Two Major Architecture Firms Aim to Revolutionize Rome Over the Next 25 Years

Due grandi studi di architettura puntano a rivoluzionare Roma nei prossimi 25 anni

A multidisciplinary team led by Italian architecture and urban planning firm IT'S and Dutch firm OMA has won the international ideas competition "Vision for Rome," promoted by the Fondazione Roma REgeneration. Their project, "Roma Continua," was presented at the Auditorium della Tecnica di Confindustria during the second ROMA REgeneration FORUM. The proposal aims to rethink Rome over the next 25 years through a paradigm shift in urban, social, and cultural planning, envisioning the city as a living ecosystem. It is based on five guiding principles—care, beauty, knowledge, movement, reuse, and grafting—and includes five green corridors anchored to the Tiber River, "Fori dell'innovazione" (innovation forums), and a continuous mobility network. The project also seeks to reduce tourist pressure on the historic center by creating new cultural itineraries and sustainable transport links.

How do art auctions change if everything online seems like a video game?

Come cambiano le aste d’arte se online tutto sembra un video game?

The article examines how digital infrastructure has transformed art auctions from exclusive in-person rituals into real-time competitive interfaces. Online sales, which peaked during the pandemic, now account for about 16% of the global art market in 2025 (down from 18% in 2024), according to the Art Market Report by Art Basel and UBS. Digital tools enable instant bidding, global streaming, and discreet participation, allowing collectors to compete without physical presence. The piece highlights the gamification of auctions, noting that ArtTactic has launched Art Forecaster, a platform where users predict auction prices in tournament-style competitions, blending market engagement with ludic elements.

The Forgotten Eligibles. Protest over the Ministry of Culture's ranking of 200 art historians

Gli idonei dimenticati. Protesta per la graduatoria dei 200 storici dell’arte del Ministero della Cultura

The CISDA (Committee of Qualified Art Historians) has issued a strong protest against the Italian Ministry of Culture's intention to let the ranking list from a 2018 public competition for Art Historian Officials expire on May 30, 2026, without extension. This would invalidate the eligibility of 204 qualified candidates who passed rigorous selections. The protest has escalated into a parliamentary inquiry directed at Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli, and a public demonstration is scheduled for April 28 in front of the Ministry's headquarters in Rome.

Jobs in Art: Opportunities from Catania Academy of Fine Arts, MADRE Naples, Camera Austria, Teatro Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

Lavoro nell’arte: opportunità da Accademia Belle Arti Catania, MADRE Napoli, Camera Austria, Teatro Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

Several prominent Italian and international cultural institutions have launched open calls for professional roles, residencies, and artistic competitions. Key opportunities include the search for a new director at the MADRE Museum in Naples with a three-year contract, a social media manager position at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, and various residency programs for photographers and designers at the Academy of Fine Arts in Catania and Camera Austria in Graz.

The Invisible Pain: The Story of the Asylum in Alessandro Bencivenga's Latest Film

Il dolore che non si vede: il racconto del manicomio nell’ultimo film di Alessandro Bencivenga

Director Alessandro Bencivenga’s new film, L’invisibile filo rosso, debuted out of competition at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, offering a poignant look at the Pergine Valsugana psychiatric hospital in the 1950s. Based on extensive archival research, the narrative follows a young nurse from Ischia who witnesses the hidden horrors and human dignity within the asylum. The film features a notable cast including Massimo Bonetti, who portrays the real-life figure Giovanni Giulio Anesini, and Ornella Muti as Ida Dalser, the persecuted first wife of Benito Mussolini.

Visitors invited behind the scenes with return of Welsh art trail

Crickhowell Open Studios returns from 23 to 25 May 2026, inviting visitors to explore 26 venues across Crickhowell and Abergavenny. The free-entry trail includes artists' studios, galleries, and creative spaces showcasing paintings, printmaking, textiles, sculpture, jewellery, ceramics, and glass. Organized by the Crickhowell Resource and Information Centre (CRiC), which celebrates twenty years of community support, the event features the Open Art Competition Exhibition at Oriel CRiC Gallery, a residency by portrait artist Oriane Pierrepont, and participation from artists such as Nadia Epping, Lucy Corbett, and Lee Wright. Venues range from St Edmund’s Church to Antur Brew Co. and The Welsh Academy of Art.

