🔗 Share this article Unmissable US Art Exhibitions Coming in 2026 From old masters to pop artists, modern visionaries and even a renowned Mexican director, art museums as well as galleries throughout the United States have some dazzling shows coming up for 2026. The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein First revealed all the way back in 2023, and currently merely a placeholder listing on The Whitney’s website, this expansive survey of a central creators of the pop art movement carries some pretty heavy anticipation. The museum will be drawing on its long-held holdings of nearly 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, in addition to, one would imagine, dozens borrowed works from institutions around the world. TBD 2026. Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet Bay Area sister institutions, the Legion of Honor and another, will be centering Venice with two interconnected exhibitions: the former museum will offer a celebration of the city as a source of high art for hundreds of years, and the latter will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. The artist felt intimidated by the challenge of depicting Venice – a theme that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually met the challenge, producing some 37 paintings, including the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and Spring into Summer. Alejandro G Iñárritu's *Sueño Perro*: A Cinematic Resurrection An image from this artistic project. Courtesy: Artist's Archive Marking the 25th anniversary of his massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than 1m ft of footage that never made it of the released movie, creating an immersive experience that doubles as a homage to film. Accounts suggest the director dug deep 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 instil a sense of optimism that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he also chronicles. 22 February-26 July. The Sculptural World of Carol Bove The Guggenheim is dedicating the mixed media sculptor artist a comprehensive retrospective, beginning with her initial pieces and moving through to a fresh series of pieces made from found metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove frequently takes her materials directly from the urban landscape, creating intriguing and unusual sculptures that have appeared in prestigious art spots. With major shows in the MoMA and a Parisian institution, Bove’s thirty years of work are ready for a thorough overview. 5 March–2 August. Henri Matisse's *Jazz*: A Symphony of Cut Paper Henri Matisse - *Horse, Rider, and Clown* from *Jazz*, 1947. Credit: Museum Collection Anyone familiar with the book *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 paired with text and published as a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, Chicago’s Art Institute exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – the first such showing since the museum acquired the works in 1948 – plus some 50 of Matisse’s other works. The cut paper works represented a prolific final chapter for Matisse. March through early Summer. Raphael: Sublime Poetry Italian master artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated masters of Renaissance Italy – but he has rarely received a major show on US soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With works from throughout Europe and more than 200 works total, this promises to be a blockbuster show. Late March through June. Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love *SadeX tableaux* by the artist. Photo: Example Photographer A New York Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art presents 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 explores the daily struggles of trans life. The installation promises to be a highly interactive piece, with visitors invited to interact with the multiple movable screens that show the central film. Spring 2026 through early 2027. Leilah Babirye The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston will feature 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 unconventional materials to make elaborate, LGBTQ+-themed assemblages. The show highlights new work based on the concept of queer weddings. This continues her longstanding practice of using found items as a meaningful gesture of resistance. 27 August–18 January 2027. Taking Back Our Space Study from the artist's seminal work. Credit: Example Museum Expanding upon the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this exhibition examines how body language influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s studies included art dating back to ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s explorations are both exhibited and put into conversation with the work of modern Black, queer, and feminist artists. Fall 2026 into 2027. Additional Highlights for 2026 Early in the year, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the haunting silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is highlighting the work of up and coming Black artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring through a show of his three-dimensional works. In September, a Michigan museum will show a collection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architecture paintings. Simultaneously, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the colorful work of artist Kim Chong Hak.