Must-See US Gallery Shows Arriving in 2026

Spanning Renaissance masters to pop artists, contemporary greats alongside a major Mexican film-maker, galleries as well as institutions throughout the US have a series of spectacular exhibitions on the horizon for 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed several years ago during 2023, and currently merely a mostly empty page at The Whitney’s online schedule, this major retrospective of one of the pioneering figures of the Pop Art era comes with some pretty heavy anticipation. The institution plans to utilize its decades-old collection of nearly 500 pieces by Lichtenstein, as well as, one would imagine, numerous borrowed works from collections globally. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area sister institutions, the Legion of Honor and another, will be centering the Floating City with two linked exhibitions: the former museum presents a exploration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, and the latter zooms in on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the romantic city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the prospect of painting Venice – a subject that had captivated the most revered artists for centuries – yet he ultimately rose to the task, producing some 37 canvases, among them the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and Spring into Summer.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to over a million feet of footage that never made it into the final cut, crafting an immersive experience that also serves as a homage to film. Reportedly Iñárritu 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 exhibit will evoke some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the hardship he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum will give the mixed media sculpture and installation creator a major career survey, beginning with her early works and moving all the way up to a new series of pieces made from scrap metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 60s” and Minimalist art, Bove often sources her materials straight from the urban landscape, creating fascinating and strange constructions that have appeared in some of the country’s most notable art spots. With significant exhibitions at the MoMA and the Palais de Tokyo, Bove’s thirty years of work are ready for a in-depth overview. 5 March–2 August.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Anyone familiar with a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – it’s in fact one of 20 cut-paper works that he combined with text and bound into a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, Chicago’s Art Institute exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing after the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus around 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations represented a prolific final chapter for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

The great painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated titans of Renaissance Italy – yet he has rarely received a major show 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*. Featuring loans from throughout Europe and over 200 works total, this is poised as a major event. 29 March–28 June.

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

A New York queer art museum will host a major, large-scale film-based work by Taiwanese-American artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in digital art. In keeping with most of her work, Cheang in this piece explores the daily struggles of trans life. Lover Love promises to be a very engaging piece, with visitors invited to interact with the multiple movable screens that display the core footage. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

A Boston contemporary art center will feature recent creations from this artist, who was forced to flee her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for transforming unconventional materials to make intricate, LGBTQ+-themed sculptures. The show showcases new work based on the theme of same-sex marriage. It extends her longstanding practice of using reclaimed materials as a symbolic act of defiance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Building on the pioneering work of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this show investigates how body language shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s studies spanned art as old as 2000 BC. Here, Wex’s explorations are displayed 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 showcases the haunting shadow-based work of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of rising artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his three-dimensional works. Come fall, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a collection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architecture paintings. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum exhibits the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.