Inside Richie Shazam’s Debut Solo Show in Texas

Multidisciplinary artist Richie Shazam has launched her debut solo exhibition, "I Was Never Meant to Survive This," at the McLennon Pen Co. gallery in Austin, Texas. The show features 39 new works that blend photography, sculpture, and set design, utilizing found objects, hair, and flowers alongside Shazam’s own body as a primary subject. The collection represents a deeply personal exploration of her Guyanese heritage, trans identity, and the community that has supported her journey from New York City to the international stage.

New York's New Museum Unveils $82 Million Expansion

The New Museum in Manhattan has officially unveiled its $82 million expansion, a transformative project designed by architects Rem Koolhaas and Shohei Shigematsu. The renovation has doubled the institution's footprint, adding three levels of gallery space and a new 'public spine' featuring an atrium staircase. To mark the reopening, the museum launched 'New Humans: Memories of the Future,' a massive 732-object survey curated by Massimiliano Gioni that explores the intersection of art, visual culture, and emerging technologies like AI.

Two new exhibitions debut today at St. Pete’s MFA

The Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg has launched two major exhibitions: a career-spanning survey of Iranian-born artist Ali Banisadr and a site-specific installation by Ward Shelley and Douglas Paulson. Banisadr’s exhibition, "The Alchemist," features nearly 20 years of work including large-scale paintings that blend abstraction with intricate, emerging figures. Accompanying this is "The Last Library IV: Written in Water," a life-sized library constructed from corrugated cardboard that explores the fragility of the written word and the impact of censorship and AI on language.

Local artists take over two SF neighborhoods

The San Francisco neighborhoods of the Marina and West Portal are set to host "The Art of Place," a three-month exhibition featuring 24 local artists. Organized by Ingleside Gallery founder Shrey Purohit in partnership with the BarbCo real estate group, the fair will showcase cityscapes, sculptures, and photography across two commercial offices starting April 17. The initiative aims to integrate art into everyday community spaces, featuring works by artists like Sarah Horowitz and Rhonel Roberts that capture the unique geometry and secret views of the city.

Women animation pioneers featured this summer in new Muskegon Museum exhibition

The Muskegon Museum of Art is set to premiere a landmark exhibition titled “HerStory of Animation: Mary Blair & Beyond,” running from June 6, 2025, through September 27, 2026. Curated by animation historian Mindy Johnson, the show features production artwork, rare films, and studio artifacts from over a century of female contributions to the field. Highlights include works by early pioneers like Helena Smith Dayton and Bessie Mae Kelley, alongside modern icons such as Mary Blair and Oscar-winner Brenda Chapman.

Activist glues herself to museum display case

Aktivistin klebt sich an Museumsvitrine

A protester from the activist group Neue Generation glued herself to a display case in the Coin Cabinet of the Bode-Museum on Berlin's Museum Island. Dressed as Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche, the activist targeted the museum to protest the minister's perceived lack of independence from corporate interests. Police were called to the scene to remove the woman, and the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation confirmed that while the glass case was targeted, no historical artifacts were damaged.

In Shanghai, a spectacular spiral opera house designed by Snøhetta is revealed

À Shanghai, un spectaculaire opéra en spirale conçu par l’agence Snøhetta se dévoile

The Shanghai Grand Opera House, a massive 147,000-square-meter cultural landmark designed by the Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, has reached structural completion in the Houtan district. Inspired by the form of a traditional Chinese fan, the building features a dramatic white helical roof that doubles as a public walkway, connecting the urban landscape to the waterfront. The interior, which includes a 2,000-seat main hall and various modular spaces, is currently being finalized ahead of a scheduled opening in the second half of 2026.

