Unmissable American Gallery Shows Coming in 2026

From Renaissance masters and contemporary icons, contemporary greats alongside a renowned Latin American film-maker, galleries and galleries across the United States are preparing some dazzling shows coming up in 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

Announced all the way back during 2023, now just a placeholder listing at a major museum's online schedule, this expansive survey of a pioneering figures of the Pop Art era comes with some pretty heavy expectations. The institution plans to utilize its long-held holdings of nearly 500 pieces from Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, dozens borrowed works from collections globally. TBD 2026.

Venetian Visions: From Old Masters to Monet

San Francisco partner museums, one prestigious venue along with deYoung, will focus on the Floating City with two interconnected shows: one location will offer a celebration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration for hundreds of years, and the latter will focus on what the Impressionist Claude Monet made of the romantic city of canals. Monet himself felt intimidated by the challenge of depicting Venice – a subject that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually rose to the task, producing approximately 37 paintings, among them the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and 21 March-26 July.

Alejandro G Iñárritu's *Sueño Perro*: A Cinematic Resurrection

Marking the quarter-century of his massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than a million feet of film that was left out into the final cut, crafting an immersive experience that also serves as a love letter to celluloid. Accounts suggest Iñárritu delved into the archives to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of a cherished 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. Late Winter through Summer.

Carol Bove

The Guggenheim is dedicating the mixed media sculptor creator a major career survey, beginning with her early works and moving through to a new series of pieces made from found metal and industrial materials. Drawing from “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove frequently takes her materials directly from the urban landscape, producing fascinating and strange constructions that have been displayed in prestigious venues. With significant exhibitions in Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, her three decades of work are ripe for a thorough overview. Early Spring to Summer.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Those who know the book *The Body Keeps the Score* will be familiar with French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – this is actually one of 20 cut-paper works that he combined with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, Chicago’s Art Institute will display the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition after the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus some 50 additional pieces by the artist. The cut paper works represented a prolific final chapter for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

Italian master painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned titans of the Italian Renaissance – yet he has rarely been honored with a large-scale exhibition on American soil. A premier East Coast institution aims to rectify that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is famous for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring works from throughout 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 presents a major, large-scale video installation by transmedia artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a major figure in digital art. In keeping with much of her work, Cheang here investigates the everyday realities of trans life. Lover Love is designed as a highly interactive piece, with audience members encouraged to play around with the multiple movable screens that display the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston 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 unconventional materials to make intricate, LGBTQ+-themed sculptures. The show highlights recent pieces based on the concept of queer weddings. This continues her ongoing project of using found items 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 studied how genders are conditioned to use physical space differently, this show examines how body language shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s research included art dating back to 2000 BC. In this presentation, Wex’s findings are displayed and juxtaposed with the work of modern Black, queer, and feminist artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

And more …

Early in the year, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative silhouette art of an emerging artist. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is highlighting the work of rising artist an innovative creator. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. In September, the Detroit Institute of Arts presents a selection of the artist's architectural studies. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the colorful work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.