🔗 Share this article The Most Exciting American Art Exhibitions Coming in 2026 From Renaissance masters to contemporary icons, modern visionaries alongside a major Latin American director, galleries and institutions throughout the US are preparing some spectacular shows on the horizon for 2026. The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein Announced several years ago during 2023, and currently just a placeholder listing at The Whitney’s online schedule, this major retrospective of one of the pioneering figures of the pop art movement comes with some pretty heavy expectations. The institution will be drawing on 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 deYoung, will be centering the Floating City through two interconnected exhibitions: one location presents a exploration of the city as a source of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, while the other will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. The artist felt intimidated by the prospect of painting Venice – a theme that had inspired the most revered artists for centuries – but he eventually rose to the task, producing approximately 37 paintings, among them the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and Spring into Summer. Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu A visual from the artistic project. Credit: Artist's Archive Celebrating the quarter-century of his groundbreaking debut film, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than 1m ft of film that never made it of the released movie, crafting an immersive experience that also serves as a homage to film. Reportedly the director dug deep into the archives to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the exhibit will instil some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite the hardship he simultaneously documents. Late Winter through Summer. The Sculptural World of Carol Bove The Guggenheim is dedicating the mixed media sculpture and installation creator a comprehensive retrospective, starting with her early works and moving all the way up to a new collection of pieces made from found metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently sources her materials straight from the urban landscape, producing intriguing and unusual constructions that have appeared in some of the country’s most notable art spots. Having had significant exhibitions at Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, her three decades of work are ripe for a thorough overview. 5 March–2 August. Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color Henri Matisse - A composition from *Jazz*, 1947. Credit: Example Archive Anyone who know the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize 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 book titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, Chicago’s Art Institute will display all 20 of Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes – an unprecedented exhibition after the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus around 50 of Matisse’s other works. These creations were part of a prolific final chapter for Matisse. March through early Summer. Raphael: Master of the Renaissance The great artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned titans of Renaissance Italy – yet he has seldom been honored with a major show on American soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is well-known for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring loans from throughout Europe and more than 200 works in all, this is poised as a major event. 29 March–28 June. Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love An artistic creation by Shu Lea Cheang. Photo: Example Photographer A New York Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art will host a major, large-scale film-based work by Taiwanese-American artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. As with most of her work, Cheang here explores the daily struggles of transgender existence. Lover Love is designed as a very engaging piece, with visitors encouraged to interact with the multiple movable screens that show the core footage. 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 when her identity was revealed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for deconstructing unconventional materials to make elaborate, queer-themed sculptures. The show highlights recent pieces based on the theme of same-sex marriage. This continues her longstanding practice of employing reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture of defiance. 27 August–18 January 2027. Taking Back Our Space Study from Marianne Wex's seminal work. Courtesy: Collection Expanding upon the pioneering work of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how genders are conditioned to use physical space differently, this show examines how body language influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s studies included art dating back to ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s explorations are displayed and put into conversation with the work of contemporary diverse artists. 20 September–Spring 2027. And more … Early in the year, the Seattle Art Museum showcases the haunting shadow-based work of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is featuring the work of rising artist an innovative creator. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. In September, the Detroit Institute of Arts presents a collection of the artist's architecture paintings. Simultaneously, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.