Outsourcing a service is not prohibited, but managing the provider's employees is

Externaliser un service n’est pas interdit, diriger les salariés du prestataire l’est

A wave of legal complaints has been filed against several major French cultural institutions, including the Louvre, the Pinault Collection, and the MuCEM, alleging illegal labor practices. Labor unions Sud-Culture, SUD-PTT, and Solidaires claim these museums are engaging in "illicit lending of labor" and "bargaining" by exercising direct authority over outsourced staff from third-party agencies like Marianne International and Pénélope. While outsourcing services like ticketing and reception is legal in France, the lawsuits argue that museums are illegally managing these external employees' daily schedules, rotations, and disciplinary actions as if they were their own staff.

Becoming Midwest: Mother and daughter artist pair mount museum collaboration

Watercolor artist Judy Thompson and her daughter, poet Kristin Gifford, have launched a collaborative exhibition titled “Becoming Midwest: Life Between” at the Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center in Sioux Falls. The show features 27 artworks and 12 poems that explore shared themes of motherhood, the natural landscape of the Great Plains, and the complexities of regional identity. The project marks the first formal partnership between the pair, blending Thompson’s established watercolor practice with Gifford’s contemporary poetry.

Knox items feature in refreshed art gallery

The National Art Gallery at the Manx Museum in Douglas has officially reopened following a year-long hiatus, debuting a refreshed layout and new acquisitions. The updated space features a dedicated section for the celebrated Art Nouveau designer Archibald Knox, highlighted by two newly donated pieces: a rare modernist inkwell and an opal pendant. These items were gifted to the national collection in memory of Martin Moore MBE, the former chairman of the trustees for Manx National Heritage.

Dr Kurt A. Gitter, Japanese Art Collector, 89

Dr. Kurt A. Gitter, a pioneering retinal surgeon and world-renowned collector of Japanese art, has passed away at the age of 89 in New Orleans. Born in Vienna and having escaped the Holocaust as an infant, Gitter discovered his passion for Japanese culture while serving as a U.S. Air Force flight surgeon in the 1960s. Over several decades, he and his wife Alice Yelen Gitter amassed one of the most significant private collections of Edo-period paintings and self-taught American art in the Western world.

From Mallorca to St. Moritz, Art Fairs Are Meeting Collectors Where They Vacation

A new wave of high-end art fairs is targeting luxury vacation destinations like St. Moritz, Mallorca, and the Hamptons, moving beyond traditional market hubs. These events, such as the inaugural St. Moritz Art Week and Art on the Island in Mallorca, are strategically timed for the summer and winter holiday seasons to directly engage wealthy collectors during their leisure time.

A young artist has designed exhaust pipes to be played like trumpets: A traveling concert in Milan

Un giovane artista ha progettato delle marmitte da suonare come trombe. A Milano il concerto itinerante

Emerging artist Aronne Pleuteri will debut a mobile performance titled "Mototrombe!" during Milan Art Week on April 17, 2026. The event features a parade of sound sculptures crafted from salvaged automotive exhaust pipes, which have been welded and reconfigured into hybrid instruments. Led by composer Dario Buccino, the procession will travel from Milan’s Central Station to the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, where the sculptures will remain on display through April 26.

In China, the Margiela Show is Staged Inside a Series of Containers

In Cina la sfilata di Margiela è allestita dentro una serie di container

Maison Margiela has launched a major traveling exhibition in China titled "Artisanal: Our Creative Laboratory," debuting in Shanghai before moving to Chengdu. Designed by OMA/AMO, the open-air showcase features over forty couture creations from the Artisanal line dating back to 1989, uniquely displayed within weathered shipping containers. The project aims to demystify the fashion house's secretive creative process, highlighting the techniques of deconstruction and manipulation that define the brand's aesthetic.

Bologna Prepares for the Major Children's Publishing Festival: The Director Speaks

Bologna si prepara al grande festival di editoria per l’infanzia. Parla la direttrice

The Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) has announced the details for its 63rd edition, scheduled to take place from April 13 to 16, 2026, at BolognaFiere. This upcoming iteration will feature Norway as the Guest of Honor under the theme "What if?" and will host 1,500 exhibitors from 90 countries. The fair continues to evolve beyond traditional publishing, integrating transmedia narratives, licensing, and discussions on artificial intelligence alongside major anniversaries for figures like Carlo Collodi, Agatha Christie, and Mitsumasa Anno.