Plas Art Show goes back to basics with renewed focus on its sculpture, 3-D work

The Plas Art Show, a Seoul-based art fair specializing in sculpture and three-dimensional works, returns for its 11th edition from June 4 at Coex in Gangnam District. Featuring 102 galleries (91 domestic and 11 from Taiwan, Germany, Japan, and Georgia), the fair presents roughly 750 artists and 3,500 works under the theme “New Chance.” Fair president Shin Jun-won acknowledged criticism that the event had drifted from its sculptural focus and announced stricter curation, including on-site inspections and penalties for galleries that fail to include at least one three-dimensional artist and one stereoscopic work. Standard booth prices range from 5.7 to 6.7 million won, which Shin says attracts Gangnam-area galleries priced out of larger venues.

Cocoa’s picks: Gallery openings, mural celebrations and music competitions

The article highlights several arts events in Bellingham, Washington, including a community mural celebration led by Coast Salish artist Jason LaClair, an opening reception for Charles Villiers' solo exhibition "Untethered" at Cordata Gallery, an improvised musical called "You: The Musical" at The Upfront Theatre, and a Youth Chamber Music Competition hosted by the Harmony Chamber Music Festival. These events span visual art, theater, and classical music, with the mural project involving over 500 children and families in selecting the design.

Bark Art Stuns Opening Night Crowd

The Wondai Regional Art Gallery in Queensland, Australia, opened its May 2025 exhibitions with a standout piece: a 3D bark portrait of the late actor Uncle Jack Charles by art student Charlotte Simpson, which won the People's Choice award. The show also features a rare photograph of a bee urinating, captured by Moffatdale photographer Liz Barratt, alongside works by the Tomlinson Family Collective and other local artists. The exhibitions were officially opened by South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff and will run through May 31.

Nagano Prefecture 150th Anniversary / Renewal Opening 5th Anniversary: "Reorganizing – The NAM Collection Today" @ Nagano Prefectural Art Museum

長野県150周年記念／リニューアル・オープン5周年記念「再編する－NAMコレクションの現在」@ 長野県立美術館

The Nagano Prefectural Art Museum has announced a major exhibition titled "Reorganizing – The NAM Collection Today," scheduled to run from April 29 to June 7, 2026. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of Nagano Prefecture and the 5th anniversary of the museum's renewal, the show features approximately 100 works from the permanent collection alongside new commissions by guest artists Naoya Hirata, Barrack, and Tomoko Sato. The exhibition is structured into three thematic sections focusing on sculpture, the layers of painting, and the re-reading of institutional history.

Sunkissed and the Poetics of Repetition.

Jeddah-based artist Ahaad Alamoudi presents 'Sunkissed' at the Sharjah Art Foundation, a solo exhibition curated by Amal Al Ali that explores the rapidly shifting cultural landscape of the Gulf. Through a series of newly commissioned and recent works, including looping videos and mechanical installations, Alamoudi utilizes repetition and pop-culture symbols like falcons and fly traps to examine how collective identity is negotiated amidst accelerated urban development and technological change.

'World-renowned' photo exhibition returns to city

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, now in its 61st year, has returned to Brighton Museum and Art Gallery on loan from the Natural History Museum. The exhibition runs from 9 May to 6 September and features over 60,000 entries from photographers across 113 countries and territories, judged anonymously on creativity, originality, and technical excellence.

Otterbein Granville honors artist Jane Heller with new exhibit

The Jane Heller Gallery at Otterbein SeniorLife Granville in Ohio will open a new exhibit titled "Connecting with Jane" on May 1, 2026. The exhibition honors the late founding resident Jane Heller, showcasing her abstract art that has been displayed at the Columbus Museum of Art and featured in regional competitions over the past 50 years. The opening reception runs from 5 to 6 p.m., and the exhibit will be on view for two months.

