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From old masters and contemporary icons, contemporary greats alongside a renowned Mexican film-maker, art museums and galleries across the US have a series of dazzling shows coming up in 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced all the way back in 2023, now merely a placeholder listing at a major museum's website, this expansive survey of a central creators of the pop art movement carries significant anticipation. The institution plans to utilize its decades-old holdings of nearly 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, in addition to, one would imagine, numerous borrowed works from institutions around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area partner museums, one prestigious venue along with another, will focus on Venice with two interconnected shows: the former museum will offer a celebration 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 enchanting city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the challenge of painting Venice – a theme that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for centuries – yet he ultimately rose to the task, producing some 37 paintings, including the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.

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

Marking the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits over 1m ft of footage that was left out of the final cut, creating an art installation that also serves as a homage to celluloid. Accounts suggest Iñárritu delved into the vaults to create what he called “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of a cherished films. It's possible the exhibit will instil a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he simultaneously documents. Late Winter through Summer.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

The Guggenheim is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculptor artist a comprehensive retrospective, beginning with her early works and progressing through to a fresh series of works made from scrap metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently takes her components straight from the city environment, creating fascinating and strange sculptures that have appeared in prestigious art spots. Having had significant exhibitions at Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, her three decades of creation 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* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – it’s 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 the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition since the museum acquired the works in 1948 – plus around 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations were part of a prolific final chapter for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

Italian master painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated masters of Renaissance Italy – but he has rarely received a major show on US soil. A premier East Coast institution seeks to change that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is well-known for masterpieces 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's *Lover Love*: An Interactive Vision

A New York queer art museum will host a major, large-scale film-based work by transmedia artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in digital art. As with most of her work, Cheang in this piece investigates the daily struggles of trans life. The installation is designed as a very engaging experience, with audience members encouraged to interact with the four moveable screens that show the central film. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases new work from this artist, who was forced to flee her native Uganda when her identity was revealed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for transforming discarded objects to make intricate, LGBTQ+-themed assemblages. This exhibition highlights new work based on the theme of queer weddings. This continues her longstanding practice of using reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture of resistance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Building on the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how genders are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this exhibition investigates how non-verbal communication influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s research spanned art as old as ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s explorations are both exhibited and juxtaposed with the work of modern Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

And more …

In February, the Seattle Art Museum showcases the haunting silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is featuring the work of up and coming Black artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, a Michigan museum will show a collection of the artist's architecture paintings. Simultaneously, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.