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From Renaissance masters to contemporary icons, contemporary greats and even a renowned Mexican film-maker, art museums as well as institutions across the United States have a series of dazzling shows on the horizon for 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced several years ago during 2023, and currently merely a placeholder listing at The Whitney’s online schedule, this major retrospective of one of the central creators of the Pop Art era comes with significant expectations. The institution plans to utilize its decades-old collection of nearly 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, in addition to, one would imagine, numerous borrowed works from institutions globally. TBD 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

Bay Area sister institutions, the Legion of Honor along with another, will focus on the Floating City with two interconnected shows: one location will offer a exploration of the city as a source of high art for hundreds of years, and the latter zooms in on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the challenge of depicting Venice – a subject that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually rose to the task, creating approximately 37 paintings, including the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.

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

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than 1m ft of footage that never made it of the final cut, creating an art installation that also serves as a homage to celluloid. Reportedly the director dug deep into the vaults to create what he called “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of a cherished films. It's possible the installation will instil some of the hope that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he simultaneously documents. Late Winter through Summer.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

The Guggenheim is dedicating the mixed media sculpture and installation artist a major career survey, beginning with her early works and moving through to a fresh collection of pieces made from found metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 60s” and Minimalist art, Bove often sources her materials straight from the city environment, creating fascinating and strange constructions that have been displayed in some of the country’s most notable venues. Having had major shows at Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, Bove’s three decades of work are ready for a in-depth overview. 5 March–2 August.

Henri Matisse's *Jazz*: A Symphony of Cut Paper

Anyone familiar with a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – this is actually one of 20 paper compositions that he combined with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, Chicago’s Art Institute exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing after the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus some 50 of Matisse’s other works. The cut paper works were part of a prolific final chapter for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

Italian master painter and architect 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 major show on US soil. A premier East Coast institution aims to rectify that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is well-known for iconic works 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's *Lover Love*: An Interactive Vision

NYC’s queer art museum presents a significant and immersive video installation by Taiwanese-American artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in new media art. As with most of her work, Cheang in this piece investigates the daily struggles of trans life. Lover Love promises to be a highly interactive experience, with audience members encouraged to interact with the four moveable screens that show the central film. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston will feature new work 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 deconstructing unconventional materials to make elaborate, queer-themed assemblages. The show showcases recent pieces based on the theme of queer weddings. This continues her ongoing project of using found items as a meaningful gesture of resistance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Expanding upon the pioneering work of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how genders are socialized to inhabit space differently, this show investigates how body language influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s studies spanned art dating back to ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s findings are both exhibited and juxtaposed with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

And more …

In February, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates the evocative shadow-based work of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is featuring the work of rising Black artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring through a show of his three-dimensional works. In September, a Michigan museum presents a selection of the artist's architectural studies. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum exhibits the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.