art basel qatar wael shawky artistic director 1234747075

Art Basel has appointed artist Wael Shawky as the artistic director of its upcoming fair in Doha, Qatar, scheduled to open in February. This marks a departure from the company's usual practice of selecting directors from the commercial art world. Shawky, who represented Egypt at the Venice Biennale and has had solo exhibitions at Tate Modern and MoMA PS1, will curate around 50 single-artist presentations across two venues, M7 and the Doha Design District, with equal pricing for exhibitors initially. A selection committee including dealers from international and regional galleries will assist in choosing participants.

Collector Dimitris Daskalopoulos’s NEON to Conclude After ‘Having Fulfilled Its Mission’

NEON, the Athens-based contemporary art initiative founded by collector Dimitris Daskalopoulos, will conclude its activities later this year after 14 years. Its final project is a trilogy of exhibitions by artist Michael Rakowitz at the Acropolis Museum, with the last installment set for 2026. The organization also announced it has fulfilled its cultural and social mission.

zohran mamdani mayor new york city art world responds 1234760198

Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election, prompting a wave of reactions from the art world. Artists, curators, and critics expressed hope and joy, with figures like Siddartha Mitter calling it a "beacon of civic renewal," while others like Jerry Saltz offered cautious support. Artists such as Aria Dean, Martine Syms, and Salman Toor were involved in his campaign, and El Museo del Barrio was the only institution to officially endorse him. However, some voices, like the market-oriented account Jerry Gogosian, criticized his socialist policies as potentially harmful to the art market.

jfk international airport terminal six art moma met 1234749449

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, along with JFK Millennium Partners, is investing $4.2 billion to bring art from four major New York cultural institutions—the American Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art—into the new Terminal 6 at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The terminal will feature loaned works from these institutions in the international arrivals corridor, plus 19 permanent site-specific installations curated by Public Art Fund and rotating local artwork curated by Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning. Highlights include a 140-foot mural from Lincoln Center, an installation by Yoko Ono inspired by her 2019 work *Peace is Power* for MoMA, and installations from the other two museums. The terminal is designed by architect Stanis Smith and will include 10 gates, with the first six opening this year and completion by 2028.

A True-to-Life Biennale

Hakim Bishara, editor-in-chief of Hyperallergic, reflects on the 61st Venice Biennale after returning to New York, describing it as historical, political, and thrilling. He counters critics who claimed the Biennale imploded due to boycotts and resignations, arguing it was more alive than ever. The late Koyo Kouoh's main exhibition "In Minor Keys" is praised for reflecting global woes and joys. The article also highlights a major strike by artists and cultural workers that disrupted the pre-opening, the first cultural strike in the Biennale's 131-year history, with 54 artists in the international exhibition and 22 national pavilion teams withdrawing from awards consideration in solidarity with the jury's resignation.

Somali Artists Take Issue With Nation's First-Ever Venice Biennale Pavilion

Somalia's first-ever national pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale has sparked controversy, with local cultural organizations accusing organizers of excluding Somalia-based artists. The pavilion, titled SADDEXLEEY, features only diaspora artists—Somali-Swedish painter Ayan Farfah, Somali-Danish poet Asmaa Jama, and Somali-British poet Warsan Shire—while the Somalia Arts Foundation (SAF) and queer collective Warbixinta Cidda have denounced the appointment of Italian co-curator Fabio Scrivanti, citing colonial tensions. SAF founder Sagal Ali and others allege that artists in Somalia were not meaningfully consulted, and that organizers used intimidation tactics against critics. The pavilion's organizers claim it includes Mogadishu-based painter 4C and will host accompanying events, but details remain unconfirmed.

5 Standout Shows to See at Small Galleries This March

boston midtown hotel ai art warhol 2735290

Boston's Midtown Hotel has sparked outrage after decorating its newly renovated space with AI-generated artwork that mimics Andy Warhol's style to depict local celebrities like David Ortiz and Barbara Walters. Guest Alex Steed publicly criticized the hotel on social media, noting the art's uncanny valley quality and the placard proudly stating the works were entirely created by artificial intelligence. The complaint went viral, drawing thousands of views and comments condemning the hotel for choosing AI over hiring local artists in a city known for its art schools and museums.

joan mitchell foundation 2026 artists in residence 1234770065

The Joan Mitchell Foundation has announced the 31 artists selected for its 2026 residency program at the Joan Mitchell Center in New Orleans. The residencies, lasting six or 14 weeks across three seasons, will host no more than nine artists at a time, beginning February 2. The cohort includes 17 local New Orleans artists and participants from cities such as New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Atlanta, ranging in age from 27 to 75. Notable participants include Edra Soto, who also won a United States Artists Fellowship, and two leaders of New Orleans’s Black Masking Indian tradition, Kelly Pearson Boles and Efrem Z. Boles. The selection was made by a jury of artists, curators, and academics.

stevenson gallery closing johannesburg branch 1234765511

Stevenson Gallery is closing its Johannesburg branch after 17 years, with the last day on December 12. The final exhibition, Tofo Bardi's "Underground: Nothing to Hold," will close early. The gallery's Cape Town and Amsterdam locations will remain open. Founded in Cape Town in 2003 by Michael Stevenson, the Johannesburg outpost opened in 2008 and moved several times before settling in Parktown North in 2019.

