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From old masters and contemporary icons, contemporary greats and even a major Latin American director, galleries as well as galleries throughout the United States have some dazzling exhibitions on the horizon for 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed several years ago in 2023, now just a placeholder listing on The Whitney’s online schedule, this expansive survey of one of the central creators of the pop art movement comes with some pretty heavy expectations. The museum will be drawing on its long-held collection of nearly 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, numerous borrowed works from institutions around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

Bay Area sister institutions, one prestigious venue and another, will focus on the Floating City with two linked shows: the former museum will offer a celebration of the city as a source of high art throughout the centuries, and the latter zooms in on what impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the challenge of depicting Venice – a theme that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – yet he ultimately met the challenge, producing approximately 37 paintings, among them 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 quarter-century of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits over 1m ft of footage that never made it into the final cut, creating an immersive experience that doubles as a love letter to celluloid. Reportedly the director delved into the vaults to create what he called “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the installation will evoke a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum is dedicating the mixed media sculptor artist a comprehensive retrospective, starting with her early works and progressing all the way up to a fresh series of works fashioned from scrap metal and steel tubing. Inspired by “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove often sources her materials directly from the city environment, producing fascinating and strange constructions that have appeared in prestigious art spots. With significant exhibitions in Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, Bove’s thirty years of work are ripe for a thorough survey. 5 March–2 August.

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

Anyone who know the book *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 bound into a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, a Midwestern museum exhibits all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing after the museum obtained the works in 1948 – as well as around 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 stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated titans of Renaissance Italy – yet he has seldom been honored with a major show on American soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum 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 all across Europe and more than 200 works total, this promises to be a major event. Late March through June.

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

A New York queer art museum will host a major, large-scale film-based work by Taiwanese-American artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in digital art. In keeping with much of her work, Cheang in this piece investigates the daily struggles of trans life. Lover Love is designed as a very engaging piece, with audience members invited to play around 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 when her identity was revealed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for deconstructing discarded objects to make intricate, LGBTQ+-themed sculptures. This exhibition highlights new work based on the theme of same-sex marriage. It extends her longstanding practice of using reclaimed materials as a symbolic act 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 conditioned to use physical space differently, this show investigates how non-verbal communication influences unconscious interaction. Wex’s research included art dating back to ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s explorations are displayed and juxtaposed with the work of modern diverse artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative shadow-based work of an emerging artist. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is featuring the work of up and coming artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring with a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, the Detroit Institute of Arts presents a selection of the artist's architectural studies. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue displays the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.