Comment | Are museums ‘guilt tripping’ their visitors? No, they aren’t doing enough

The article argues that museums are not doing enough to address political realities, colonial histories, and systemic oppression in their exhibitions and wall texts, contrary to critics who claim visitors feel guilt-tripped or bored by such content. The author cites the Victoria and Albert Museum's exhibition "The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence" as a missed opportunity, noting that it privileged opulence without adequately engaging with the violent histories of colonialism, as pointed out by art historian Archishman Sarker and artist Sutapa Biswas.

Sámi art has gained visibility in Norway—but when will it get a museum of its own?

Sámi artists from Norway are gaining international recognition, with milestones including the rebranding of the Nordic Pavilion as the Sámi Pavilion at the 2022 Venice Biennale, a major mural by Outi Pieski in Oslo, and a forthcoming Hyundai commission by Maret Anne Sara at Tate Modern. Despite this visibility, decades of advocacy have failed to establish a dedicated Sámi art museum; thousands of works purchased with government funds remain in storage. The Norwegian parliament's recent truth and reconciliation report acknowledged historical injustices, but activists like Synnøve Persen and scholars like Katrine Rugeldal argue that existing institutions are insufficient and that a museum must be built on Sámi terms, potentially nomadic or pan-Nordic.

Elsa James’s exhibition in my home county, Essex, is a potent rejection of the erasure of history

Elsa James's exhibition "It Should Not Be Forgotten" at Firstsite in Colchester, UK, confronts Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade through immersive installations. The show features a floor covered with larger-than-life photographs of the artist, recalling the diagram of enslaved Africans on the slave ship Brooks, accompanied by a cello soundscape by Kirke Gross. Other works give voice to enslaved women Phibbah and Molia, documented in the journals of their 18th-century owner Thomas Thistlewood, subverting historical narratives. The exhibition builds on James's earlier "Black Girl Essex" residency, which challenged the racist and sexist "Essex Girl" stereotype.

Cayman Art Week returns with new events

Cayman Art Week returns for its fifth edition from 20-25 May 2025, featuring over 40 events including pop-up exhibitions, studio visits, and extended gallery hours across all three Cayman Islands. New additions this year include the CAW Little Cayman Bike Around and CAW East curated bus tours. The National Gallery is hosting three distinct exhibitions: 'TimeBack' with archival photographs, 'Evolutions: Continuity & Change in Caymanian Art', and 'From the Mind's Eye' exploring dreams and the subconscious. The event was founded in 2021 to stimulate the commercial art market and support artists post-COVID-19.

Feeling Lost? Tackle Life’s Biggest Questions Inside Oracle, Denver’s New Introspective Art Exhibit.

Oracle, a new experiential art exhibit curated by Esther Hernandez, opened on May 9 at Union Hall Art Space in Denver. The 1,700-square-foot gallery invites visitors to wear blindfolds and be guided by volunteers to 16 works by six local female artists—Yazz Atmore, Faatma Be Oné, Linda Bishara, Rebecca Peebles, Sarah Tenney, and Harriet Woodman—before removing the blindfold to reflect on pieces that resonate with their personal questions. The exhibit includes interactive works, such as a ceremonial weighted blanket and a mixed-media altar, and runs through August 23.

Future Fair updates portraiture for 2025

Future Fair returns for its fifth anniversary from May 7-10 at Chelsea Industrial in Manhattan, featuring 67 exhibitors. The fair is impacted by President Donald Trump’s tariffs, with one Bologna-based gallery, Magazzeno Art Gaze, displaying a sign that its shipment is stuck at JFK customs, showing only works brought in luggage. Montreal’s Wishbone Gallery narrowly avoided a similar fate after its artist consulted a psychic, and the works arrived just in time. Despite trade disruptions, the fair continues its focus on portraiture, showcasing artists such as Saki Sonoda (depicting Bushwick club House of Yes), Émile Brunet (Dutch Golden Age-inspired portraits), Izere Antoine (impastoed Black women), Matthew Rosenquist (wooden reliefs of Americana), Katie Commodore (digital textile tapestries), and Catie Cook (animal stand-ins for Southern womanhood).

The Berlin art legend who found his calling in sneaking into other artists’ shows

Patrick Jambon, a 58-year-old French performance artist living in Berlin, has spent the past 25 years attending gallery openings as a continuous performance piece he calls his 'gallery project.' Dressed in a bright red T-shirt, cartoonish metal-framed glasses, and carrying a yellow bike helmet, he visits dozens of galleries daily, compiling opening lists from websites and social media. His project has become so embedded in the city's art scene that his handwritten lists are now exhibited in spaces like Berlin-Weekly, and artists such as Ae Hee Lee note that 'you aren't a real Berlin artist if you don't know him.'

Trude Fleischmann Photography Exhibition: Famous & Family , Opens May 2

The Fairfield University Art Museum's Bellarmine Hall Galleries will host 'Famous & Family: Through the Lens of Trude Fleischmann' from May 2 through July 26, 2025. This is the first American solo museum exhibition dedicated to the Austrian-born photographer Trude Fleischmann (1895-1990), featuring over 100 photographs that span her groundbreaking career in 1920s-30s Vienna and her influential work in the United States after fleeing Nazi persecution in 1938. The show includes portraits of cultural figures such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Marian Anderson, and Albert Einstein, alongside never-before-exhibited works from family collections and a documentary film.

Detroit Art Institutions Resist Political Challenges to Diversity

Detroit art institutions, including the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, are actively resisting political pressures and legislative challenges aimed at rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The article details how these organizations are reaffirming their commitments to diverse programming, hiring practices, and community engagement despite a broader political climate that has targeted DEI efforts in the arts and education sectors.

