The Most Exciting American Art Exhibitions Coming in 2026
Spanning old masters to contemporary icons, modern visionaries and even a renowned Latin American director, art museums and galleries throughout the United States are preparing some dazzling shows on the horizon in 2026.
The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein
Announced several years ago in 2023, and currently just a mostly empty page on a major museum's website, this major retrospective of one of the pioneering figures of the Pop Art era comes with some pretty heavy anticipation. The museum plans to utilize its long-held collection of close to 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, as well as, presumably, dozens borrowed works from collections around the world. TBD 2026.
Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice
San Francisco partner museums, one prestigious venue along with another, will be centering the Floating City with two interconnected exhibitions: the former museum will offer a celebration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, and the latter will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. The artist felt intimidated by the challenge of painting Venice – a subject that had captivated the most revered artists for centuries – but he eventually met the challenge, producing approximately 37 paintings, including the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and 21 March-26 July.
Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu
Celebrating the quarter-century of his massive debut film, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to over 1m ft of film that was left out into the released movie, crafting an art installation that also serves as a homage to celluloid. Accounts suggest the director delved into the archives to create what he called “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” 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.
Carol Bove
The Guggenheim is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculpture and installation artist a comprehensive retrospective, starting with her initial pieces and moving through to a fresh collection of pieces fashioned from found metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove often sources her components directly from the city environment, producing intriguing and unusual constructions that have appeared in prestigious venues. With significant exhibitions at the MoMA and the Palais de Tokyo, Bove’s three decades of creation are ready for a thorough overview. Early Spring to Summer.
Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color
Anyone 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 cut-paper works that he combined with text and published as a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, Chicago’s Art Institute will display the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – 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.
Raphael: Sublime Poetry
Italian master painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned titans of Renaissance Italy – but he has seldom been honored with a large-scale exhibition 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 is poised as a major event. 29 March–28 June.
Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love
A New York Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art will host a major, large-scale video installation by transmedia artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in digital art. As with most of her work, Cheang here investigates the daily struggles of trans life. The installation promises to be a very engaging experience, with visitors invited to play around with the multiple movable screens that display the core footage. 2 April–January 2027.
Leilah Babirye
A Boston contemporary art center will feature recent creations from this artist, who was compelled to leave her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for deconstructing unconventional materials to make intricate, LGBTQ+-themed sculptures. This exhibition highlights new work based on the concept of same-sex marriage. It extends 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 studied how men and women are conditioned to use physical space differently, this exhibition examines how non-verbal communication shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s research spanned art dating back to ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s findings are displayed and put into conversation with the work of modern diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.
Additional Highlights for 2026
Early in the year, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates the haunting silhouette art of an emerging artist. Starting 5 March, a prominent gallery is highlighting the work of up and coming artist an innovative creator. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. Come fall, a Michigan museum presents a selection of the artist's architectural studies. And also in September, an Arizona venue displays the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.
