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Spanning old masters to pop artists, contemporary greats and even a renowned Mexican director, art museums and institutions across the US have some spectacular shows on the horizon for 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

Announced all the way back in 2023, now just a placeholder listing on a major museum's website, this major retrospective of one of the pioneering figures of the pop art movement carries some pretty heavy anticipation. The museum plans to utilize its long-held holdings of close to 500 works by Lichtenstein, in addition to, one would imagine, numerous loans from institutions globally. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area partner museums, one prestigious venue and another, will focus on the Floating City with two interconnected shows: the former museum presents a exploration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, and the latter will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the romantic city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the challenge of depicting Venice – a theme that had inspired the most revered artists for centuries – but he eventually rose to the task, producing approximately 37 canvases, including the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and Spring into Summer.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Marking the quarter-century of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits over a million feet of footage that was left out of the released movie, creating an art installation that also serves as a love letter to film. Accounts suggest the director dug deep into the vaults to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the installation will instil some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite 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 progressing all the way up to a fresh collection of pieces fashioned from found metal and steel tubing. Inspired by “the 60s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently sources her materials straight from the city environment, creating intriguing and unusual constructions that have appeared in prestigious art spots. Having had major shows at Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, Bove’s three decades of work are ripe for a in-depth survey. Early Spring to Summer.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Those familiar with a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is in fact one of 20 paper compositions that he paired with text and published as a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, Chicago’s Art Institute will display all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition after the museum obtained the works in 1948 – as well as some 50 additional pieces by the artist. The cut paper works represented a late stage flowering for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

Italian master painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned titans of Renaissance Italy – yet he has seldom been honored with a major show on American soil. A premier East Coast institution seeks to change that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is famous for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With works from all across Europe and more than 200 works total, this is poised as a blockbuster show. 29 March–28 June.

Shu Lea Cheang's *Lover Love*: An Interactive Vision

NYC’s queer art museum will host a major, large-scale film-based work by transmedia artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in digital art. As with much of her work, Cheang in this piece explores the daily struggles of transgender existence. Lover Love is designed as a highly interactive experience, with visitors encouraged to interact with the multiple movable screens that display the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye

A Boston contemporary art center showcases recent creations from this artist, who was forced to flee her native Uganda when her identity was revealed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for transforming unconventional materials to make elaborate, queer-themed assemblages. This exhibition showcases recent pieces based on the concept of queer weddings. This continues her longstanding practice of using reclaimed materials 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 conditioned to use physical space differently, this exhibition investigates how body language shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s studies included art dating back to ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s explorations are displayed and put into conversation with the work of contemporary diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

And more …

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the haunting silhouette art of an emerging artist. Beginning 5 March, an art gallery is highlighting the work of rising artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. In the summer months, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring with a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, a Michigan museum will show a selection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architectural studies. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.