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From Renaissance masters to pop artists, modern visionaries alongside a renowned Mexican director, galleries as well as institutions across the US have a series of dazzling exhibitions on the horizon in 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed several years ago in 2023, now merely a mostly empty page at The Whitney’s online schedule, this major retrospective of a central creators of the pop art movement comes with significant anticipation. The institution plans to utilize its decades-old collection of nearly 500 pieces from Lichtenstein, as well as, one would imagine, numerous borrowed works from institutions around the world. TBD 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area sister institutions, one prestigious venue and deYoung, will focus on the Floating City with two interconnected exhibitions: one location will offer a celebration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, and the latter will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet thought of the romantic city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the prospect 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 some 37 canvases, including 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 first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to over 1m ft of footage that was left out into the final cut, creating an immersive experience that doubles as a homage to celluloid. Reportedly Iñárritu dug deep into the vaults to create what he called “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the exhibit will instil a sense of optimism that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he also chronicles. 22 February-26 July.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculptor artist a major career survey, starting with her initial pieces and progressing through to a fresh series of works made from scrap metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove often sources her components directly from the city environment, producing intriguing and unusual sculptures that have been displayed in prestigious venues. With significant exhibitions in the MoMA and the Palais de Tokyo, her three decades of creation are ripe for a thorough survey. Early Spring to Summer.

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

Anyone familiar with a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is actually one of 20 cut-paper works that he combined with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, a Midwestern museum exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – as well as some 50 additional pieces by the artist. The cut paper works were part of a late stage flowering for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

Italian master artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated masters of the Italian Renaissance – but he has seldom received a large-scale exhibition on American soil. A premier East Coast institution seeks to change that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is well-known for iconic works 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 blockbuster show. Late March through June.

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

NYC’s queer art museum will host a significant and immersive video installation by Taiwanese-American artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. In keeping with much of her work, Cheang here investigates the daily struggles of trans life. Lover Love promises to be a highly interactive experience, with visitors encouraged to interact with the four moveable screens that show the core footage. 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 discarded objects to make intricate, queer-themed assemblages. This exhibition highlights recent pieces based on the theme of queer weddings. It extends her longstanding practice of using reclaimed materials as a symbolic act of resistance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Expanding upon the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how men and women are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this exhibition investigates how non-verbal communication shapes unspoken interaction. Wex’s research included art as old as ancient sculptures. In this presentation, Wex’s findings are displayed and put into conversation with the work of modern diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

And more …

In February, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates the haunting shadow-based work of Samantha Yun Wall. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of rising artist an innovative creator. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring with a show of his sculptural works. In September, a Michigan museum presents a selection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architecture paintings. And also in September, an Arizona venue exhibits the colorful work of artist Kim Chong Hak.