LRMA honors community-wide art contest winners

The Laurel Arts League announced the winners of its inaugural Community-Wide Art Contest during a ceremony at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art. First-grader Libby Morgan from Laurel Christian School was among the honorees, celebrated for her first-place win.

Call for Entries Open for 56th National Juried Artists Exhibition

The St. Tammany Art Association (STAA) has launched its call for entries for the 56th National Juried Artists Exhibition, titled "The Summer Show." Open to artists across the United States, the competition offers $3,500 in total cash prizes, including a $2,000 Best of Show award. The exhibition will run from July 11 to September 12, 2026, at the STAA Art House in Covington, Louisiana, with New Orleans-based ceramicist and educator MaPó Kinnord serving as the guest juror.

Submissions invited for the Young Artist Open exhibition

The Ferens Art Gallery in Hull is inviting submissions for its annual Young Artist Open exhibition, formerly known as the Junior Open. Open to individuals, schools, and community groups, the competition is for artists aged 15 and under, with artworks accepted until July 13. Prizes are awarded in three age categories, and selected works will be displayed in a gallery exhibition from October 10, 2025, to January 11, 2026.

Historic condom exhibit at Rijksmuseum sparks protest

A Christian group, Stichting Civitas Christiana and TFP Student Action Europe, is protesting the Rijksmuseum's display of a 1830s condom made from a sheep's appendix, featuring an erotic etching of a nun and three clergymen. The condom, acquired at auction, is part of a small exhibition on 19th-century prostitution and riffs on the judgment of Paris myth. The group has distributed flyers and launched a petition calling the display a sacrilege, while the museum defends it as historically significant and humorous.

British Museum faces internal criticism over private Israel independence day event

The British Museum (BM) in London hosted a private event on 16 May marking the anniversary of the founding of Israel, organized by the Israeli embassy. Speakers included Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely and UK minister Maria Eagle, with attendees such as comedian Jimmy Carr and politicians Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage. The event has sparked anger among museum staff and external critics, who argue it is insensitive given the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has led to widespread famine and civilian deaths. Staff have organized a petition demanding the museum cease relations with Israeli cultural institutions, gathering 250 signatures.

Ravenswood Art Gallery hosts photography contest sponsored by Black Sheep Tattoo

The Ravenswood Art Gallery recently hosted a photography contest titled "Bright, Beautiful WV!", which featured 21 entries from local photographers. Sponsored by Black Sheep Tattoo Co., the event awarded $500 in prizes and was judged by a four-person panel. The ceremony highlighted the gallery's ongoing commitment to community engagement and its growth since opening 16 months ago.

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.

Celebrate Discovery at FAU’s Annual Art of Science Gallery Opening

Florida Atlantic University's Division of Research is opening its seventh annual Art of Science gallery with a reception and awards presentation on March 31 at the Ritter Art Gallery on the Boca Raton campus. The event celebrates the winning entries from a photography and video competition that highlights the intersection of scientific research and artistic expression, featuring over 200 submissions from faculty, students, staff, and postdoctoral fellows.

Celebrate Discovery at FAU’s Annual Art of Science Gallery Opening

Florida Atlantic University’s Division of Research is launching its seventh annual Art of Science exhibition at the Ritter Art Gallery in Boca Raton. The competition features photography and video submitted by FAU faculty, students, and staff that capture aesthetic moments encountered during scientific research. This year’s top honors go to Chelsea Bennice for her photograph of an octopus and Aleksandra Nedovic for her abstract visualization of drug development research.

