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From old masters and contemporary icons, modern visionaries and even a major Mexican film-maker, art museums as well as institutions across the US have a series of dazzling exhibitions on the horizon in 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

Announced several years ago during 2023, now merely a mostly empty page at a major museum's online schedule, this expansive survey of one of the central creators of the pop art movement carries some pretty heavy anticipation. The institution plans to utilize its long-held collection of close to 500 works from Lichtenstein, as well as, presumably, dozens loans from institutions globally. Dates to be announced 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

San Francisco partner museums, one prestigious venue and deYoung, will focus on Venice with two linked exhibitions: one location presents a exploration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, while the other will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet thought of the romantic city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the challenge of painting Venice – a subject that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually met the challenge, producing some 37 canvases, among them the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and Spring into Summer.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Marking the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than 1m ft of footage that was left out of the released movie, creating an immersive experience that doubles as a homage to celluloid. Reportedly the director delved into the archives to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the installation will instil a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

Carol Bove

The Guggenheim is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculptor creator a comprehensive retrospective, beginning with her initial pieces and moving through to a new series of pieces fashioned from found metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 60s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently takes her materials straight from the city environment, creating fascinating and strange constructions that have appeared in some of the country’s most notable venues. With major shows in Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, her thirty years of creation are ripe for a thorough overview. Early Spring to Summer.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Anyone familiar with 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 combined with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, Chicago’s Art Institute will display the complete set of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – the first such showing since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus around 50 of Matisse’s other works. The cut paper works represented a prolific final chapter for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

Italian master artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated masters of the Italian Renaissance – but he has seldom received a large-scale exhibition on US soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum aims to rectify that with this landmark show. Raphael is well-known for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With works from throughout Europe and over 200 works in all, this is poised as a major event. Late March through June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

A New York queer art museum will host a significant and immersive film-based work by Taiwanese-American artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in digital art. As with most of her work, Cheang here investigates the everyday realities of trans life. The installation is designed as a highly interactive experience, with visitors invited to play around with the four moveable screens that show the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases recent creations from this artist, who was forced to flee her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for transforming unconventional materials to make elaborate, queer-themed sculptures. This exhibition showcases recent pieces based on the theme of same-sex marriage. It extends her ongoing project of employing found items as a meaningful gesture of defiance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Expanding upon the foundational research of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are conditioned to use physical space differently, this exhibition investigates how body language shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s studies spanned art dating back to 2000 BC. In this presentation, Wex’s explorations are displayed and put into conversation with the work of modern diverse artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

Early in the year, the Seattle Art Museum showcases the haunting silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is highlighting the work of rising Black artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring through a show of his three-dimensional works. Come fall, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a selection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architectural studies. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue displays the colorful work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.