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From Renaissance masters to pop artists, modern visionaries and even a renowned Mexican director, galleries as well as galleries across the United States are preparing a series of spectacular exhibitions coming up for 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced several years ago during 2023, and currently merely a placeholder listing on The Whitney’s online schedule, this expansive survey of one of the central creators of the pop art movement carries some pretty heavy anticipation. The museum plans to utilize its long-held collection of close to 500 works by Lichtenstein, as well as, presumably, dozens borrowed works from institutions around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

San Francisco sister institutions, one prestigious venue along with deYoung, will be centering the Floating City through two interconnected exhibitions: one location presents a celebration of the city as an engine of high art throughout the centuries, and the latter will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the prospect of painting Venice – a subject that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually met the challenge, creating approximately 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

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his massive debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than a million feet of footage that was left out of the final cut, creating an art installation that doubles as a love letter to film. Accounts suggest the director delved into the archives to create what he described as “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of one of his most beloved films. Perhaps the installation will instil some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he also chronicles. Late Winter through Summer.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

The Guggenheim will give the mixed media sculpture and installation artist a major career survey, beginning with her initial pieces and moving all the way up to a new series of pieces fashioned from found metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove often sources her materials directly from the urban landscape, producing fascinating and strange constructions that have been displayed in prestigious venues. Having had significant exhibitions in the MoMA and the Palais de Tokyo, her three decades of work are ready for a thorough survey. Early Spring to Summer.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Anyone familiar with the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – it’s in fact one of 20 cut-paper works that he combined with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, Chicago’s Art Institute exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition since the museum acquired the works in 1948 – as well as some 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations were part of a late stage flowering for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

The great painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated masters of the Italian Renaissance – but he has rarely been honored with a large-scale exhibition 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 loans from throughout Europe and over 200 works in all, this is poised as a major event. 29 March–28 June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

NYC’s queer art museum presents a significant and immersive film-based work by transmedia artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. As with much of her work, Cheang in this piece investigates the daily struggles of transgender existence. The installation promises to be a very engaging experience, with audience members encouraged to interact with the four moveable screens that display 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 when her identity was revealed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for deconstructing unconventional materials to make elaborate, queer-themed sculptures. This exhibition highlights new work based on the theme of queer weddings. It extends her longstanding practice of employing reclaimed materials as a symbolic act of defiance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Expanding upon the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how genders are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this show examines how non-verbal communication influences unconscious interaction. Wex’s research included art dating back to 2000 BC. In this presentation, Wex’s explorations are displayed and put into conversation with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution celebrates the evocative silhouette art of an emerging artist. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is highlighting the work of rising Black artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring with 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 exhibits the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.