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Spanning old masters and contemporary icons, modern visionaries and even a renowned Latin American director, galleries as well as galleries across the United States are preparing a series of spectacular exhibitions on the horizon in 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed all the way back during 2023, and currently merely a mostly empty page on a major museum's website, this major retrospective of a pioneering figures of the Pop Art era carries some pretty heavy anticipation. The museum plans to utilize its long-held collection of nearly 500 works from Lichtenstein, in addition to, one would imagine, numerous borrowed works from collections globally. TBD 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

San Francisco partner museums, the Legion of Honor and deYoung, will focus on Venice through two interconnected shows: the former museum presents a exploration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, while the other will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the prospect of depicting Venice – a theme that had captivated the most revered artists for centuries – but he eventually met the challenge, creating some 37 paintings, including the masterpiece *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 massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than a million feet of film that was left out into the final cut, crafting an art installation that doubles as a love letter to celluloid. Accounts suggest Iñárritu delved into the vaults to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of a cherished films. It's possible the exhibit will evoke 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 multidisciplinary sculptor artist a comprehensive retrospective, starting with her initial pieces and moving through to a new series of works made from found metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 1960s” and minimalism, Bove frequently sources her materials directly from the city environment, creating fascinating and strange constructions that have appeared in some of the country’s most notable art spots. With significant exhibitions at the MoMA and the Palais de Tokyo, Bove’s thirty years of work are ripe for a thorough overview. Early Spring to Summer.

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

Those who know a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – it’s actually one of 20 paper compositions that he combined with text and bound into a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, a Midwestern museum will display all 20 of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – the first such showing since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus some 50 additional pieces by the artist. The cut paper works represented a prolific final chapter for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

The great painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned titans of Renaissance Italy – yet he has rarely been honored with a major show on American soil. A premier East Coast institution aims to rectify that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring loans from all across Europe and more than 200 works total, this promises to be a major event. 29 March–28 June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

A New York Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art will host a significant and immersive video installation by transmedia artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in digital art. In keeping with much of her work, Cheang in this piece explores the daily struggles of transgender existence. Lover Love promises to be a very engaging experience, with visitors encouraged to play around with the multiple movable screens that show the central film. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston will feature recent creations from this artist, who was forced to flee her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for transforming discarded objects to make intricate, queer-themed assemblages. This exhibition showcases new work based on the concept of queer weddings. This continues her longstanding practice of employing reclaimed materials as a symbolic act of resistance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Expanding upon the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how genders are socialized to use physical space differently, this show investigates how body language influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s studies spanned art as old as 2000 BC. In this presentation, Wex’s explorations are displayed and put into conversation with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

And more …

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of up and coming artist an innovative creator. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his three-dimensional works. In September, a Michigan museum will show a collection of the artist's architecture paintings. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum exhibits the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.