January is shaping up to be one of the most exciting months for Los Angeles art exhibitions in recent memory. Across the city, major museums and contemporary galleries are ushering in the new year. From immersive installations to long‑anticipated museum exhibitions, there is something for everyone. From pop‑culture icons to experimental audiovisual experiences, these exhibitions offer the perfect excuse to start 2026 inspired.
Below are some of the most compelling exhibits opening and running through January and early 2026.
Los Angeles Art Exhibitions at the Grammy Museum: “Selena: From Texas to the World”
The Grammy Museum launches one of the most emotionally resonant Los Angeles art exhibitions of the season with Selena: From Texas to the World. Co‑curated by Selena’s sister Suzette Quintanilla, the exhibition explores the singer’s artistry, personal style, and lasting cultural impact. Visitors can view her Grammy Award, stage‑worn fashion sketches, handwritten designs, and even her lipstick‑marked microphone, many displayed publicly for the first time outside Texas.
This deeply personal exhibition positions Selena not only as a global music figure but as a lasting symbol of empowerment.
Immersive Downtown: “What a Wonderful World: An Audiovisual Poem”
Transforming six floors of the historic Variety Arts Theater, this immersive Los Angeles art exhibition blurs the boundary between visual art and cinema. Drawing from the Julia Stoschek Foundation’s renowned time‑based media collection, the show juxtaposes contemporary video works by Marina Abramović, Arthur Jafa, and Doug Aitken with early cinematic experiments from Walt Disney and Georges Méliès.
The result is a sweeping sensory experience that makes this one of the most ambitious exhibits of early 2026, particularly for fans of experimental and large‑scale installation art.
Community‑Driven Los Angeles Art Exhibitions at Marta Gallery
At Marta Gallery, a special January exhibition marks the one‑year anniversary of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Designers and artists have created furniture and sculptural works from reclaimed Altadena wood, transforming remnants of destruction into pieces centered on resilience and remembrance.
Major Los Angeles Art Exhibitions Opening Soon
While January brings strong openings, several highly anticipated art exhibits set to debut in early 2026 are already generating buzz:
The USC Pacific Asia Museum will unveil Mythical Creatures: The Stories We Carry. The exhibit is an immersive exhibition using mythology to explore the immigrant experience. 
The Academy Museum begins its year with Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo, featuring original animation materials and interactive environments. LACMA’s Fútbol Is Life will present whimsical sculptural tributes to soccer. Likewise, this is in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup. Of course, this exhibit reinforces how Los Angeles art exhibitions reflect both global culture and local identity.
Why January Is the Perfect Time to Explore Art in the City
With cooler weather, January is one of the best times to dive into Los Angeles art exhibitions. Whichever your preference, the city’s creative institutions are setting a powerful tone for the year ahead. January 2026 offers a citywide invitation to explore, reflect, and reimagine.