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Spanning Renaissance masters to contemporary icons, modern visionaries and even a renowned Latin American film-maker, galleries and institutions across the US are preparing some spectacular shows on the horizon in 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced all the way back in 2023, and currently just a mostly empty page on The Whitney’s online schedule, this expansive survey of one of the pioneering figures of the Pop Art era comes with significant anticipation. The institution plans to utilize its long-held collection of close to 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, as well as, one would imagine, dozens loans from institutions globally. Dates to be announced 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

Bay Area partner museums, the Legion of Honor and another, will be centering the Floating City through two linked exhibitions: the former museum will offer a celebration of the city as an engine of high art for hundreds of years, and the latter will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. The artist was daunted by the challenge of painting Venice – a theme that had captivated the most revered artists for hundreds of years – yet he ultimately rose to the task, producing some 37 canvases, among them the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and Spring into Summer.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Marking the 25th anniversary of his massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits over 1m ft of footage that was left out of the released movie, creating an immersive experience that also serves as a love letter to film. Reportedly Iñárritu delved into the archives to create what he called “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of a cherished films. It's possible the installation will instil some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he also chronicles. 22 February-26 July.

Carol Bove

A major New York museum will give the mixed media sculpture and installation artist a comprehensive retrospective, beginning with her early works and progressing through to a new series of pieces made from found metal and steel tubing. Inspired by “the 60s” and Minimalist art, Bove often takes her components directly from the urban landscape, creating fascinating and strange sculptures that have been displayed in prestigious art spots. Having had major shows in Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, Bove’s thirty years of creation are ready for a thorough survey. Early Spring to Summer.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Anyone familiar with the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is in fact one of 20 cut-paper works that he combined with text and bound into a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, Chicago’s Art Institute will display all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing after the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus some 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations 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 celebrated titans of Renaissance Italy – but he has rarely been honored with a large-scale exhibition on US 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 throughout Europe and more than 200 works in all, this is poised as a major event. 29 March–28 June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

A New York Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art presents a major, large-scale video installation by Taiwanese-American artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in digital art. As with much of her work, Cheang here explores the daily struggles of trans life. The installation is designed as a very engaging piece, with visitors encouraged to play around with the multiple movable screens that show the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

A Boston contemporary art center will feature new work from this artist, who was forced to flee her home country of Uganda when her identity was revealed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for transforming unconventional materials to make intricate, queer-themed assemblages. The show highlights new work based on the theme of queer weddings. It extends her ongoing project of using found items 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 west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how men and women are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this show investigates how body language shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s studies included art dating back to 2000 BC. Here, Wex’s findings are displayed and put into conversation with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

And more …

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative shadow-based work of an emerging artist. Beginning 5 March, an art gallery is highlighting the work of rising Black artist an innovative creator. During the summer, an Arkansas museum reexamines 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a selection of the artist's architectural studies. Simultaneously, the Phoenix Art Museum exhibits the colorful work of artist Kim Chong Hak.