Must-See American Gallery Shows Coming in 2026

From old masters and contemporary icons, contemporary greats and even a renowned Latin American director, art museums and institutions throughout the United States are preparing a series of spectacular exhibitions coming up in 2026.

Roy Lichtenstein

Announced all the way back in 2023, and currently merely a placeholder listing at a major museum's website, this major retrospective of one of the central creators of the Pop Art era carries some pretty heavy expectations. The institution plans to utilize its decades-old collection of nearly 500 works from Lichtenstein, in addition to, one would imagine, dozens loans from collections around the world. Dates to be announced 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area sister institutions, one prestigious venue along with another, will be centering the Floating City through two interconnected shows: one location presents a celebration of the city as a source of high art throughout the centuries, and the latter will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet made of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the challenge of depicting Venice – a theme that had inspired the world’s most esteemed artists for hundreds of years – yet he ultimately met the challenge, producing some 37 paintings, among them the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and Spring into Summer.

Sueño Perro: a film installation by Alejandro G Iñárritu

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his massive first feature, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than a million feet of footage that never made it into the released movie, creating an immersive experience that doubles as a homage to celluloid. Accounts suggest the director dug deep into the archives 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 also chronicles. Late Winter through Summer.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

The Guggenheim is dedicating the mixed media sculptor creator a major career survey, starting with her initial pieces and progressing through to a new collection of works made from scrap metal and steel tubing. Drawing from “the 1960s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently takes her materials directly from the city environment, producing fascinating and strange constructions that have been displayed in prestigious venues. Having had significant exhibitions at the MoMA and a Parisian institution, Bove’s three decades of creation are ready for a in-depth overview. Early Spring to Summer.

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

Anyone familiar with a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – this is in fact one of 20 cut-paper works that he paired with text and bound into a book titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, a Midwestern museum exhibits the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus around 50 additional pieces by the artist. The cut paper works were part of a late stage flowering for Matisse. 7 March-1 June.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

The great painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with 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. A premier East Coast institution seeks to change that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is well-known for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. With works from all across Europe and over 200 works total, this is poised as a major event. 29 March–28 June.

Shu Lea Cheang's *Lover Love*: An Interactive Vision

NYC’s Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art will host a major, large-scale video installation by transmedia artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. As with much of her work, Cheang here investigates the daily struggles of trans life. The installation promises to be a highly interactive experience, with audience members invited to interact with the multiple movable screens that display the central film. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye

A Boston contemporary art center showcases recent creations from this artist, who was forced to flee her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for deconstructing unconventional materials to make intricate, LGBTQ+-themed sculptures. This exhibition showcases new work based on the concept of queer weddings. This continues her longstanding practice of employing found items as a meaningful gesture of resistance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space: Body Language and Power

Expanding upon the pioneering work of German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who studied how men and women are socialized to use physical space differently, this exhibition examines how non-verbal communication shapes unspoken interaction. Wex’s research spanned art dating back to 2000 BC. Here, Wex’s findings are displayed and juxtaposed with the work of contemporary Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

Additional Highlights for 2026

In February, the Seattle Art Museum showcases the evocative silhouette art of an emerging artist. Starting 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of rising artist Kwamé Azure Gomez. In the summer months, an Arkansas museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his three-dimensional works. Come fall, the Detroit Institute of Arts presents a collection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architecture paintings. And also in September, an Arizona venue displays the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.