Culture Senator under pressure due to Court of Audit report

Kultursenatorin wegen Rechnungshofberichts unter Druck

Berlin's Court of Audit has issued a scathing report accusing Culture Senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson (independent) of serious legal violations in the allocation of €2.6 million in anti-Semitism prevention grants for 2025. The audit found that the selection process was arbitrary, lacked transparent criteria, and violated state budget regulations. Six of the 13 funded projects—receiving €2 million—were deemed ineligible for the specific budget line, and some recipients were newly founded entities that were not properly vetted. The report warns that the grants may need to be repaid.

Baumgartner Restoration Painstakingly Brings a Neglected Portrait Back to Life

Art conservator Julian Baumgartner, who runs Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration in Chicago, received an anonymous portrait that arrived severely damaged—folded inside a mangled parcel with substantial creases, tears, and worn-away paint. Using reversible, archival materials and meticulous attention to detail, Baumgartner painstakingly restored the neglected painting, giving it a second chance at life.

Golden Lions of the Biennale voted by the public? 7 reasons why they cannot work

Leoni d’Oro della Biennale votati dal pubblico? 7 motivi per cui non possono funzionare

On April 30, 2026, the International Jury of the Venice Art Biennale resigned en masse. In response, the Biennale Foundation hastily announced a new initiative called the "Visitor Lions" (Leoni dei Visitatori), where paying visitors would vote to award the Golden Lions for best artist and best national participation. The voting system would rely on ticket tracking to verify attendance at the main venues, the Giardini and the Arsenale. However, just a week before the public opening, no further details had been released, raising numerous practical concerns about the mechanism's feasibility.

The process for awarding the title of Italian Capital of Culture should be rethought. Here's why.

Il processo per assegnare il titolo di Capitale Italiana della Cultura andrebbe ripensato. Ecco perché

An analysis of the selection process for Italy's "Capital of Culture" title reveals a consistent pattern: cities chosen for the prestigious designation are almost exclusively administered by political coalitions aligned with the national government in power at the time of selection. The sole exceptions were Bergamo and Brescia, which were jointly awarded the title via a special parliamentary decree in recognition of their suffering during the pandemic, bypassing the standard procedure. This political alignment has persisted across different legislatures and changes in government.

Venice Biennale 2026: controversy in contemporary art

The 2026 Venice Biennale has been overshadowed by controversy rather than its art. The main curator, Cameroon-born Koyo Kouoh, died unexpectedly in May. Russia, absent since 2022, returned to the exhibition, prompting the biennale jury to resign in protest after declaring it would not award prizes to countries accused of war crimes, with protests also targeting Israel.

Art Exhibition Opening – Sunday March 8th

Artist Del Chapo is set to debut a new solo exhibition titled "Open Season" at Embers Dispensary in Washington, D.C. The showcase features paintings heavily influenced by early grindhouse and exploitation cinema, characterized by a raw aesthetic that includes visible drips, scratches, and overpainting. The opening reception is scheduled for the evening of March 8, 2026.

This Washington Museum Sold Some of Its Art. But at What Cost?

The New York Times reports that a Washington museum has sold off some of its art collection, raising questions about the financial and ethical costs of such a decision. The article details the sale, likely involving deaccessioned works, and explores the motivations behind it, such as funding operational expenses or new acquisitions.

Unesco raises ‘grave concerns’ for Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral after Russian drone strike

Unesco has raised grave concerns for Kyiv's 11th-century Saint Sophia Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, after its facade was damaged by a Russian drone strike on Tuesday. Ukraine's culture minister Mykola Tochytskyi reported that the plastered cornice of the central apse was hit, and while the interior survived intact, vibration from explosions threatens the monument's structural integrity. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, and UNESCO officials have visited to assess damage and discuss emergency conservation. The cathedral, known for its mosaics and frescoes, was added to UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger in 2023.

David Lynch retrospective Up in Flames to open at Prague’s DOX art gallery in June

A major retrospective of David Lynch's artwork, titled 'Up in Flames', will open at Prague's DOX Centre for Contemporary Art on June 19, 2025. The exhibition spans Lynch's visual work from the late 1960s to the present, including drawings, lithographs, photographs, and experimental films. Lynch was directly involved in planning the show in 2024, meeting with curator Otto M. Urban to approve the concept and selection of works before his sudden death on January 16, 2025. His estate worked with DOX to reschedule the opening and ensure the exhibition meets his standards.

A morning with Shoair Mavlian, director of The Photographers’ Gallery

Shoair Mavlian, director of The Photographers’ Gallery in London, is the subject of a profile that follows her through a typical morning, discussing her leadership strategies amid challenges facing the arts sector. The article explores how she navigates pressures from AI-generated imagery, government funding cuts, and cultural backlash against progressive initiatives, while maintaining the gallery's relevance and financial stability.