First solo art exhibition for Timaru teen Felix Anderson-Goldsmith

Felix Anderson-Goldsmith, a 17-year-old pencil artist from Timaru, New Zealand, is preparing for his first solo exhibition at the Red Bird Gallery in Timaru. The exhibition opens on January 9, 2026, and runs until February 3, featuring ten works including pencil realism pieces and two pop art paintings on skateboards. Anderson-Goldsmith previously gained recognition as a shortlisted entrant in the 2024 Parkin Drawing Prize, where he received a highly commended award. Gallery owner Polly Rowe offered him the show after being impressed by his sketches, and has guided him in developing a cohesive body of work.

St Helens Open Art Competition set to return for 30th year

The St Helens Open Art Competition is returning for its 30th year, celebrating three decades of local creativity. The exhibition will be held at The World of Glass, home to the Godfrey Pilkington Art Gallery, from November 29, 2025, to February 28, 2026. Judging this year’s competition includes artists Peter Humphries, Arthur Roberts, Paul Cousins, and Tash Lofthouse, with prizes ranging from the St Helens Artists awards to the newly introduced Jill Dagnall Prize.

Cedarburg Art Museum announces summer exhibitions

The Cedarburg Art Museum in Wisconsin has announced its summer exhibition lineup, running from April 30 through October 4. Featured shows include "Deeply Rooted: Small Family Farms," a photography exhibition by Cedarburg native Leslie Witte documenting life on her family’s farm; "This is Cedarburg," a display of landscape and plein air works from the museum’s permanent collection; the annual juried exhibition "America: A Wisconsin Perspective," showcasing artists from across the state; and outdoor sculptures by local artist Dan Grunst on the museum grounds.

Major Prizes Available: Plein Air Art Contest Inspires Artists to Protect Public Lands

A plein air art contest is being held in Alton, Illinois, from May 1–31, 2026. Artists over 16 are invited to create works on-site at up to eight Rivers Project recreation areas. For a $25 submission fee, they can enter their work for prizes, and all submissions will be exhibited at the National Great Rivers Museum through August.

Mint Museum exhibit reimagines feminine form as art

The Mint Museum Uptown is set to debut "Mint to Be: The Feminine Body as Costume Art" on May 1, an exhibition that explores the feminine form through the lens of fashion and identity. Curated by Professor Perrine DeShield-Jenkins, the showcase serves as a Met Gala–inspired experience featuring interactive narratives, photo activations, and a high-stakes runway competition where 20 Charlotte-based designers will vie for a $1,000 prize for couture that best reimagines the body as a living canvas.

Maintenance Work Brings Together Artists Examining Care as Process

Maintenance Work: Practices of Care, an exhibition opening at The Good Rice Gallery, brings together artists working across installation, performance, video, and sculpture. Curated by Berenice Berlan and Sowon Kim, the show features works from 18 artists including Abeer Al-Tamimi, Flavia Carolina D’Alessandro, and Jieyi Chen, exploring maintenance not as a finished act but as an ongoing process shaped by care, repetition, and attention. The exhibition runs from 21st to 24th May 2026, with a private view on 21st May.

Leonhard Center and Bellefonte Art Museum seek submissions for art exhibition

The Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education at Penn State is partnering with the Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County (BAM) to organize an exhibition titled “Making Connections: Art, Engineering and Community.” Students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit original works exploring the intersection of art and engineering. Submissions from the College of Engineering will also be entered into the second annual Leonhard Center Art–Engineering Competition. The exhibition will be curated by Sarah Zappe, Joseph Cusumano, and Benjamin Fehl, who previously curated a related show at the Palmer Museum of Art. Applications are open through October 15, 2026, with the exhibition running from January 1 to February 28, 2027.

Three exhibitions set to open at Hunterdon Art Museum

The Hunterdon Art Museum in New Jersey will open three new exhibitions on May 17, 2025. The shows include a solo exhibition of figurative painter Emily Strong, featuring large-scale realist oil paintings that explore identity and relationships; “Claybash,” the museum’s second triennial juried ceramics exhibition curated by Angelik Vizcarrondo-Laboy; and “Mindscapes,” a retrospective of 60 years of work by 93-year-old New Jersey artist Bascha Mon, whose recent pieces are inspired by the music of composer Olivier Messiaen.