Art Institute of Chicago Unveils Early 2026 Exhibitions

The Art Institute of Chicago has announced its exhibition schedule for the first half of 2026, highlighting works that span more than 2,000 years of artistic production, from ancient Korean sculpture to modern and contemporary art.

Among the featured shows is a survey of Carroll Dunham, presenting five decades of his drawings, many of which have never been exhibited publicly. The museum said the exhibition offers “a more holistic look at his career,” tracing his movement between figuration and abstraction.

Another exhibition will spotlight Greek-born multidisciplinary artist Lucas Samaras, drawing from the Art Institute’s collection and recent gifts from the Samaras Estate. The show will include photography, sculpture, and painting that reflect the breadth of his practice.

The museum will also present Henri Matisse’s Jazz in its entirety for the first time since acquiring the work in 1948. Described by the Art Institute as “one of the most important artist books of the 20th century,” the exhibition will be accompanied by more than 50 additional works by Matisse in various media.

A major exhibition of Korean art will feature 140 objects, including 22 works designated as National Treasures or Treasures by the Korean government. The selection spans from a 6th-century gilt bronze Buddhist sculpture to late-20th-century paintings.

Willem de Kooning Drawing will explore the full scope of the artist’s drawing practice for the first time, presenting more than 200 works across seven decades.

Meanwhile, Bruce Goff: Material Worlds will remain on view through March 29, alongside three companion exhibitions examining the American architect’s collections, photography, and domestic designs.

Additional details about the exhibitions are available on the museum’s website.