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Spanning old masters to contemporary icons, contemporary greats and even a renowned Mexican director, galleries as well as galleries across the United States are preparing some dazzling exhibitions coming up in 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed all the way back during 2023, and currently merely a mostly empty page at The Whitney’s website, this expansive survey of one of the pioneering figures of the pop art movement comes with significant expectations. The museum will be drawing on its decades-old holdings of nearly 500 works from Lichtenstein, in addition to, one would imagine, dozens loans from institutions globally. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

San Francisco sister institutions, one prestigious venue and another, will focus on the Floating City with two interconnected shows: the former museum will offer a exploration of the city as an engine of high art for hundreds of years, while the other will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet made of the romantic city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the challenge of depicting Venice – a subject that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – yet he ultimately met the challenge, producing some 37 paintings, 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 over 1m ft of film that was left out of the final cut, creating an art installation that doubles as a homage to celluloid. Accounts suggest the director delved into the archives to create what he described as “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of a cherished films. It's possible the exhibit will instil a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he also chronicles. 22 February-26 July.

Carol Bove

The Guggenheim is dedicating the mixed media sculptor artist a major career survey, starting with her early works and moving through to a new series of pieces made from scrap metal and steel tubing. Inspired by “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove often sources her materials directly from the city environment, creating intriguing and unusual constructions that have appeared in some of the country’s most notable art spots. Having had significant exhibitions at Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, her three decades of creation are ripe for a in-depth overview. 5 March–2 August.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Anyone familiar with the book *The Body Keeps the Score* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is actually one of 20 cut-paper works that he combined with text and bound into a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, Chicago’s Art Institute will display all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition after the museum acquired the works in 1948 – plus some 50 of Matisse’s other works. These creations were part of a prolific final chapter for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

The great artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated titans of the Italian Renaissance – yet he has seldom been honored with a large-scale exhibition on US soil. A premier East Coast institution aims to rectify that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is famous for masterpieces 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 blockbuster show. 29 March–28 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 film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. In keeping with most of her work, Cheang in this piece explores the daily struggles of transgender existence. Lover Love promises to be a very engaging experience, with audience members encouraged to interact with the multiple movable screens that display the central film. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye

A Boston contemporary art center showcases recent creations from this artist, who was compelled to leave her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for deconstructing discarded objects to make intricate, LGBTQ+-themed sculptures. This exhibition showcases recent pieces based on the concept of queer weddings. This continues her ongoing project of using found items as a meaningful gesture of defiance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Expanding upon the pioneering work of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how genders are socialized to inhabit space differently, this exhibition examines how body language influences unconscious interaction. Wex’s research included art as old as 2000 BC. In this presentation, Wex’s findings are displayed and juxtaposed with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

And more …

Early in the year, the Seattle Art Museum showcases the haunting silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Beginning 5 March, an art gallery is featuring the work of up and coming artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, an Arkansas museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. In September, a Michigan museum will show a collection of the artist's architectural studies. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the colorful work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.