation that doubles as a love letter to celluloid. Reportedly Iñárritu dug deep into the vaults to create what he called “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of a cherished films. It's possible the exhibit will instil some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite the pain he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

Carol Bove

The Guggenheim is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculptor creator a major career survey, beginning with her initial pieces and progressing through to a fresh collection of works made from scrap metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently takes her materials directly from the city environment, creating fascinating and strange sculptures that have been displayed in prestigious art spots. With major shows in the MoMA and a Parisian institution, Bove’s three decades of work are ready for a in-depth overview. 5 March–2 August.

Henri Matisse's *Jazz*: A Symphony of Cut Paper

Anyone who know a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is in fact one of 20 cut-paper works that he paired with text and published as a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, a Midwestern museum exhibits all 20 of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – the first such showing since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – as well as some 50 of Matisse’s other works. The cut paper works represented a late stage flowering for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

Italian master artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated masters of the Italian Renaissance – yet he has seldom been honored with a major show on US soil. A premier East Coast institution seeks to change that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is famous for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With loans from throughout Europe and over 200 works in all, this is poised as a blockbuster show. Late March through June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

NYC’s queer art museum presents a significant and immersive video installation by transmedia artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in digital art. As with much of her work, Cheang here investigates the everyday realities of transgender existence. Lover Love promises to be a very engaging experience, with visitors invited to interact with the four moveable screens that display the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases recent creations from this artist, who was compelled to leave her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for transforming discarded objects to make elaborate, LGBTQ+-themed assemblages. This exhibition highlights new work based on the theme of queer weddings. It extends her ongoing project of employing reclaimed materials as a symbolic act of defiance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Expanding upon the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this exhibition investigates how non-verbal communication shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s studies spanned art dating back to ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s explorations are both exhibited and put into conversation with the work of contemporary diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

And more …

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution celebrates the haunting silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is featuring the work of rising artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, an Arkansas museum reexamines 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring with a show of his three-dimensional works. Come fall, a Michigan museum presents a selection of the artist's architectural studies. Simultaneously, the Phoenix Art Museum exhibits the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.