Chicago's cultural institutions are preparing a diverse slate of exhibitions and openings for 2026. Highlights include the Art Institute of Chicago presenting Henri Matisse's complete 'Jazz' book of cutouts for the first time, a survey of Dominican artist Firelei Báez at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the National Museum of Mexican Art exploring the history of Mexican railroad workers, and a costume design exhibition featuring Paul Tazewell's work at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. The year also features the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center and a Barbara Nessim survey at the DePaul Art Museum.
This programming underscores Chicago's position as a major art hub with institutions focusing on historical reevaluation, global contemporary practices, and cultural community narratives. The events range from deep dives into canonical modern art to exhibitions highlighting underrepresented histories and living artists, offering both local engagement and contributions to broader art historical discourse.