New Freeman’s CEO, Rana Begum Joins Lehmann Maupin, and More: Industry Moves for June 3, 2026

This week's industry moves roundup from ARTnews includes several notable appointments and gallery changes. Makeda Best has been named Chief Curator of Photography at MoMA, coming from the Oakland Museum of California. Dawn Airey was appointed Chair of Arts Council England, the UK's primary public arts funding body. Artist Rana Begum has joined Lehmann Maupin, with her debut at Art Basel in June and a solo show in New York in September. Freeman's appointed Muys Snijders as CEO, an auction and art advisory veteran with over 25 years of experience. Additionally, Experimenter announced the tenth round of grantees for its Generator Cooperative Art Production Fund, and a work by a follower of Hieronymus Bosch sold for $537,000 at Sotheby's, more than ten times its high estimate.

Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter Talks About Making Music for Art Projects and Robot Life as Performance

Thomas Bangalter, one half of the iconic French electronic duo Daft Punk, has been expanding his creative practice into visual art and performance since the group's dissolution in 2021. He has composed music for ballets, collaborated with artist JR and choreographer Damien Jalet on the project Chiroptera, and released a new album, Mirage, made for a ballet with visual artist Kohei Nawa. Bangalter also contributed a sound work to JR's public art installation La Caverne du Pont Neuf in Paris, and will present an installation at Art Basel in Switzerland. He recently played a surprise DJ set at the closing of Centre Pompidou for renovations.

Miami Beach’s Bass Museum of Art hires Philippe Vergne as artistic director and chief curator

The Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach has appointed Philippe Vergne as its inaugural artistic director and chief curator. Vergne joins from the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art in Porto, where he led the institution's expansion with the Álvaro Siza Wing, inaugurated in 2024. He succeeds former chief curator James Voorhies and will work alongside executive director Silvia Karman Cubiñá. The new role was created organically to leverage Vergne's extensive experience with artist commissions and project oversight, including past curatorial work such as co-organizing the 2006 Whitney Biennial and solo exhibitions of artists like Kara Walker, Yves Klein, and Mike Kelley.

Sandra Jackson-Dumont Wants Museums to Survive. Things Have to Change

Sandra Jackson-Dumont, director and CEO of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, discusses her career and vision for transforming museums in an interview for Artnet News's series on women shaping the art industry. She reflects on her roles at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Studio Museum in Harlem, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, emphasizing the need for internal institutional change to address structural inequities around gender, race, pay, and professional growth.

Through Sculpture, Kiah Celeste Finds Elegance in the Everyday

Kiah Celeste, a New York native who trained as a photographer at SUNY Purchase, abandoned photography after graduation and turned to sculpture, drawing inspiration from her experience as an art handler at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Her practice involves "foraging" for discarded materials—such as a marble tub, old CDs, acrylic skylight domes, and bowling balls—which she transforms into works like *Balance Bath* (2019), *Ouroboros* (2025), and the "Dream of Pearl" (2023) series. Celeste has shown in two-person exhibitions at Document Gallery in Chicago and Swivel Gallery in New York, and her sculptures explore tension between abstraction and recognizable objects, Minimalism and Pop, and her own intersecting identities as Black and Jewish, feminine and androgynous.

The Dealers: Rajiv Menon Connects Cultures

This article from Contemporary Art Review LA profiles dealer Rajiv Menon, focusing on his role in connecting cultures through art. The piece, part of the magazine's regular 'The Dealers' series, includes photos and text by Claire Preston and appears in Issue 44 (May 2026), alongside other features on contemporary archives, censorship, and reviews of exhibitions in Los Angeles and beyond.

Serial Museum Leader Philippe Vergne Named Artistic Director of the Bass in Miami Beach

The Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach has appointed Philippe Vergne, a seasoned French curator and museum leader, to the newly created role of artistic director and chief curator, effective October. Vergne, who has led institutions including the Musée d’Art Contemporain in Marseille, the Walker Art Center, the Dia Art Foundation, the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, and most recently the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art in Porto, will organize exhibitions and contribute to the museum's $20.1 million expansion designed by Johnston Marklee. The position was developed over six months of discussions between Vergne, executive director Silvia Cubiña, and the board.

Makeda Best to Lead MoMA’s Photography Department

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York has appointed Makeda Best as its new Joel and Anne Ehrenkranz Chief Curator of Photography, effective September. Best comes from the Oakland Museum of California, where she served as deputy director of curatorial affairs. She succeeds Clément Chéroux, who left in 2022, and takes over from acting chief curator Roxana Marcoci. Best previously held roles at the Harvard Art Museums, including curator of photography and interim head of the Division of Modern and Contemporary Art, where she led the ReFrame reinstallation initiative. She holds a Ph.D. from Harvard and an MFA from CalArts.

