A preview of ten major art exhibitions opening across the United States in 2026, curated by art historian Emily Snow. Highlights include 'Frida: The Making of an Icon' at the Museum of Fine Art in Houston, a Mary Cassatt centenary show at the National Gallery of Art, a focused presentation of Matisse's 'Jazz' at the Art Institute of Chicago, the 82nd Whitney Biennial, and the first comprehensive Raphael exhibition ever staged in the U.S. at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Other featured shows include 'America 250: Common Threads' at Crystal Bridges Museum and 'Manet & Morisot' at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
This roundup matters because it provides a curated guide to the most anticipated museum exhibitions of the year, offering readers a snapshot of current curatorial priorities—from reexamining canonical figures like Frida Kahlo and Raphael through new lenses to celebrating overlooked artists such as Mary Cassatt and Berthe Morisot. The list also reflects broader cultural conversations, including the U.S. semiquincentennial and the ongoing relevance of the Whitney Biennial as a barometer of contemporary American art.