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From Renaissance masters and contemporary icons, contemporary greats and even a renowned Mexican film-maker, art museums as well as galleries across the US have some dazzling exhibitions coming up in 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

Announced several years ago in 2023, now just a mostly empty page on a major museum's website, this major retrospective of one of the central creators of the pop art movement carries significant expectations. The museum will be drawing on its long-held collection of nearly 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, as well as, presumably, dozens loans from collections globally. TBD 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

San Francisco partner museums, the Legion of Honor and deYoung, will focus on Venice with two linked exhibitions: one location will offer a exploration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, and the latter will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. The artist felt intimidated by the prospect of painting Venice – a theme that had inspired the most revered artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually rose to the task, creating some 37 paintings, among them the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and Spring into Summer.

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

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than a million feet of footage that was left out into the final cut, crafting an art installation that also serves as a love letter to celluloid. Accounts suggest the director dug deep into the archives to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of a cherished films. It's possible the installation will instil some of the hope that pervades Iñárritu’s film despite the pain he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

The Guggenheim will give the mixed media sculptor creator a comprehensive retrospective, beginning with her early works and moving all the way up to a fresh collection of works fashioned from scrap metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove frequently takes her materials directly from the city environment, creating fascinating and strange constructions that have been displayed in prestigious art spots. With major shows in Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, her thirty years of creation are ripe for a in-depth survey. 5 March–2 August.

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

Anyone who know a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – this is in fact one of 20 paper compositions that he combined with text and bound into a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, a Midwestern museum will display the complete set of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – the first such showing after the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus some 50 additional pieces by the artist. The cut paper works were part of a prolific final chapter for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

Italian master painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned masters of Renaissance Italy – but he has seldom received a large-scale exhibition on US soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is well-known for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With works from throughout Europe and over 200 works in all, this is poised as a major event. Late March through June.

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

A New York Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art presents a significant and immersive film-based work by transmedia artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in digital art. In keeping with much of her work, Cheang in this piece explores the everyday realities of trans life. The installation is designed as 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

A Boston contemporary art center showcases recent creations from this artist, who was compelled to leave her home country of Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for deconstructing unconventional materials to make intricate, queer-themed assemblages. This exhibition showcases new work based on the concept of queer weddings. This continues her longstanding practice of employing reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture of defiance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Expanding upon the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are socialized to use physical space differently, this exhibition investigates how non-verbal communication influences unconscious interaction. Wex’s research included art dating back to 2000 BC. 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.

And more …

In February, the Seattle Art Museum showcases the haunting shadow-based work of Samantha Yun Wall. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of rising artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. In the summer months, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, the Detroit Institute of Arts presents a collection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architecture paintings. Simultaneously, the Phoenix Art Museum exhibits the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.