The Sun Is Shining on Saif Azzuz

Saif Azzuz, a Bay Area-based artist of Libyan and Yurok descent, is experiencing a surge in his career with multiple exhibitions and projects across the globe. His first solo museum show at the Blaffer Art Museum at the University of Houston, a second solo exhibition at Anthony Meier Fine Arts in Mill Valley, and a temporary outdoor sculpture commission at Storm King Art Center are among his recent achievements. He also has an installation at the Oakland Museum of California, which recently acquired the work, and his first monograph has been published by Sming Sming Books. Azzuz's practice connects Indigenous land practices in California, the Hudson Valley, and beyond, incorporating foraged plant matter and ancestral knowledge.

Kulapat Yantrasast Named Artistic Director of Next Bukhara Biennial

Kulapat Yantrasast, the architect behind major museum projects for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Louvre, has been named artistic director of the 2027 Bukhara Biennial in Uzbekistan. The appointment comes less than a year after the debut edition, which drew an estimated 1.8 million visitors and became a major international art event. Conceived by Gayane Umerova and the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, the next edition will run from September 3 through November 21, 2027. Yantrasast succeeds Diana Campbell, who curated the inaugural edition titled "Recipes for Broken Hearts."

Artist Anne Imhof brings her avant-garde storytelling to London, with added ballet

German visual artist Anne Imhof discusses her multidisciplinary, avant-garde practice ahead of a new London performance incorporating ballet. Known for relinquishing control and allowing audiences to shape their own experience, Imhof works across performance, sculpture, music, painting, and installation. Her career highlights include winning the Golden Lion for Best National Participation at the 2017 Venice Biennale for 'Faust', the immersive 'Sex' at Tate Modern in 2019, and 'Natures Mortes' at Palais de Tokyo in 2021. She describes her collaborative process, early experiments in Frankfurt, and the importance of instinct and the audience's energy in her work.

Announcing the 2026 McKnight Visual Artist Fellows

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), on behalf of the McKnight Foundation, has announced the six recipients of the 2026 McKnight Fellowships for Visual Artists: Torey Erin, Isa Gagarin, Jay Heikes, Prima Jalichandra-Sakuntabhai, Jovan C. Speller, and Erinn Springer. Each mid-career Minnesota artist will receive a $25,000 stipend, professional development, public recognition, and a residency facilitated by the Artist Communities Alliance. The fellows were selected from 164 applicants by a national panel of jurors including Laura Mott, Michael Rooks, and Edra Soto.

Story of Francis Valentine Dudensing, the gallerist who brought European Avant-Garde to the United States in the early 1900s

Storia di Francis Valentine Dudensing, il gallerista che nel primo ‘900 portò l’Avanguardia Europea negli Stati Uniti

Francis Valentine Dudensing (1892-1967) was a New York gallerist who, between 1926 and 1947, played a pivotal role in introducing European modernism to the United States through his Valentine Gallery on 57th Street. He organized the first U.S. solo exhibitions of Giorgio de Chirico, Joan Miró, and Raoul Dufy, the first American retrospective of Henri Matisse in 1927, and the only solo show of Piet Mondrian during his lifetime in 1942. In May 1939, he presented Picasso's Guernica to the New York public for the first time. His gallery became a direct bridge between Paris and New York, supported by a network including Pierre Matisse, Paul Rosenberg, and Paul Guillaume.

ALFREDO JAAR INDUCTED INTO THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

Galerie Lelong, New York has announced that artist Alfredo Jaar has been inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, formally joining the Department of Art at a ceremony on May 20, 2026. Jaar, born in Santiago, Chile in 1956, is recognized for his innovative work across photography, film, installation, and new media, examining socio-political issues and the ethics of representation over more than four decades.

