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From Renaissance masters to pop artists, contemporary greats alongside a renowned Mexican film-maker, galleries and institutions throughout the United States are preparing some dazzling shows coming up for 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

Announced all the way back during 2023, now merely a placeholder listing at The Whitney’s online schedule, this expansive survey of one of the central creators of the pop art movement carries significant anticipation. The museum plans to utilize its long-held collection of nearly 500 works by Lichtenstein, as well as, presumably, numerous loans from institutions around the world. TBD 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area partner museums, one prestigious venue along with deYoung, will be centering the Floating City with two interconnected 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 made of the enchanting city of canals. The artist felt intimidated by the challenge of depicting Venice – a theme that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – yet he ultimately rose to the task, producing approximately 37 paintings, among them the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and Spring into Summer.

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

Marking the 25th anniversary of his massive debut film, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits over 1m ft of film that was left out into the final cut, creating an immersive experience that also serves as a love letter to film. Reportedly Iñárritu dug deep into the archives to create what he called “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the exhibit will instil some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite the hardship he simultaneously documents. Late Winter through Summer.

Carol Bove

The Guggenheim will give the mixed media sculpture and installation creator a major career survey, beginning with her initial pieces and progressing through to a new collection of pieces fashioned from found metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 60s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently takes her components directly from the city environment, creating intriguing and unusual constructions that have appeared in prestigious art spots. With significant exhibitions at Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, her three decades of work are ripe for a thorough survey. Early Spring to Summer.

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

Anyone who know a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is in fact one of 20 paper compositions that he combined with text and bound into a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, a Midwestern museum exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition after the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus some 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations represented a late stage flowering for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

The great painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated titans of Renaissance Italy – yet he has rarely been honored with a large-scale exhibition on US soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring works from all across Europe and more than 200 works in all, this is poised as a major event. 29 March–28 June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

A New York queer art museum will host a major, large-scale film-based work by Taiwanese-American artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in new media art. As with much of her work, Cheang in this piece investigates the everyday realities of transgender existence. Lover Love is designed as a very engaging piece, with visitors encouraged to interact with the multiple movable screens that display the central film. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye

A Boston contemporary art center showcases recent creations from this artist, who was forced to flee 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 recent pieces based on the concept of queer weddings. It extends her ongoing project of employing reclaimed materials as a symbolic act of resistance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Building on the pioneering work of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are conditioned to use physical space differently, this show investigates how body language influences unconscious interaction. Wex’s studies included art as old as ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s explorations are displayed and put into conversation with the work of modern diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

And more …

In February, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates the haunting silhouette art of an emerging artist. Beginning 5 March, an art gallery is featuring the work of rising Black artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring with 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. And also in September, an Arizona venue exhibits the colorful work of artist Kim Chong Hak.