As January 2026 unfolds, art enthusiasts across the United States are diving into a month filled with a surge of diverse exhibitions and installations, particularly in major cultural hubs like Los Angeles. This year’s first wave of exhibitions is setting the tone for a vibrant art season, with galleries and museums offering a rich tapestry of cultural expression. These exhibitions are drawing attention to everything from large-scale installations to intimate retrospectives, ensuring that art lovers have a wide range of artistic experiences to enjoy.
Los Angeles, a city known for its eclectic and ever-evolving art scene, is at the forefront of this artistic surge. The Broad museum, with its renowned collection of contemporary art, is showcasing whimsical installations that challenge traditional boundaries and offer interactive experiences for visitors. These immersive pieces engage viewers with their scale, playfulness, and thought-provoking commentary on contemporary life. The museum’s offerings this month reflect a blend of humor and introspection, inviting visitors to explore the intersection of visual culture and personal reflection in a way that is both engaging and transformative.
In addition to the exhibitions at The Broad, the LA Art Show stands out as another major highlight in the city. This year’s show celebrates a global array of artistic voices, highlighting the diverse and ever-expanding landscape of contemporary art. Featuring works from artists around the world, the show includes both established figures and emerging talents. The focus is on inclusivity, with a curated selection of works that span different media, from painting and sculpture to digital art and video installations. Visitors to the show will experience the unique ways in which artists from different backgrounds express their personal narratives and explore themes such as identity, history, and community.
Beyond the traditional museum and gallery settings, public art installations and outdoor pieces are also capturing the imagination of art lovers across the country. These works, often site-specific, aim to integrate more deeply into the urban landscape, engaging with the communities in which they are placed. Whether it’s large-scale murals, sculptures in public squares, or interactive installations that encourage public participation, these outdoor pieces serve to blur the lines between private and public spaces, weaving visual culture into everyday life.
Throughout January, exhibitions across the U.S. reflect a broader range of artistic practices. Many feature multimedia showcases that incorporate various forms of media, blending traditional art forms with newer technologies. Some exhibitions focus on retrospective pieces, looking back at the careers of influential artists and offering insight into the development of their styles and themes. Others focus on themes of community, history, and identity, addressing current social and political issues through the lens of personal expression.
These exhibitions underscore a larger cultural movement to make art more accessible and dynamic for a wide audience. With works that span genres, mediums, and cultural perspectives, art is being presented as something that can be experienced by anyone, anywhere. The themes explored in these works resonate with contemporary concerns, providing a space for reflection and dialogue that reaches far beyond the walls of the gallery.
This explosion of creativity and cultural exploration marks an exciting start to the art scene in 2026. With exhibitions celebrating both global and local perspectives, visitors have the chance to engage with the changing landscape of art, one that is increasingly focused on inclusivity, innovation, and connection. As these exhibitions continue throughout the month, the U.S. art scene will remain a dynamic and ever-evolving space for those eager to explore and experience the transformative power of art.