Francesco Stocchi is no longer the artistic director of the MAXXI Museum in Rome. After 3 years, his mandate was not renewed

Francesco Stocchi non è più il direttore artistico del Museo MAXXI di Roma. Dopo 3 anni non rinnovato il mandato

Francesco Stocchi's mandate as artistic director of the MAXXI museum in Rome will end in June 2026, after a three-year term that began on June 28, 2023. The decision was reached by mutual agreement between Stocchi and the Fondazione MAXXI, marking the conclusion of a tenure that followed Hou Hanru's leadership. During his time at MAXXI, Stocchi focused on the museum's social role, strengthening its identity and opening new research perspectives. He will continue to oversee some ongoing projects, including a Gordon Matta-Clark retrospective scheduled for November 13. Stocchi, born in Rome in 1975, is a prominent figure in Italian contemporary art, having previously held curatorial roles at the Fondazione Carriero in Milan and the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, where he served as curator of modern and contemporary art from 2012 to 2023. He also curated the Swiss Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale with Latifa Echakhch and Alexander Babel.

È Vincenzo Trione il nuovo presidente della Triennale Milano: le prime dichiarazioni

Vincenzo Trione has been appointed as the new president of Triennale Milano, succeeding Stefano Boeri after eight years. The appointment, finalized after months of speculation, reflects a political balance between Italy's Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli and Milan's mayor Giuseppe Sala. Trione, a professor at IULM University and former curator of the Italy Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, will lead the foundation for a new term, with architect and designer Michele De Lucchi potentially taking on an artistic director role, though this remains unconfirmed.

La Biennale di Taipei nel 2027 avrà una curatrice italiana: nominata Cecilia Alemani

The Taipei Biennial has appointed Italian curator Cecilia Alemani to direct its 15th edition in 2027, as announced by the Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM). Alemani, currently director and chief curator of High Line Art in New York, will bring her expertise in intertwining historical research, social issues, and alternative imaginaries to her first curatorial project in Asia. She previously achieved international acclaim as artistic director of the 59th Venice Biennale in 2022, where her exhibition "The Milk of Dreams" featured 213 artists from 58 countries.

Emmanuel Kasarhérou, président du musée du quai Branly : « Nous tentons d’être des observateurs attentifs et respectueux des évolutions du monde »

Emmanuel Kasarhérou, president of the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, reflects on the museum's 20th anniversary in June 2026. He discusses the institution's founding vision to move beyond traditional ethnographic museums, its iconic architecture by Jean Nouvel, and the evolution of its relationship with the Louvre's Pavillon des Sessions, which became the Galerie des Cinq Continents. Kasarhérou also addresses geopolitical changes, the destruction of cultural heritage, and the museum's efforts to build international partnerships, particularly with countries of origin for its collections, such as Mali.

Kimbell Art Museum: Meet the New Chief Curator

Emerson Bowyer has been appointed as the new chief curator of the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. Bowyer, an expert in 18th- and 19th-century British and French art, previously held positions at the Art Institute of Chicago, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, and The Frick Collection. He is known for organizing ambitious exhibitions such as "David d’Angers: Making the Modern Monument" (2013), "Canova: Sketching in Clay" (2023–24), and "Camille Claudel" (2023–24), the latter being the first American retrospective of the artist in over 30 years. Bowyer also acquired significant works for the Art Institute of Chicago, including a portrait bust by Claudel and a pre-Raphaelite painting from Andrew Lloyd Webber's collection.

Marlene A. Schenk wird neue Direktorin von Rebecca Horns Stiftung

Marlene A. Schenk has been appointed as the new director of the Moontower Foundation, the organization managing the estate of the late German artist Rebecca Horn (1944–2024). She will take up the position on June 1, 2026, overseeing the strategic and programmatic development of the foundation, which is based in Bad König, Hesse. Schenk previously served as artistic director of the Kunstverein Friedrichshafen, where she curated programs at the intersection of place, collectivity, and institutional practice, and led the digital processing of the archive. She is also a co-founder of the independent exhibition space FKA Six in Berlin and has worked at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt.

Cecilia Alemani to curate 2027 Taipei Biennial

Cecilia Alemani, currently the director and chief curator of High Line Art in New York, has been appointed as the curator of the 2027 Taipei Biennial. The announcement was made by the Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM). Alemani, who was born in Milan and is based in New York, has previously curated major exhibitions including the 59th Venice Biennale in 2022 and the 12th SITE Santa Fe International in 2025.

Tone Hansen appointed director of Moderna Museet

Tone Hansen has been appointed chief superintendent and director of Moderna Museet in Stockholm and Malmö, as announced by the Swedish Ministry of Culture. She will assume the role in September, succeeding Gitte Ørskou, who led the institution for seven years. Hansen previously served as director of MUNCH in Oslo since 2022 and before that directed the Henie Onstad Art Center, also in Oslo.

