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Spanning old masters and pop artists, modern visionaries and even a renowned Latin American film-maker, galleries and galleries across the United States are preparing a series of dazzling exhibitions on the horizon for 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed all the way back during 2023, now just a mostly empty page on a major museum's website, this major retrospective of a central creators of the Pop Art era carries some pretty heavy expectations. The museum will be drawing on its decades-old holdings of close to 500 works by Lichtenstein, in addition to, one would imagine, dozens loans from collections globally. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

San Francisco partner museums, one prestigious venue along with another, will focus on Venice through two linked shows: the former museum presents a exploration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, while the other zooms in on what the Impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the challenge of painting Venice – a subject that had captivated the most revered artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually met the challenge, creating some 37 paintings, including the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and 21 March-26 July.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Marking the quarter-century of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits over 1m ft of film that was left out of the released movie, crafting an immersive experience that doubles as a love letter to celluloid. Accounts suggest Iñárritu delved into the archives to create what he described as “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the installation will instil a sense of optimism that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he also chronicles. 22 February-26 July.

Carol Bove

The Guggenheim will give the multidisciplinary sculpture and installation artist a comprehensive retrospective, beginning with her early works and moving through to a fresh collection of works made from found metal and steel tubing. Drawing from “the 1960s” and minimalism, Bove often takes her components straight from the urban landscape, creating intriguing and unusual constructions that have appeared in prestigious venues. With major shows in Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, her three decades of creation are ready for a in-depth overview. Early Spring to Summer.

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

Anyone familiar with the book *The Body Keeps the Score* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is in fact one of 20 paper compositions that he combined with text and bound into a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, Chicago’s Art Institute will display all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus some 50 additional pieces by the artist. The cut paper works were part of a late stage flowering for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

The great painter and architect 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. 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*. Featuring works from throughout Europe and over 200 works in all, this promises to be a major event. Late March through June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

A New York queer art museum presents a significant and immersive video installation by transmedia artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in digital art. As with much of her work, Cheang in this piece investigates the daily struggles of trans life. The installation is designed as a highly interactive experience, with visitors invited to play around with the multiple movable screens that show the core footage. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases new work from this artist, who was compelled to leave her home country of Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for deconstructing discarded objects to make elaborate, queer-themed assemblages. The show showcases recent pieces based on the concept of same-sex marriage. This continues her ongoing project of employing found items as a meaningful gesture of defiance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Building on the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this show investigates how non-verbal communication shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s research spanned art dating back to 2000 BC. Here, Wex’s findings are displayed and juxtaposed with the work of contemporary diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative silhouette art of an emerging artist. Beginning 5 March, an art gallery is featuring the work of rising artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. In the summer months, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his three-dimensional works. In September, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a selection of the artist's architectural studies. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue displays the colorful work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.