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From old masters and contemporary icons, contemporary greats and even a renowned Mexican director, galleries as well as institutions throughout the US have some dazzling shows coming up in 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed all the way back in 2023, now just a mostly empty page at a major museum's online schedule, this major retrospective of one of the pioneering figures of the Pop Art era carries significant expectations. The institution plans to utilize its decades-old collection of close to 500 works by Lichtenstein, as well as, one would imagine, dozens loans from collections globally. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

San Francisco sister institutions, one prestigious venue along with another, will be centering the Floating City through two linked shows: the former museum presents a celebration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, and the latter zooms in on what the Impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. The artist felt intimidated by the prospect of depicting Venice – a subject that had captivated the most revered artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually met the challenge, creating approximately 37 canvases, among them the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and 21 March-26 July.

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

Marking the quarter-century of his massive debut film, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than a million feet of film that was left out of the final cut, crafting an art installation that also serves as a love letter to film. Reportedly Iñárritu dug deep into the vaults to create what he described as “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the exhibit will evoke some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he also chronicles. Late Winter through Summer.

Carol Bove

The Guggenheim will give the mixed media sculpture and installation creator a comprehensive retrospective, beginning with her early works and moving all the way up to a new collection of works made from scrap metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently sources her components straight from the urban landscape, creating fascinating and strange sculptures that have been displayed in some of the country’s most notable art spots. With major shows in Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, Bove’s thirty years of creation are ready for a in-depth survey. 5 March–2 August.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

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 paper compositions that he paired with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, Chicago’s Art Institute will display all 20 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 represented a prolific final chapter for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

Italian master artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned masters of Renaissance Italy – but he has rarely been honored with a large-scale exhibition 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*. With works from throughout Europe and more than 200 works in all, this is poised as a major event. 29 March–28 June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

NYC’s 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. In keeping with most of her work, Cheang in this piece investigates the everyday realities of trans life. Lover Love is designed as a very engaging piece, with visitors invited to interact with the multiple movable screens that show the central film. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

A Boston contemporary art center showcases new work 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. This exhibition showcases new work based on the concept of queer weddings. This continues her longstanding practice of using found items as a symbolic act of defiance. 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 socialized to use physical space differently, this show investigates how body language influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s research spanned art as old as ancient sculptures. Here, 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

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of up and coming artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring with a show of his three-dimensional works. In September, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a collection of the artist's architecture paintings. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue displays the colorful work of artist Kim Chong Hak.