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From Renaissance masters and pop artists, contemporary greats and even a renowned Latin American director, galleries as well as institutions across the United States are preparing a series of spectacular exhibitions on the horizon for 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed all the way back in 2023, and currently just a mostly empty page at a major museum's online schedule, this major retrospective of one of the pioneering figures of the Pop Art era carries some pretty heavy anticipation. The museum plans to utilize its decades-old collection of close to 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, dozens loans from institutions around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

Bay Area partner museums, one prestigious venue and deYoung, will be centering Venice with two interconnected shows: one location will offer a exploration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, and the latter will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet thought of the romantic city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the prospect of painting Venice – a theme that had captivated the most revered artists for centuries – yet he ultimately rose to the task, creating approximately 37 paintings, among them the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and Spring into Summer.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Marking the quarter-century of his massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than 1m ft of footage that never made it into the released movie, crafting an art installation that also serves as a love letter to celluloid. Accounts suggest the director dug deep into the vaults to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the exhibit will instil a sense of optimism that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he simultaneously documents. Late Winter through Summer.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

The Guggenheim will give the multidisciplinary sculptor creator a comprehensive retrospective, starting with her initial pieces and moving all the way up to a new collection of works made from found metal and steel tubing. Drawing from “the 1960s” and minimalism, Bove often sources her components straight from the city environment, producing intriguing and unusual sculptures that have appeared in some of the country’s most notable art spots. With major shows at the MoMA and a Parisian institution, Bove’s thirty years of creation are ripe for a in-depth overview. Early Spring to Summer.

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

Those who know the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is actually one of 20 cut-paper works that he combined with text and published as a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, Chicago’s Art Institute exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition after the museum obtained the works in 1948 – as well as some 50 of Matisse’s other works. These creations represented a prolific final chapter for Matisse. March through early Summer.

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 American soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum aims to rectify that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is famous for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With works from throughout Europe and more than 200 works total, this is poised as a major event. Late March through June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

NYC’s queer art museum will host 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 investigates the everyday realities of trans life. The installation promises to be a highly interactive piece, with visitors encouraged to play around with the four moveable screens that show the core footage. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

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 unconventional materials to make elaborate, LGBTQ+-themed sculptures. This exhibition highlights recent pieces based on the concept of same-sex marriage. This continues her ongoing project of employing reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture of resistance. 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 studied how genders are conditioned to use physical space differently, this show examines how body language shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s studies included art dating back to 2000 BC. In this presentation, Wex’s explorations are displayed and put into conversation with the work of contemporary diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

And more …

Early in the year, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates the haunting silhouette art 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 revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. In September, a Michigan museum presents a collection of the artist's architectural studies. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue exhibits the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.