Must-See US Art Exhibitions Coming in 2026
From Renaissance masters to pop artists, contemporary greats alongside a renowned Latin American film-maker, art museums as well as institutions throughout the US are preparing some dazzling shows on the horizon in 2026.
Roy Lichtenstein
First revealed all the way back during 2023, and currently merely a mostly empty page at The Whitney’s online schedule, this major retrospective of a central creators of the Pop Art era carries significant anticipation. The institution plans to utilize its decades-old holdings of close to 500 pieces from Lichtenstein, as well as, presumably, numerous borrowed works from collections globally. TBD 2026.
Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice
Bay Area partner museums, one prestigious venue along with another, will be centering the Floating City with two linked exhibitions: the former museum presents a celebration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, while the other will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the prospect of depicting Venice – a subject that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for centuries – yet he ultimately rose to the task, producing some 37 canvases, among them the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and 21 March-26 July.
Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu
Marking the quarter-century of his groundbreaking first feature, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than 1m ft of film that was left out of the final cut, creating an immersive experience that doubles as a love letter to celluloid. Reportedly Iñárritu delved into the archives to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the installation will instil some of the hope that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he also chronicles. Late Winter through Summer.
The Sculptural World of Carol Bove
The Guggenheim is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculpture and installation creator a comprehensive retrospective, beginning with her early works and progressing through to a fresh series of pieces fashioned from scrap metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove often takes her components directly from the urban landscape, creating intriguing and unusual sculptures that have been displayed in prestigious art spots. Having had major shows at Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, her thirty years of work are ripe for a in-depth overview. 5 March–2 August.
Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color
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 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 all 20 of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – the first such showing after the museum acquired the works in 1948 – as well as around 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations were part of a prolific final chapter for Matisse. March through early Summer.
Raphael: Master of the Renaissance
The great artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned masters of the Italian Renaissance – but he has rarely been honored with a major show on American soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum aims to rectify that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With loans from throughout Europe and more than 200 works total, this is poised as a blockbuster show. 29 March–28 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 film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in new media art. In keeping with much of her work, Cheang in this piece explores the daily struggles of trans life. The installation is designed as a very engaging piece, with visitors invited to play around with the four moveable screens that show the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.
Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance
The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston will feature 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 recognized for transforming unconventional materials to make intricate, LGBTQ+-themed assemblages. The show highlights new work based on the theme of queer weddings. It extends 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 inhabit space differently, this show examines how body language influences unconscious 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 contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.
And more …
Early in the year, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates the haunting shadow-based work of Samantha Yun Wall. Beginning 5 March, an art gallery is highlighting the work of up and coming Black artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, an Arkansas museum revisits 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 architectural studies. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.