Museum acquisitions round-up: a 17ft sculpture by Anselm Kiefer, a $1.7m dinosaur skull, and a 17th-century genre painting

Three major museums have announced significant new acquisitions for their permanent collections. The Israel Museum in Jerusalem received a monumental 2014 sculpture by Anselm Kiefer, titled *Die Erdzeitalter (Ages of the World)*, donated by collector Martin Z. Margulies. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., acquired a $1.7 million Pachycephalosaurus dinosaur skull, donated by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and his wife Wendy. Meanwhile, the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem purchased an early 16th-century genre painting by Maarten van Heemskerck.

The eight hotly awaited art-venue openings we are most looking forward to in 2026

The article previews eight major art-venue openings expected in 2026, including the long-awaited Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, Cardiff's first contemporary art museum (AMOCA), the V&A East Museum in London, the revived Palais de Danse studio of Barbara Hepworth in St Ives, and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles. It also notes the uncertain status of the Museum of West African Art in Benin City amid political disputes. These projects range from vast new museums and subterranean expansions to restored artist studios, many delayed by funding, planning, or construction challenges.

Delhi gets its first ‘gallery district’ in Defence Colony

The Defence Colony neighborhood in Delhi has officially emerged as the city's first dedicated 'gallery district' following a collaborative effort by local art dealers. The initiative, spearheaded by Arjun Butani of Pristine Contemporary and Arjun Sawhney, saw eleven galleries coordinate their schedules to host 'Def Col Art Night' on March 17, 2026. The event featured major openings, including an S.H. Raza retrospective at Akar Prakar and a solo sculpture exhibition by Mayur Gupta at Latitude 28, drawing crowds through a synchronized gallery hop model.

Artist Outraged After His Conservationist Mural in Dallas Is Painted Over to Allow for FIFA Promo

A giant mural by conservationist artist Robert Wyland, titled *Ocean Life* (1999), was painted over in Dallas to make way for a FIFA promotional mural. The piece was number 82 of Wyland's 100 "whaling wall" murals worldwide, covering two sides of the Texas Utilities Building. Crews began painting over the larger 164-by-82-foot section last week, while a smaller panel remains visible. Wyland and the Wyland Foundation have denied giving permission, calling the city's claim a lie. The building's owner, Slate Asset Management, allowed the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee to cover the mural. FIFA plans to unveil a new work by a local artist ahead of the 2026 World Cup, for which Dallas will host nine matches.

prospect new orleans archival book project 1234747026

Prospect New Orleans, the citywide triennial launched in 2007, will not mount a seventh edition in 2027. Instead, the organization will focus on creating a publication titled "20 Years of Prospect," featuring oral histories, critical essays, and archival imagery from its first six editions. The decision, driven by factors including legacy preservation and funding constraints, was characterized by former executive director Nick Stillman as a holistic step back from the demanding three-year cycle to ensure the organization's accomplishments are recognized and organized. Prospect has operated on budgets between $5 million and $6.3 million per cycle and has received NEA grants since 2019.

Puerto Rico’s rainforest center reborn: in pictures

Puerto Rico’s El Yunque National Forest has unveiled the reconstructed El Portal visitor’s center, a $18 million project designed by Marvel Architects to withstand future climate disasters. Following the devastation of Hurricanes Maria and Irma, the new facility features elevated structures, advanced stormwater management, and solar capabilities, serving as both a sustainable tourism hub and an emergency command post.

China’s Tech Capital Wants to Be an Art Hub, Too

Shenzhen, China's major technology hub, is making a concerted push to become a significant player in the art world. The city began 2025 with major announcements from tech giants JD.com and Tencent, which are establishing new art museums in the city, appointing prominent directors Robin Peckham and Pi Li to lead them. This follows years of building cultural infrastructure, including the OCAT museum, the Sea World Culture and Arts Center, and the growth of local art fairs like Art Shenzhen.

