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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 dazzling shows coming up in 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced several years ago during 2023, and currently just a mostly empty page on The Whitney’s online schedule, this expansive survey of one of the central creators of the pop art movement comes with some pretty heavy anticipation. The institution will be drawing on its long-held holdings of nearly 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, in addition to, one would imagine, numerous loans from institutions globally. Dates to be announced 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

San Francisco sister institutions, one prestigious venue along with another, will be centering Venice through two interconnected shows: the former museum will offer a exploration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration 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 depicting Venice – a theme that had captivated the most revered artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually rose to the task, creating approximately 37 canvases, among them the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and 21 March-26 July.

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 over 1m ft of film that was left out of the final cut, crafting an immersive experience that also serves as a homage to celluloid. Accounts suggest the director delved into the vaults to create what he described as “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of one of his most beloved films. Perhaps the installation will instil a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he simultaneously documents. Late Winter through Summer.

Carol Bove

A major New York museum will give the multidisciplinary sculptor artist a major career survey, starting with her early works and moving through to a fresh series of works fashioned from found metal and steel tubing. Drawing from “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove frequently sources her components straight from the urban landscape, creating fascinating and strange sculptures that have appeared in some of the country’s most notable venues. Having had significant exhibitions at Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, Bove’s thirty years of creation are ready for a thorough overview. Early Spring to Summer.

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

Anyone familiar with the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – it’s actually one of 20 cut-paper works that he paired with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, 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 around 50 additional pieces by the artist. The cut paper works 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 is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned masters of the Italian Renaissance – but he has rarely received a major show on US soil. A premier East Coast institution seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring works from throughout Europe and over 200 works total, this is poised as a major event. Late March through June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

A New York queer art museum presents a major, large-scale film-based work by Taiwanese-American artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in digital art. As with most of her work, Cheang here investigates the everyday realities of transgender existence. The installation is designed as a very engaging experience, with visitors invited to play around with the four moveable screens that display the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases 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 recognized for transforming discarded objects to make elaborate, queer-themed sculptures. The show highlights recent pieces based on the concept of queer weddings. It extends her longstanding practice of employing 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 German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are socialized to inhabit space differently, this exhibition investigates how non-verbal communication shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s research spanned art dating back to 2000 BC. Here, Wex’s explorations are displayed and juxtaposed with the work of modern diverse artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

And more …

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative silhouette art of an emerging artist. Starting 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of rising Black artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. In the summer months, an Arkansas museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring with a show of his three-dimensional works. In September, 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.