The Most Exciting American Art Exhibitions Arriving in 2026
From Renaissance masters to pop artists, contemporary greats alongside a major Mexican film-maker, galleries as well as institutions throughout the United States are preparing a series of dazzling shows on the horizon in 2026.
Roy Lichtenstein
Announced several years ago in 2023, now just a mostly empty page on The Whitney’s website, this major retrospective of one of the central creators of the Pop Art era comes with some pretty heavy anticipation. The museum plans to utilize its long-held holdings of close to 500 works by Lichtenstein, in addition to, one would imagine, dozens borrowed works from institutions around the world. TBD 2026.
Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice
Bay Area sister institutions, the Legion of Honor and another, will focus on Venice with two interconnected shows: one location presents a exploration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, while the other will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet thought of the romantic city of canals. The artist felt intimidated by the challenge of painting Venice – a subject that had captivated the world’s most esteemed artists for centuries – yet he ultimately met the challenge, producing some 37 canvases, among them the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and Spring into Summer.
Alejandro G Iñárritu's *Sueño Perro*: A Cinematic Resurrection
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than 1m ft of footage that was left out of the released movie, creating an art installation that doubles as a homage to film. Accounts suggest Iñárritu dug deep into the vaults to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of a cherished films. It's possible the installation will instil a sense of optimism that pervades Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he simultaneously documents. 22 February-26 July.
The Sculptural World of Carol Bove
The Guggenheim will give the mixed media sculpture and installation creator a comprehensive retrospective, beginning with her initial pieces and moving all the way up to a fresh series of pieces fashioned from scrap metal and steel tubing. Inspired by “the 1960s” and minimalism, Bove frequently sources her materials straight from the city environment, producing fascinating and strange constructions that have been displayed in some of the country’s most notable art spots. Having had significant exhibitions in the MoMA and a Parisian institution, Bove’s thirty years of work are ripe for a in-depth overview. Early Spring to Summer.
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 actually 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 exhibits all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing after the museum acquired the works in 1948 – plus around 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations were part of a late stage flowering for Matisse. March through early Summer.
Raphael: Sublime Poetry
The great artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned titans of the Italian Renaissance – yet he has rarely received a large-scale exhibition on American soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is famous for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring loans from all across Europe and over 200 works in all, this promises to be a blockbuster show. 29 March–28 June.
Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love
NYC’s queer art museum will host a significant and immersive film-based work by transmedia artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in digital art. In keeping with much of her work, Cheang here explores the daily struggles of transgender existence. The installation promises to be a highly interactive experience, with visitors encouraged to play around with the four moveable screens that show the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.
Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance
A Boston contemporary art center showcases recent creations from this artist, who was forced to flee her home country of Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for transforming discarded objects to make elaborate, LGBTQ+-themed assemblages. This exhibition highlights new work based on the theme of same-sex marriage. This continues her ongoing project of employing found items as a meaningful gesture of resistance. 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 socialized to inhabit space differently, this exhibition investigates how non-verbal communication shapes unspoken interaction. Wex’s research spanned art as old as ancient sculptures. In this presentation, Wex’s findings are displayed and put into conversation with the work of modern Black, queer, and feminist artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.
Additional Highlights for 2026
Early in the year, the Seattle Art Museum showcases the evocative silhouette art of an emerging artist. Beginning 5 March, an art gallery is highlighting the work of up and coming Black artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. In the summer months, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring with a show of his sculptural works. In September, the Detroit Institute of Arts will show a selection of the artist's architecture paintings. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue displays the colorful work of artist Kim Chong Hak.