Unmissable American Art Exhibitions Coming in 2026

From Renaissance masters and contemporary icons, contemporary greats alongside a major Latin American director, galleries and institutions across the US have some dazzling shows coming up in 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced all the way back in 2023, and currently merely a mostly empty page at a major museum's website, this major retrospective of one of the pioneering figures of the pop art movement comes with significant expectations. The museum plans to utilize its decades-old collection of close to 500 works by Lichtenstein, as well as, presumably, numerous loans from collections around the world. TBD 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area sister institutions, the Legion of Honor along with another, will be centering the Floating City with two interconnected shows: the former museum presents a celebration of the city as an engine of high art throughout the centuries, while the other will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the challenge of depicting Venice – a theme that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually rose to the task, producing some 37 paintings, including the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.

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

Marking the 25th anniversary of his massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits over a million feet of film that never made it into the released movie, crafting an immersive experience that doubles as a homage to film. Reportedly the director delved into the archives to create what he called “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the installation will evoke 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

A major New York museum will give the multidisciplinary sculptor creator a major career survey, beginning with her early works and progressing through to a fresh collection of works fashioned from scrap metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently takes her materials directly from the urban landscape, producing intriguing and unusual sculptures that have appeared in prestigious art spots. Having had significant exhibitions in Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, Bove’s three decades of work are ripe for a in-depth survey. 5 March–2 August.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Those who know the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – it’s in fact one of 20 paper compositions that he paired with text and bound into a volume 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 acquired the works in 1948 – plus around 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations represented a late stage flowering for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

The great painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated masters of the Italian Renaissance – yet he has rarely received a major show on US soil. A premier East Coast institution seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With works from all across Europe and more than 200 works total, this promises to be a blockbuster show. Late March through June.

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

A New York Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art will host a major, large-scale film-based work by Taiwanese-American artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in digital art. In keeping with much of her work, Cheang here explores the daily struggles of trans life. Lover Love is designed as a highly interactive piece, with audience members invited to play around with the four moveable screens that display the central film. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston 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 known for transforming discarded objects to make intricate, LGBTQ+-themed sculptures. The show highlights recent pieces based on the theme of queer weddings. This continues her ongoing project of employing found items as a meaningful gesture of defiance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Expanding upon the pioneering work of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are socialized to use physical space differently, this exhibition examines how body language shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s research spanned art as old as ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s findings are both exhibited and juxtaposed with the work of contemporary diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

Early in the year, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates the haunting shadow-based work of an emerging artist. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is highlighting the work of rising Black artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. In September, a Michigan museum will show a selection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architecture paintings. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the colorful work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.