Must-See American Art Exhibitions Arriving in 2026

From old masters and contemporary icons, contemporary greats and even a major Mexican film-maker, art museums and institutions throughout the United States are preparing a series of dazzling shows coming up in 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed all the way back during 2023, and currently merely a placeholder listing at The Whitney’s website, this expansive survey of one of the central creators of the pop art movement carries some pretty heavy expectations. The museum plans to utilize its long-held holdings of close to 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, numerous borrowed works from institutions globally. TBD 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area sister institutions, one prestigious venue and deYoung, will focus on Venice with two linked shows: one location will offer a celebration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, and the latter zooms in on what impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the challenge of painting Venice – a theme that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for centuries – yet he ultimately rose to the task, producing approximately 37 canvases, including the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and Spring into Summer.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Marking the quarter-century of his massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than 1m ft of film that was left out of the released movie, creating an immersive experience that also serves as a love letter to celluloid. Accounts suggest the director dug deep into the vaults to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of a cherished films. Perhaps the installation will instil some of the hope that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he simultaneously documents. Late Winter through Summer.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

The Guggenheim will give the multidisciplinary sculpture and installation artist a major career survey, starting with her initial pieces and moving all the way up to a fresh collection of works made from found metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 1960s” and minimalism, Bove frequently takes her components straight from the city environment, creating fascinating and strange sculptures that have appeared in prestigious venues. With significant exhibitions in the MoMA and a Parisian institution, Bove’s thirty years of work are ready for a in-depth survey. Early Spring to Summer.

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

Anyone who know the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – it’s in fact one of 20 cut-paper works that he paired with text and bound into a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, a Midwestern museum will display all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing since the museum acquired the works in 1948 – as well as some 50 of Matisse’s other works. These creations represented a prolific final chapter 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 titans of Renaissance Italy – but he has rarely been honored with a major show on US soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring loans from all across Europe and more than 200 works total, 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 major, large-scale video installation by Taiwanese-American artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in digital art. As with most of her work, Cheang in this piece investigates the daily struggles of transgender existence. The installation is designed as a very engaging piece, with audience members invited to interact 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 native Uganda when her identity was revealed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for deconstructing unconventional materials to make elaborate, queer-themed sculptures. This exhibition showcases recent pieces based on the theme of queer weddings. This continues her longstanding practice of using found items as a meaningful gesture of resistance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Expanding upon the pioneering work of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how genders are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this exhibition investigates how body language shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s research spanned art as old as 2000 BC. Here, Wex’s findings are displayed and put into conversation with the work of modern Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates the evocative shadow-based work of Samantha Yun Wall. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is highlighting the work of rising Black artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, an Arkansas museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. In September, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a collection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architecture paintings. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue displays the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.