The Most Exciting American Art Exhibitions Arriving in 2026

From Renaissance masters to contemporary icons, contemporary greats and even a major Latin American director, art museums as well as institutions across the US have a series of spectacular exhibitions on the horizon in 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced all the way back in 2023, now merely a placeholder listing on The Whitney’s online schedule, this expansive survey of one of the pioneering figures of the Pop Art era comes with significant expectations. The institution will be drawing on its decades-old holdings of nearly 500 works by Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, dozens borrowed works from collections around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area partner museums, the Legion of Honor and another, will be centering the Floating City with two interconnected shows: the former museum presents a exploration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, 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 captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for centuries – yet he ultimately met the challenge, creating some 37 canvases, among them the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and Spring into Summer.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Marking the 25th anniversary of his massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits over a million feet 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 vaults to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of a cherished films. Perhaps the exhibit will evoke a sense of optimism 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 is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculpture and installation creator a comprehensive retrospective, beginning with her initial pieces and moving through to a fresh collection of pieces made from found metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 1960s” and minimalism, Bove often takes her components directly from the city environment, creating fascinating and strange constructions that have appeared in prestigious art spots. With major shows in Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, her thirty years of work are ripe for a in-depth survey. 5 March–2 August.

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

Anyone who know a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – it’s in fact one of 20 cut-paper works that he paired with text and published as a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, a Midwestern museum will display all 20 of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – an unprecedented exhibition after the museum acquired the works in 1948 – plus around 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations represented a late stage flowering for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

Italian master painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated titans of the Italian Renaissance – but he has seldom been honored with a major show on American soil. A premier East Coast institution aims to rectify that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is famous for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With works from throughout Europe and over 200 works total, this is poised as a major event. Late March through June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

A New York queer art museum will host a significant and immersive film-based work by transmedia artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in digital art. As with most of her work, Cheang here explores the everyday realities of trans life. The installation promises to be a highly interactive experience, with visitors invited to play around with the multiple movable screens that show the central film. 2 April–January 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases new work from this artist, who was compelled to leave her home country of Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for transforming discarded objects to make intricate, queer-themed sculptures. This exhibition showcases recent pieces based on the concept of queer weddings. It extends her ongoing project of using found items as a symbolic act of defiance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Expanding upon the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are socialized to use physical space differently, this show investigates how body language influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s studies spanned art as old as ancient sculptures. In this presentation, Wex’s findings are both exhibited and juxtaposed with the work of contemporary diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, a Pacific Northwest institution celebrates the evocative shadow-based work of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is featuring the work of up and coming Black artist an innovative creator. During the summer, an Arkansas museum revisits 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring with a show of his three-dimensional works. Come fall, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a selection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architecture paintings. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue displays the vibrant work of artist Kim Chong Hak.