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From Renaissance masters and contemporary icons, modern visionaries alongside a renowned Latin American director, art museums as well as institutions across the United States have some spectacular shows coming up for 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced all the way back during 2023, and currently merely a placeholder listing on The Whitney’s website, this expansive survey of one of the pioneering figures of the Pop Art era comes with some pretty heavy expectations. The institution will be drawing on its decades-old holdings of nearly 500 works by Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, numerous borrowed works from institutions globally. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area sister institutions, one prestigious venue along with deYoung, will be centering the Floating City with two linked shows: the former museum presents a exploration of the city as an engine of high art for hundreds of years, and the latter will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet thought of the romantic city of canals. The artist was daunted by the prospect of painting Venice – a theme that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for centuries – but he eventually met the challenge, creating some 37 canvases, including the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and 21 March-26 July.

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

Marking the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to over 1m ft of film that was left out into the final cut, creating an immersive experience that also serves as a homage to celluloid. Reportedly Iñárritu delved into the vaults to create what he described as “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of a cherished films. Perhaps 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 sculpture and installation artist a comprehensive retrospective, beginning with her early works and progressing through to a fresh collection of pieces fashioned from found metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 1960s” and minimalism, Bove frequently sources her components directly from the urban landscape, producing fascinating and strange constructions that have appeared in some of the country’s most notable art spots. With major shows in Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, her three decades of work are ripe for a in-depth survey. Early Spring to Summer.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Anyone who know the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – this is in fact one of 20 cut-paper works that he paired with text and bound into a book 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 obtained the works in 1948 – plus around 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations were part of a late stage flowering for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

The great artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated masters of the Italian Renaissance – yet he has rarely received a major show on US soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum aims to rectify that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With loans from all across Europe and over 200 works total, this promises to be a major event. Late March through June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

NYC’s Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art presents a major, large-scale film-based work by transmedia artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. As with much of her work, Cheang in this piece investigates the everyday realities of trans life. The installation promises to be a very engaging experience, with visitors invited to interact with the multiple movable screens that show the central film. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye

A Boston contemporary art center showcases new work from this artist, who was forced to flee her native Uganda when her identity was revealed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for deconstructing unconventional materials to make elaborate, queer-themed sculptures. This exhibition highlights recent pieces based on the theme of queer weddings. This continues her ongoing project of using reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture of defiance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Building on the pioneering work of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how men and women are conditioned to use physical space differently, this show investigates how body language shapes unspoken interaction. Wex’s research included art dating back to 2000 BC. Here, Wex’s explorations are displayed and juxtaposed with the work of modern Black, queer, and feminist artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution celebrates the haunting silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is highlighting the work of up and coming artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring with a show of his three-dimensional works. In September, a Michigan museum presents a collection of the artist's architectural studies. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue exhibits the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.