Unmissable American Art Exhibitions Coming in 2026

Spanning Renaissance masters to contemporary icons, modern visionaries alongside a major Latin American director, art museums and galleries across the United States are preparing a series of dazzling exhibitions coming up for 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

Announced all the way back in 2023, now just a placeholder listing at The Whitney’s online schedule, this expansive survey of a central creators of the pop art movement carries significant expectations. The institution will be drawing on its decades-old holdings of nearly 500 pieces from Lichtenstein, as well as, one would imagine, dozens borrowed works from collections globally. Dates to be announced 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

Bay Area partner museums, the Legion of Honor along with deYoung, will be centering the Floating City with two interconnected shows: one location presents a exploration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, while the other will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the prospect of painting Venice – a theme that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – yet he ultimately rose to the task, creating some 37 canvases, including the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than 1m ft of footage that was left out into the final cut, creating an art installation that doubles as a love letter to film. 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 runs through Iñárritu’s film despite the hardship he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

The Guggenheim will give the mixed media sculpture and installation artist a major career survey, beginning with her early works and progressing through to a new collection of works made from scrap metal and steel tubing. Drawing from “the 60s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently takes her materials directly from the urban landscape, creating fascinating and strange sculptures that have appeared in prestigious art spots. With major shows in the MoMA and the Palais de Tokyo, Bove’s three decades of creation are ready for a in-depth overview. Early Spring to Summer.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Anyone who know 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 bound into a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, Chicago’s Art Institute will display all 20 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. The cut paper works represented a prolific final chapter for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

Italian master painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned masters of the Italian Renaissance – but he has seldom received a major show on US soil. A premier East Coast institution seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is well-known for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With loans from throughout Europe and over 200 works total, this promises to be a blockbuster show. Late March through June.

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

NYC’s queer art museum presents a major, large-scale video installation by Taiwanese-American artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in digital art. In keeping with most of her work, Cheang in this piece investigates the daily struggles of trans life. Lover Love is designed as a very engaging experience, with audience members invited to play around with the four moveable screens that show the central film. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye

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 deconstructing discarded objects to make intricate, queer-themed sculptures. This exhibition highlights new work based on the concept of queer weddings. This continues her ongoing project of employing found items as a symbolic act of resistance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Building on the foundational research of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how men and women are conditioned to use physical space differently, this exhibition examines how body language influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s research included art dating back to ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s explorations are displayed and put into conversation with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

Early in the year, the Seattle Art Museum showcases the haunting shadow-based work of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of up and coming artist an innovative creator. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring with a show of his sculptural works. In September, the Detroit Institute of Arts presents a collection of the artist's architectural studies. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue displays the colorful work of artist Kim Chong Hak.