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From Renaissance masters and contemporary icons, modern visionaries and even a renowned Latin American film-maker, art museums and galleries across the US have a series of spectacular exhibitions coming up for 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced several years ago during 2023, now merely a placeholder listing at The Whitney’s online schedule, this major retrospective of a central creators of the Pop Art era comes with some pretty heavy anticipation. The museum will be drawing on its long-held holdings of nearly 500 pieces from Lichtenstein, as well as, one would imagine, numerous borrowed works from institutions around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

San Francisco sister institutions, the Legion of Honor and another, will be centering Venice with two interconnected shows: one location presents a exploration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, and the latter will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. The artist was daunted by the challenge of depicting Venice – a theme that had inspired the most revered artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually rose to the task, producing some 37 canvases, including the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.

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

Celebrating the quarter-century of his groundbreaking first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than 1m ft of film that was left out of the released movie, creating an immersive experience that also serves as a homage to film. Reportedly Iñárritu dug deep into the vaults to create what he called “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of one of his most beloved films. Perhaps the exhibit will evoke some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite the pain he also chronicles. 22 February-26 July.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum will give the multidisciplinary sculptor creator a comprehensive retrospective, beginning with her early works and moving through to a new collection of pieces made from found metal and steel tubing. Drawing from “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove often takes her components straight from the urban landscape, creating intriguing and unusual sculptures that have appeared in prestigious art spots. With major shows in the MoMA and the Palais de Tokyo, her thirty years of creation are ready for a thorough overview. Early Spring to Summer.

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 cut-out *Icarus* – it’s in fact one of 20 cut-paper works that he paired with text and published as a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, Chicago’s Art Institute exhibits all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition after the museum acquired the works in 1948 – plus some 50 additional pieces by the artist. The cut paper works represented a late stage flowering 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 Renaissance Italy – but he has seldom received a large-scale exhibition on US soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is well-known for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With works from throughout Europe and more than 200 works total, this promises to be a major event. Late March through June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

A New York Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art presents a major, large-scale video installation by Taiwanese-American artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. As with much of her work, Cheang here investigates the everyday realities of trans life. Lover Love is designed as a highly interactive experience, with visitors invited to interact with the multiple movable screens that show the central film. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases new work from this artist, who was compelled to leave her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for transforming unconventional materials to make elaborate, queer-themed assemblages. The show showcases recent pieces based on the concept of queer weddings. It extends her longstanding practice of using reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture of defiance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Expanding upon the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are socialized to inhabit space differently, this exhibition examines how non-verbal communication influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s studies included art dating back to 2000 BC. In this presentation, Wex’s findings are both exhibited and juxtaposed with the work of contemporary diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

And more …

Early in the year, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative shadow-based work of an emerging artist. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of up and coming artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring with a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a selection of the artist's architectural studies. And also in September, an Arizona venue exhibits the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.