Unmissable US Art Exhibitions Coming in 2026

Spanning Renaissance masters to pop artists, contemporary greats and even a renowned Latin American film-maker, galleries and galleries across the US have a series of spectacular exhibitions on the horizon for 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed several years ago in 2023, now merely a placeholder listing on The Whitney’s online schedule, this expansive survey of one of the pioneering figures of the pop art movement comes with some pretty heavy anticipation. The museum plans to utilize its decades-old collection of close to 500 works from Lichtenstein, as well as, one would imagine, dozens loans from institutions around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

Bay Area sister institutions, one prestigious venue along with deYoung, will focus on Venice through two linked shows: the former museum presents a exploration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, and the latter will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the prospect of depicting Venice – a subject that had captivated the most revered artists for hundreds of years – yet he ultimately rose to the task, producing some 37 canvases, including the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and Spring into Summer.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Marking the quarter-century of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits over a million feet of footage that was left out into the final cut, crafting an immersive experience that also serves as a homage to celluloid. Reportedly the director dug deep into the archives to create what he described as “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of a cherished films. Perhaps the installation will instil some of the hope that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

Carol Bove

A major New York museum is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculptor artist a major career survey, starting with her early works and progressing through to a new collection of pieces fashioned from scrap metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently sources her materials directly from the urban landscape, creating intriguing and unusual constructions that have been displayed in prestigious venues. Having had major shows in the MoMA and a Parisian institution, her thirty years of work are ripe for a thorough survey. Early Spring to Summer.

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

Those familiar with a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – it’s actually one of 20 cut-paper works that he combined with text and bound into a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, a Midwestern museum will display all 20 of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – an unprecedented exhibition since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – as well as some 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations represented a late stage flowering for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

Italian master painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned masters of the Italian Renaissance – but he has rarely received a large-scale exhibition on American soil. A premier East Coast institution aims to rectify that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With works from throughout Europe and over 200 works in all, this promises to be a major event. Late March through June.

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

NYC’s queer art museum presents a significant and immersive video installation by transmedia artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in new media art. In keeping with most of her work, Cheang here explores the daily struggles of transgender existence. The installation is designed as a very engaging experience, with audience members invited to interact with the multiple movable screens that show the core footage. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

A Boston contemporary art center showcases new work from this artist, who was forced to flee her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for deconstructing discarded objects to make elaborate, LGBTQ+-themed assemblages. This exhibition highlights new work based on the theme of queer weddings. It extends her longstanding practice of using found items as a meaningful gesture of defiance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Building on the foundational research of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how men and women are socialized to inhabit space differently, this show examines how non-verbal communication influences unconscious interaction. Wex’s research included art dating back to 2000 BC. In this presentation, Wex’s explorations are displayed and put into conversation with the work of modern Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

Early in the year, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is featuring the work of up and coming Black artist an innovative creator. During the summer, an Arkansas museum reexamines 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. In September, a Michigan museum will show a collection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architecture paintings. And also in September, an Arizona venue exhibits the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.