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From old masters and contemporary icons, contemporary greats and even a renowned Mexican film-maker, galleries as well as galleries throughout the United States have a series of spectacular exhibitions on the horizon for 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

Announced all the way back during 2023, and currently merely a mostly empty page on a major museum's website, this expansive survey of a pioneering figures of the Pop Art era comes with some pretty heavy expectations. The institution will be drawing on its long-held holdings of close to 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, as well as, presumably, dozens borrowed works from collections globally. Dates to be announced 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

San Francisco partner museums, the Legion of Honor along with deYoung, will focus on Venice with two linked shows: one location presents a exploration of the city as a source of high art for hundreds of years, and the latter will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet made of the romantic city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the challenge of depicting Venice – a subject that had inspired the most revered artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually rose to the task, creating approximately 37 paintings, among them the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.

Alejandro G Iñárritu's *Sueño Perro*: A Cinematic Resurrection

Marking the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to over 1m ft of footage that was left out of the final cut, creating an immersive experience that also serves as a homage to film. Reportedly Iñárritu dug deep into the vaults to create what he described as “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of a cherished films. Perhaps the installation will evoke a sense of optimism that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he also chronicles. Late Winter through Summer.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

The Guggenheim is dedicating the mixed media sculptor creator a major career survey, beginning with her initial pieces and moving through to a fresh collection of works made from found metal and steel tubing. Drawing from “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove often sources her components straight from the urban landscape, producing intriguing and unusual constructions that have appeared in prestigious art spots. With major shows in Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, her thirty years of creation are ready for a thorough survey. 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 papercut *Icarus* – it’s actually one of 20 paper compositions that he paired with text and bound into a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, a Midwestern museum exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – an unprecedented exhibition since the museum acquired the works in 1948 – as well as around 50 of Matisse’s other works. These creations represented a late stage flowering for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

Italian master artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated masters of Renaissance Italy – yet he has seldom been honored with a major show on American soil. A premier East Coast institution seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With loans from throughout Europe and over 200 works in all, this is poised as a major event. 29 March–28 June.

Shu Lea Cheang's *Lover Love*: An Interactive Vision

NYC’s queer art museum presents a major, large-scale film-based work by transmedia artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in new media art. As with much of her work, Cheang in this piece explores the daily struggles of trans life. Lover Love promises to be a highly interactive piece, with visitors invited to play around with the multiple movable screens that display the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases new work from this artist, who was forced to flee her home country of Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for deconstructing discarded objects to make elaborate, queer-themed sculptures. This exhibition highlights new work based on the theme of same-sex marriage. It extends her longstanding practice of using found items as a meaningful gesture of defiance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Expanding upon the foundational research of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how men and women are socialized to inhabit space differently, this show investigates how non-verbal communication influences unconscious interaction. Wex’s research included art dating back to ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s explorations are displayed and put into conversation with the work of modern Black, queer, and feminist artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the haunting shadow-based work of an emerging artist. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is highlighting the work of up and coming artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. During the summer, an Arkansas museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. In September, a Michigan museum will show a selection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architectural studies. Simultaneously, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the colorful work of artist Kim Chong Hak.