Toulouse is the European capital of space travel (and knows how to celebrate it)

Tolosa è la capitale europea dei viaggi nello spazio (e sa come celebrarli)

Toulouse has solidified its status as Europe’s aerospace capital, blending industrial prowess with cultural engagement. The city, home to the Airbus headquarters and the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), celebrates the legacy of flight from Clément Ader’s 1890 steam-powered takeoff to modern satellite technology. Key institutions like the Cité de l’espace and the Envol des Pionniers museum offer immersive experiences, including flight simulators, real-scale rocket replicas, and exhibitions on the history of Air France.

What You Shouldn't Miss at Art Düsseldorf

Das sollten Sie auf der Art Düsseldorf nicht verpassen

The eighth edition of Art Düsseldorf is set to launch at the Areal Böhler with its most diverse lineup to date, featuring 119 galleries. This year's iteration marks a significant organizational shift with the appointment of Gilles Neiens as the fair's first Artistic Director, a role created to oversee the event's curatorial and programmatic direction. The fair continues to balance its strong regional roots in the Rhineland with an increasingly international selection of painting, sculpture, and experimental works.

The Most Important Thing is That Art Remains Accessible

"Das Wichtigste ist, dass die Kunst zugänglich bleibt"

Gilles Neiens has been appointed as the first-ever artistic director of Art Düsseldorf, marking a strategic shift for the eight-year-old regional art fair. In his new role, Neiens aims to elevate the fair's profile by focusing on high-quality curation, thematic depth, and fostering closer collaborative relationships with participating galleries. This structural change signals a move away from purely organizational management toward a more distinct, content-driven identity.

Unlearning Optimization – with Heike Geißler

Optimierung verlernen – mit Heike Geißler

Award-winning author Heike Geißler discusses the necessity of resisting constant self-optimization and embracing despair as a response to modern labor conditions. Drawing from her experiences working in an Amazon warehouse, which inspired her book "Saisonarbeit," Geißler argues that the pressure to perform often leads to a "culture of contempt" and that acknowledging systemic failures is a vital form of resistance.

Echo of Dreams: Symbolism in Brussels

Écho des songes. Le Symbolisme à Bruxelles

The Maison Hannon in Saint-Gilles, Brussels, has opened a major exhibition titled "Écho des songes" dedicated to Belgian Symbolism. Following an extensive restoration that removed scaffolding from its 1904 Art Nouveau facade, the historic residence designed by Jules Brunfaut is now fully accessible to the public. The show utilizes the building's restored interiors, including its famous staircase hall and Paul Baudoüin frescoes, to provide a contextual backdrop for the Symbolist movement.

MAFOLOFOLO: Sonic Cartographies of Return

The South African artist collective MADEYOULOOK has unveiled 'Mafolofolo' at Hangar – Centro de Investigação Artística in Lisbon. Curated by Margarida Mendes, the installation utilizes sound, oral histories, and liberation songs to map the complex relationships between land, memory, and dispossession in northern South Africa. The work, which originally debuted at documenta fifteen, has been reconfigured for this specific research-driven setting to explore themes of extraction and survival.

One of the fairs during Milan Art Week will be open until midnight (and you can even have dinner there)

Una delle fiere in corso a Milano durante questa Art Week sarà visitabile fino a mezzanotte (e ci puoi anche cenare)

MEGA Art Fair has announced an unconventional schedule for its third edition during Milan Art Week 2026, extending its opening hours until midnight. Located in the former Esperis perfume factory known as PROFUMO, the fair will occupy over 3,000 square meters of industrial space. The event features a multidisciplinary public program and a unique "sensory dinner" titled The Perfume Table, which translates the olfactory structure of perfumes into a gastronomic experience set among artworks.

