Must-See American Art Exhibitions Arriving in 2026
From Renaissance masters to pop artists, contemporary greats and even a renowned Latin American director, galleries and institutions across the US have a series of dazzling exhibitions on the horizon in 2026.
The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein
First revealed all the way back during 2023, and currently just a mostly empty page on The Whitney’s online schedule, this expansive survey of a pioneering figures of the Pop Art era carries significant expectations. The institution plans to utilize its long-held holdings of close to 500 works by Lichtenstein, as well as, presumably, numerous loans from institutions around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.
Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice
San Francisco sister institutions, one prestigious venue and another, will be centering Venice with two linked exhibitions: the former museum will offer a exploration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, and the latter will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. The artist was daunted by the prospect of depicting Venice – a theme that had captivated the most revered artists for centuries – but he eventually rose to the task, creating some 37 canvases, including the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.
Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu
Celebrating the quarter-century of his massive debut film, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits over 1m ft of film that was left out of the released movie, creating an art installation that doubles as a homage to celluloid. Reportedly the director delved 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 installation will instil a sense of optimism that runs through Iñárritu’s film in spite of the pain he also chronicles. 22 February-26 July.
Carol Bove
A major New York museum is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculpture and installation creator a comprehensive retrospective, starting with her initial pieces and progressing through to a fresh series of works fashioned from scrap metal and steel tubing. Drawing from “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove often sources her components straight from the urban landscape, creating fascinating and strange constructions that have appeared in prestigious venues. With major shows in Museum of Modern Art and a Parisian institution, Bove’s thirty years of work are ripe for a thorough survey. Early Spring to Summer.
Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color
Anyone familiar with the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – this is in fact one of 20 paper compositions that he combined with text and published as a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, a Midwestern museum exhibits all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – the first such showing since the museum acquired the works in 1948 – as well as some 50 of Matisse’s other works. The cut paper works represented 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 celebrated masters of the Italian Renaissance – but he has seldom been honored with a large-scale exhibition on US soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum 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 all across Europe and over 200 works in all, this promises to be a major event. Late March through June.
Shu Lea Cheang's *Lover Love*: An Interactive Vision
A New York queer art museum presents a major, large-scale video installation by Taiwanese-American artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. As with much of her work, Cheang in this piece explores the daily struggles of transgender existence. Lover Love is designed as a very engaging piece, with audience members encouraged to play around with the four moveable screens that show the core footage. 2 April–January 2027.
Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance
The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases recent creations 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 recognized for deconstructing unconventional materials to make intricate, LGBTQ+-themed sculptures. The show showcases recent pieces based on the theme of same-sex marriage. It extends her ongoing project of employing reclaimed materials as a symbolic act of defiance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.
Taking Back Our Space
Expanding upon the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how genders are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this show investigates how non-verbal communication influences unspoken interaction. Wex’s research spanned art as old as ancient sculptures. In this presentation, Wex’s explorations are both exhibited and juxtaposed with the work of contemporary diverse artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.
And more …
Early in the year, a Pacific Northwest institution showcases the evocative silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, an art gallery is featuring the work of up and coming artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. During the summer, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits iconic pop artist Keith Haring with a show of his three-dimensional works. In September, the Detroit Institute of Arts presents a collection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architectural studies. Simultaneously, an Arizona venue exhibits the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.