New app aims to improve access to Los Angeles art scene

A new mobile app called ArtWrld, founded by Josh Goldblum (CEO of Bluecadet), has launched to improve access to the Los Angeles and New York art scenes. The app provides up-to-date listings of gallery shows, museum exhibitions, talks, and events, allowing users to search by date, view editors' picks, and save shows on Google Maps. It aims to be "the AllTrails for art," making great shows more accessible and providing context for newcomers. Other projects filling the gap in local art coverage include Shana Nys Dambrot's newsletter "13 Things LA" on Substack and the anonymous Instagram account Diva Corp USA, which offers artist-on-artist criticism.

New Flagship Space for SAMoCA Announced As Part of Saudi Vision 2030

The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA) will receive a new flagship space as part of the government-backed Diriyah Company's Saudi Vision 2030 initiative. The museum, financed by a $490 million grant from the Diriyah Company (owned by the Public Investment Fund), will be designed by British architecture firm Godwin Austen Johnson and built by Albawani Company and Hassan Allam Construction – Saudi Arabia. Spanning 77,000 square meters, the project is part of the $63.2 billion Diriyah giga-project aimed at transforming the city into a premier cultural destination.

lincoln center mural kicks off project improve access damrosch park 1234781277

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has unveiled a new large-scale mural titled "The Future We Create" by Spanish artist Vanesa Álvarez and local artist Derval Fairweather. Installed on construction fencing along Amsterdam Avenue, the vibrant public artwork was produced in collaboration with the nonprofit ArtBridge. The design was informed by community workshops involving local residents and students, transforming a temporary urban barrier into a celebratory visual narrative.

Dana Awartani’s art of remembrance in Venice

The article covers multiple art events and opportunities across the Gulf region and beyond. It highlights Saudi artists participating in the exhibition "What’s between, between?" at Doha's Media Majlis Museum, curated by Jack Thomas Taylor and Amal Zeyad Ali, which explores Gulf Futurism. Additionally, it announces a two-part group exhibition "Global Positioning System" opening at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah, featuring over 40 artists from more than 20 countries. The article also reports on an internship opportunity for Saudi architects and designers at Rome's MAXXI Museum, offered by Saudi Arabia’s Misk Art Institute.

Yvette Mayorga & MASS Gallery Announce Open Call for Austin Artists

Chicago-based multidisciplinary artist Yvette Mayorga, in collaboration with Austin’s nonprofit MASS Gallery, has announced an open call for artists living in the Greater Austin area to submit existing works for an exhibition titled *Lost and Found*, scheduled for January 17 through February 14, 2026, at MASS Gallery. The open call is part of the community engagement phase of Mayorga’s major public art project for the new concourse at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA), set to open in 2030. Her project draws on her ancestral ties to the Bracero Program, exploring the emotional resonance of personal objects carried across borders and generations. The exhibition aims to give visibility to local artists while building community around themes of migration, ecology, and the flora and fauna of Texas and Mexico.

First Friday Art Walk showcases student exhibitions

The May First Friday Art Walk in downtown Springfield features student exhibitions from Drury University, Missouri State University, and Ozarks Technical Community College, alongside Route 66-themed shows. Seventeen venues participate in the self-guided tour, with college artists displaying work at four locations, including the Robert & Margaret Carolla Arts Exhibition Center, Brick City Gallery, the Pool Arts Center, and Ozarks Technical Community College's Art and Design Department. The Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit, created by documentary filmmaker Katrina Parks, is on display at the Historic Gillioz Theatre, and photographers Vance Clark and Andrew Mann present their 'Unique Lens' exhibit at the Park Central Branch Library.

jiadu art center, café, and studio form flexible community art network in china

The Jiadu Art Center in Yanjiao, Hebei Province, represents a strategic architectural intervention by MINOR lab to transform existing residential and commercial stock into a community-focused art network. The project reconfigures three distinct spaces—an ancillary structure, a commercial unit, and a residential apartment—into a cohesive system featuring a flexible exhibition hall, a café, and an adaptable artist studio. Utilizing movable walls, modular furniture, and a consistent material palette of strawboard and hot-rolled steel, the design prioritizes spatial fluidity and multi-functional use.

Art exhibition in Daegu shut down over satire of ex-President Yoon

An art exhibition in Daegu, South Korea, was shut down after featuring works by artist Hong Sung-dam that satirize former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The exhibition, titled "Art for the Future: Daegu, Art, Answer the Zeitgeist," was held at the district-run Bongsan Cultural Center and organized by the Daekyung Art Research Institute. Three paintings—"Donghak-uiguk," "Ddong-gwang," and "Pal-gwang"—depicted Yoon in provocative contexts, including nudity and references to political controversies such as the doctors' strike and his wife Kim Keon Hee. On the first day, the center requested removal of the works; after the institute refused, the center required artists to sign a liability pledge. Ultimately, Ryu Kyu Ha, head of Daegu's Jung-gu District Office, ordered the exhibition hall closed, citing regulations against political works. Two other galleries remain open with about 50 works by 19 artists.