Kazuhito Kawai & Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka "Tsuitayo: Becoming by Making" @ KOTARO NUKAGA (Roppongi)

川井雄仁&アレクサ・クミコ・ハタナカ「ついたよ：Becoming by Making」@ KOTARO NUKAGA（六本木）

Artists Kazuhito Kawai and Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka are presenting a joint exhibition titled "Tsuitayo: Becoming by Making" at KOTARO NUKAGA in Roppongi, Tokyo. Running from March 14 to April 10, 2026, the show features Kawai’s expressive ceramic sculptures alongside Hatanaka’s textile-based works, including her signature "Noren" and "Tabi" pieces. The exhibition highlights a dialogue between Kawai’s tactile, often grotesque ceramic forms and Hatanaka’s exploration of heritage and craft through traditional Japanese materials.

Berthoud’s fine art gallery displays community creativity

Homestead Fine Art Gallery in downtown Berthoud has established itself as a vital community hub, currently representing 23 local artists from Northern Colorado. The gallery recently hosted its third annual student art show, featuring works from Berthoud High School students and concluding with a public awards reception. Managed by volunteer Executive Director Jim Fronapfel, the space operates on a cooperative model where artists juried into the gallery rent space and contribute volunteer hours to maintain operations.

Inside a Black Panther Family Album

Scholar Leigh Raiford examines the personal family archives of Black Panther Party leaders Kathleen and Eldridge Cleaver, specifically focusing on photographs taken during their period of exile in the 1970s. The analysis centers on how domestic objects, such as a zebra-print carver chair and various African artifacts, transitioned from private household items to iconic symbols of Black Power and cultural nationalism in the public sphere.

Long-Lost Skeleton of D’Artagnan, the Fourth Musketeer, Discovered in Dutch Church

Archaeologists have discovered skeletal remains beneath the floor of St. Peter and Paul Church in Maastricht, Netherlands, which are believed to be those of the 17th-century French soldier Charles de Batz de Castelmore, the historical figure who inspired the literary character D'Artagnan. The discovery was made during repair work, and artifacts found nearby—including a French coin and musket ball fragments—align with the historical record of D'Artagnan's death during the 1673 siege of Maastricht.

‘All about the history’: Marshall’s Michelson Museum of Art opens newest exhibit to public

The Michelson Museum of Art in Marshall, Texas, has launched "Postcards from Home," a new exhibition featuring the works of Max Cole and Don Brown. The show highlights the regional history of East Texas through Cole’s illustrations of historic landmarks and Brown’s plein air paintings of local landscapes like Caddo Lake. The exhibition was organized through a collaboration with the Harrison County Historical Museum and Centenary College, bringing together works that were previously held in private and bank collections.

Fairfield University Art Museum to host lecture "Florine Stettheimer and Americana"

The Fairfield University Art Museum is set to host a specialized lecture titled "Florine Stettheimer and Americana," focusing on the life and legacy of the influential Jazz Age artist. The presentation will explore Stettheimer’s unique aesthetic, which blended high-society portraiture with a distinctively American folk-art sensibility, and her role within the avant-garde circles of early 20th-century New York.

Metro Detroit billboards feature pop art in 'open air museum'

International Outdoor, a Farmington Hills-based advertising firm, has launched an "open-air museum" across Metro Detroit featuring the work of French pop-street artist Jisbar. The initiative utilizes over 57 billboards and digital panels across three counties, displaying vibrant mashups of art history icons like the Mona Lisa with pop culture figures such as Bart Simpson and SpongeBob SquarePants. The exhibition, which runs through mid-June 2026, aims to transform the regional landscape into a public gallery accessible to commuters.

Representational Art League Exhibition at the Humboldt County Library, Hagopian Gallery

The Representational Art League has launched its latest group exhibition at the Hagopian Gallery, located within the Humboldt County Library in Eureka, California. This showcase features a diverse array of studio and plein-aire works created by local artists using mediums such as watercolor, acrylics, pastels, and oils. Featured participants include Paul and Nancy Rickard, Michelle Murphy-Ferguson, and several other regional creators.