From Renaissance masters to pop artists, contemporary greats alongside a major Latin American film-maker, art museums and institutions across the US are preparing some dazzling exhibitions coming up for 2026.
First revealed all the way back in 2023, and currently merely a placeholder listing on a major museum's online schedule, this expansive survey of one of the pioneering figures of the pop art movement comes with some pretty heavy anticipation. The museum will be drawing on its decades-old collection of close to 500 pieces from Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, numerous borrowed works from collections around the world. TBD 2026.
San Francisco partner museums, the Legion of Honor and another, will be centering the Floating City with two interconnected shows: the former museum will offer a exploration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, and the latter zooms in on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. The artist was daunted by the prospect of depicting Venice – a theme that had inspired the most revered artists for hundreds of years – yet he ultimately rose to the task, producing approximately 37 canvases, among them the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than 1m ft of film that never made it into the final cut, crafting an immersive experience that also serves as a love letter to film. Accounts suggest 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. Perhaps the installation will evoke some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite the pain he also chronicles. 22 February-26 July.
The Guggenheim is dedicating the mixed media sculptor artist a major career survey, beginning with her early works and progressing through to a fresh series of pieces made from found metal and steel tubing. Drawing from “the 60s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently sources her components straight from the city environment, creating intriguing and unusual sculptures that have appeared in prestigious venues. Having had major shows in the MoMA and a Parisian institution, Bove’s three decades of creation are ready for a in-depth overview. 5 March–2 August.
Those who know the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – it’s actually one of 20 cut-paper works that he combined with text and bound into a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, a Midwestern museum will display the complete set of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – an unprecedented exhibition since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – as well as some 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations were part of a prolific final chapter for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.
Italian master artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned titans of the Italian Renaissance – but he has rarely received a large-scale exhibition on American soil. A premier East Coast institution seeks to change that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is famous 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 blockbuster show. Late March through June.
NYC’s Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art presents a significant and immersive video installation by transmedia artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in digital art. As with much of her work, Cheang in this piece explores the everyday realities of trans life. The installation is designed as a very engaging experience, with visitors invited to play around with the multiple movable screens that show the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.
A Boston contemporary art center will feature new work from this artist, who was compelled to leave her native Uganda when her identity was revealed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for transforming discarded objects to make elaborate, queer-themed assemblages. The show showcases recent pieces based on the concept of queer weddings. This continues her ongoing project of using found items as a symbolic act of defiance. 27 August–18 January 2027.
Expanding upon the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are conditioned to use physical space differently, this show investigates how body language influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s studies spanned art as old as ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s explorations are both exhibited and juxtaposed with the work of contemporary diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.
In February, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates the evocative silhouette art of an emerging artist. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is highlighting the work of rising Black artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. In the summer months, an Arkansas museum revisits 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring with a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, a Michigan museum will show a selection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architectural studies. Simultaneously, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.
