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Spanning Renaissance masters to contemporary icons, modern visionaries and even a major Latin American director, galleries and institutions across the US are preparing a series of dazzling exhibitions on the horizon for 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed all the way back in 2023, now just a placeholder listing at The Whitney’s online schedule, this expansive survey of one of the central creators of the Pop Art era carries some pretty heavy anticipation. The museum plans to utilize its long-held collection of close to 500 pieces from Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, dozens borrowed works from collections around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

Bay Area partner museums, one prestigious venue along with another, will be centering Venice through two linked shows: one location will offer a celebration of the city as an engine of high art for hundreds of years, and the latter zooms in on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the romantic city of canals. The artist was daunted by the challenge of painting Venice – a subject that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually met the challenge, producing approximately 37 canvases, including the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and Spring into Summer.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits over a million feet of film that never made it into the final cut, creating an immersive experience that doubles as a homage to film. Reportedly Iñárritu delved into the archives to create what he described as “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of one of his most beloved films. Perhaps the exhibit will instil a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he also chronicles. 22 February-26 July.

Carol Bove

A major New York museum is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculptor creator a comprehensive retrospective, beginning with her early works and progressing all the way up to a new series of works made from scrap metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove often takes her materials straight from the urban landscape, creating intriguing and unusual sculptures that have been displayed in some of the country’s most notable venues. Having had major shows at Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, her three decades of work are ready for a in-depth survey. 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* – it’s actually one of 20 cut-paper works that he combined with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, a Midwestern museum exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – the first such showing since the museum acquired the works in 1948 – as well as around 50 of Matisse’s other works. The cut paper works represented a late stage flowering for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

Italian master artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned titans of Renaissance Italy – yet 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 famous for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring 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

NYC’s queer art museum presents a major, large-scale video installation by transmedia artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in digital art. In keeping with most of her work, Cheang here explores the everyday realities of trans life. Lover Love promises to be a highly interactive experience, with visitors encouraged to interact with the multiple movable screens that show the central film. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

A Boston contemporary art center showcases recent creations 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 recognized for deconstructing discarded objects to make elaborate, queer-themed assemblages. This exhibition showcases new work based on the theme of same-sex marriage. It extends her longstanding practice of employing reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture of resistance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Building on the foundational research of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how men and women are socialized to use physical space differently, this exhibition investigates how non-verbal communication influences unconscious interaction. Wex’s research spanned art dating back to ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s findings are both exhibited and put into conversation with the work of modern diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

And more …

Early in the year, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, a prominent gallery is highlighting the work of rising artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. In the summer months, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring with a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, a Michigan museum presents a selection of the artist's architectural studies. And also in September, an Arizona venue exhibits the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.