From old masters to contemporary icons, modern visionaries alongside a major Latin American film-maker, art museums as well as galleries across the United States are preparing a series of spectacular exhibitions coming up for 2026.
The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein
Announced several years ago in 2023, now just a placeholder listing on a major museum's website, this expansive survey of one of the central creators of the Pop Art era carries some pretty heavy anticipation. The institution will be drawing on its decades-old collection of nearly 500 works from Lichtenstein, as well as, one would imagine, dozens borrowed works from collections around the world. TBD 2026.
Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet
San Francisco sister institutions, one prestigious venue and another, will be centering Venice through two linked exhibitions: one location presents a exploration of the city as an engine of high art throughout the centuries, and the latter zooms in on what the Impressionist Claude Monet made of the romantic city of canals. The artist felt intimidated by the prospect of depicting Venice – a subject that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – yet he ultimately rose to the task, producing some 37 canvases, including the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and 21 March-26 July.
Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu
Marking the quarter-century of his massive debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than 1m ft of film that never made it into the final cut, creating an art installation that doubles as a love letter to celluloid. Accounts suggest Iñárritu delved into the vaults to create what he called “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. Late Winter through Summer.
Carol Bove
A major New York museum is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculptor creator a comprehensive retrospective, starting with her initial pieces and moving through to a fresh series of works fashioned from scrap metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove often sources her materials straight from the urban landscape, creating intriguing and unusual constructions that have been displayed in prestigious venues. Having had major shows at the MoMA and the Palais de Tokyo, Bove’s thirty years of work are ripe for a in-depth overview. Early Spring to Summer.
Henri Matisse's *Jazz*: A Symphony of Cut Paper
Those who know the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is in fact one of 20 cut-paper works that he combined with text and published as a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, Chicago’s Art Institute will display the complete set of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – an unprecedented exhibition after the museum acquired the works in 1948 – as well as 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
The great artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned titans of the Italian Renaissance – yet he has rarely received a large-scale exhibition on US soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With works from all across Europe and over 200 works total, this promises to be a major event. Late March through June.
Shu Lea Cheang's *Lover Love*: An Interactive Vision
A New York queer art museum presents a major, large-scale film-based work by transmedia artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in digital art. In keeping with most of her work, Cheang in this piece investigates the daily struggles of trans life. Lover Love promises to be a very engaging piece, with visitors encouraged to play around with the multiple movable screens that show the core footage. 2 April–January 2027.
Leilah Babirye
The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases recent creations from this artist, who was compelled to leave her home country of Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for transforming discarded objects to make elaborate, queer-themed sculptures. The show showcases new work based on the concept of queer weddings. It extends her longstanding practice of employing found items 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 men and women are socialized to use physical space differently, this show examines how body language influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s research spanned art dating back to 2000 BC. Here, Wex’s explorations are both exhibited and put into conversation with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.
Additional Highlights for 2026
Early in the year, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the haunting shadow-based work of an emerging artist. Starting 5 March, a prominent gallery is highlighting the work of up and coming Black artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines iconic pop 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.