L'invité de La Tribune de l'Art n° 31 : Pierre Curie

Pierre Curie, conservateur général du patrimoine et directeur du Musée Jacquemart-André, est l'invité du 31e numéro de La Tribune de l'Art. Il y évoque sa riche carrière dans les musées et le domaine du patrimoine, notamment son passage de quatre ans au Petit Palais, son rôle actuel à la tête du Musée Jacquemart-André (qu'il dirigera encore un an avant de prendre sa retraite), ainsi que son expertise en restauration acquise au C2RMF, le Centre de restauration et de recherche des musées de France, où il a été en charge des peintures.

A new laureate for the Prix Reiffers

Une nouvelle lauréate pour le prix Reiffers

The Prix Reiffers Initiatives, now in its fifth edition, has awarded its main prize to Slovak-born artist Stanislava Kovalcikova (b. 1988), recognized for her boundary-crossing visual language. A special mention was also given to Palestinian artist Khaled Jarada (b. 1996), whose work explores themes of rootedness and displacement. The announcement was published in the June 2026 issue of L'ŒIL magazine.

“La responsabilità del futuro è nelle mani di tutti”. Il mercato dell’arte secondo il gallerista Massimo De Carlo

Massimo De Carlo, the renowned Italian gallerist, discusses the current state of the art market in an interview with Artribune. He reflects on the recent announcement by mega-gallery Pace to cut 50 artists and 50 employees, interpreting this as a sign that even major players are seeking new sustainability strategies amid market unpredictability. De Carlo describes the gallerist as a 'seismograph' who must register and interpret the spirit of the times through artists' voices, and notes a widespread impatience with the hierarchies and rules that have structured the art world for the past thirty years.

The artist-poet who publishes a book with her verses (and chooses to do it on Amazon)

L’artista-poeta che pubblica un libro con i suoi versi (e sceglie di farlo su Amazon)

Italian visual artist Reverie, known for her radical and disturbing performance art, has published a new book of poetry titled "Poesia Malata" on Amazon. The poems were written during her second hospitalization in a psychiatric ward and from June 2025 onward, when she returned to Milan. The book is part of a larger project that includes a solo exhibition titled "Amare non mi sazia" opening September 17, 2026 at C+N Gallery CANEPANERI in Milan, with a critical text by Milovan Farronato, and a performance called "Mangiata viva" on September 15, 2026 at Salone 14 Yellowsquare in Milan. The performance will incorporate stand-up comedy to address themes of hunger, love, mental health, sexual abuse, and body image.

Q&A: Inside Western’s art gallery with new director Kelly Linder

Kelly Linder has been appointed as the new director of Western Washington University's campus art gallery, starting in January. She has already contributed to the Department of Art & Art History Bachelor of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition and the faculty show, drawing on her extensive experience at university galleries at Chico State and Sacramento State, as well as commercial galleries in Santa Fe, New York, and San Francisco. Linder also ran her own alternative space called 'The Living Room' in San Francisco.

STEPHANIE GARCÍA ALBÁN: “AUTONOMY IS NOT A PRIVILEGE OF THE DIRECTOR; IT IS A NECESSARY CONDITION FOR THE MUSEUM TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY”

STEPHANIE GARCÍA ALBÁN: “LA AUTONOMÍA NO ES UN PRIVILEGIO DE LA DIRECCIÓN; ES UNA CONDICIÓN NECESARIA PARA QUE EL MUSEO PUEDA SERVIR A LA COMUNIDAD”

Stephanie García Albán, director of the Museo Antropológico y de Arte Contemporáneo (MAAC) in Guayaquil, Ecuador, is interviewed as part of a series on the challenges facing contemporary museums in Latin America. She argues that institutional autonomy is essential for museums to serve their communities, and discusses the pressures of political, economic, and social crises, the need for critical thinking, and the importance of accessibility and belonging. The interview is part of a broader series reflecting on representation, sustainability, and the public role of museums.

Atelier 4 Adds Museum Veteran Heather Haldeman to Strengthen Institutional Services

Atelier 4, a fine art logistics provider, has appointed Heather Haldeman as Senior Client Advisor. Haldeman brings over 25 years of experience, most recently as Senior Registrar of Exhibitions at the Denver Art Museum, where she oversaw loans, traveling exhibitions, and international relationships. She will work with museum clients, registrars, and exhibition teams to support traveling exhibitions, institutional loans, and specialized art logistics.

Jonathan Maurer Joins Norton Museum of Art Board of Trustees

Jonathan Maurer has joined the Board of Trustees of the Norton Museum of Art, as announced by BroadwayWorld. His appointment adds a new member to the museum's governing body.