Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund marks first decade

The Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund has announced support for 15 new exhibitions as it celebrates its tenth anniversary. This grant initiative provides regional and smaller UK museums with the necessary funding to cover logistical costs—such as insurance, transport, and security—required to borrow major works from national collections. Notable upcoming projects for 2026 include the return of John Constable’s 'The Hay Wain' to Suffolk and Joseph Wright of Derby’s 'An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump' to the artist's hometown for the first time in eight decades.

Cultural Cities at the Heart of New Municipal Conquests

Villes culturelles, au cœur des nouvelles conquêtes municipales

Municipal elections across France have resulted in a wave of new and re-elected mayors, many of whom campaigned on strong cultural platforms. Key victories include Emmanuel Grégoire in Paris, Catherine Trautmann in Strasbourg, Grégory Doucet in Lyon, Yann Galut in Bourges, and Arnaud Deslandes in Lille, each outlining specific cultural visions ranging from continuity and private-public partnerships to fostering urban and street culture.

Fellowship Open Call – Shaping Africa’s Curatorial Futures

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) have launched an open call for their fully funded 2027 Museum Fellowship Programme. The year-long initiative offers emerging African art professionals a combination of practical museum training and postgraduate academic study, aiming to develop the next generation of curators, researchers, and arts professionals on the continent.

Lights, Funding, Action – Film Grant Open Call

The Sharjah Art Foundation has launched the ninth cycle of its Short Film Production Grant 2026, issuing an open call for applications from filmmakers worldwide. The grant provides financial support, with a total fund of AED 120,000 (approx. USD 30,000), for the completion of short films of 50 minutes or less across all genres. Selected projects may also premiere at a future edition of the Sharjah Film Platform festival.

Midea Group scion’s Shunde art museum shifts focus to amplify local voices

The He Art Museum (HEM) in Shunde, China, a private institution founded by the family behind appliance giant Midea Group, is shifting its programming strategy. Under director Shao Shu, the museum is moving away from hosting major international exhibitions to focus on amplifying local and regional artists, particularly from the Greater Bay Area, and exploring themes of Lingnan culture.

Grants from the Kordelin Foundation’s Rauma Fund for 2026 Awarded – Emphasis on Local Roots and New Experiments

Grants from the Kordelin Foundation’s Rauma Fund for 2026 Awarded – Emphasis on Local Roots and New Experiments

The Alfred Kordelin Foundation’s Rauma Fund has awarded €30,000 in cultural grants for 2026, distributed equally among three recipients. The funding supports puppet theatre artist Aati Hanikka for an experimental underwater performance, Rauman Konserttiyhdistys ry for an immersive musical storytelling project in Old Rauma, and Tarvonsaari Art House for a series of pilot exhibitions.