MFA Boston to return Benin Bronzes to wealthy donor, close gallery

The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston will close its Benin Kingdom Gallery on April 28, and most of the Benin Bronzes displayed there will not be repatriated to Nigeria. Instead, all but five of the 34 objects will be returned to their donor, filmmaker and banking heir Robert Owen Lehman, who rescinded his 2008 gift after stalled negotiations with the museum. The MFA had sought to acquire full ownership of the works to ensure their display, but Lehman asked for them back. The five bronzes the museum does own will remain in its collection and be shown in its Art of Africa Gallery starting in June.

Fairfield University Art Museum Presents Famous & Family: Through the Lens of Trude Fleischmann, May 2 – July 26

Fairfield University Art Museum will present "Famous & Family: Through the Lens of Trude Fleischmann" from May 2 to July 26, 2025, marking the first solo museum exhibition of the Austrian-born photographer's work in the United States. The show features over 100 photographs spanning Fleischmann's career, including her early studio work in 1920s and 1930s Vienna capturing cultural figures, and her later portraits of luminaries such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Marian Anderson, and Albert Einstein after she emigrated to New York in 1940. The exhibition includes never-before-exhibited works from family collections and a documentary film, and is curated by museum executive director Carey Weber alongside Fleischmann's cousin Barbara Loss.

Holy ground: why Persian carpets played an important symbolic role in the funeral of Pope Francis

Persian carpets from northwest Iran were used in the funeral proceedings of Pope Francis, placed beneath his casket in St. Peter's Basilica and later in St. Peter's Square. The article traces this tradition back over 600 years, explaining how carpets from Islamic lands—first Anatolia, then Iran, Egypt, and the Levant—were depicted in Renaissance religious paintings as markers of sacred space, appearing at the feet of the Virgin Mary and other holy figures.

Au Royaume-Uni les contraintes budgétaires des musées pèsent sur les effectifs

A survey of 329 museum directors in the UK, published in the Art Fund's Museum Directors Research 2026 report, reveals that staff shortages have overtaken building maintenance as the top concern for cultural institutions. Conducted by Wafer Hadley between January and March 2026, the study shows that 85% of directors cite team size and capacity as the main barrier to programming, ahead of budget constraints (67%) and lack of specialized expertise (23%). The National Gallery in London launched a voluntary redundancy plan in February 2026 to address a projected deficit of £8.2 million, while the Museum of Cambridge cut a third of its staff and reduced opening hours. Local authority grants have decreased or ceased for 45% of institutions between 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, and over a third of museums have reduced or plan to reduce opening hours and annual exhibitions.

Sécurité dans les musées

This issue of Le Journal des Arts (No. 676, May 2, 2026) covers a range of visual art news: the Whitney Biennial's perceived neutrality, the increasing complexity of art taxation in 2025, an interview with Bourges mayor Yann Galut about scaling back the Bourges 2028 project, the opening of a contemporary gallery at Angers Cathedral, the abandonment of the Frigos artist site in Paris, and a profile of auctioneer Hubert L'Huillier.

Hervé Barbaret s’éloigne de France-Muséums

Hervé Barbaret, aged 60, will step down as director general of France-Muséums on April 30, returning to the Cour des comptes (Court of Auditors). He had led the organization since 2019. Barbaret, a former student of the École Nationale d'Administration (ENA) and a senior counselor, previously served as general administrator of the Louvre, overseeing the Louvre-Lens project, the Department of Islamic Arts, and Louvre Abu Dhabi. He also directed the Mobilier national and was secretary general of the Ministry of Culture. France-Muséums coordinates French museum expertise internationally, from Louvre Abu Dhabi to a project in New Delhi. His successor has not yet been announced.

In Venice, the Wagner Museum changes status

À Venise, le Musée Wagner change de statut

The Wagner Museum in Venice, currently a discreet institution housed within the Casino di Venezia in the Ca' Vendramin Calergi palace on the Grand Canal, is set to join the network of the Fondazione dei Musei Civici di Venezia (MUVE) by 2027. An agreement signed in March 2025, after thirty years of discussions, between MUVE, the Casino, and the Richard Wagner Association will make the museum the fourteenth institution under MUVE's management, alongside the Museo Correr, Ca' Pesaro, and the Museo Fortuny. The museum, established in 1995 in the rooms where Richard Wagner stayed and died in 1883, holds significant collections including the Josef Lienhart and Walter Just collections, making it one of the most important private Wagnerian collections outside Bayreuth, Germany.

Interview with Pietro Vallone, new president of the Association of Modern and Contemporary Art Galleries in Italy

Intervista a Pietro Vallone nuovo presidente dell’Associazione delle gallerie d’arte moderna e contemporanea in Italia

Pietro Vallone, partner and financial director of Massimo De Carlo, has been elected the new president of ANGAMC (Associazione Nazionale Gallerie d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea) for the 2026-2030 term. The election took place during the association's ordinary assembly at Triennale di Milano on May 25, 2026, where a new board of directors, including vice presidents Giovanni Bonelli and Claudia Ciaccio, was also appointed. In an interview following his election, Vallone addressed the challenges facing Italian galleries, including a structural slowdown in the global art market due to geopolitical instability, economic shifts, and changing patterns of cultural consumption and collecting.

A Night at the museum

Artis—Naples is hosting its free Art After Hours program at The Baker Museum throughout the summer, offering free admission on the last Wednesday of each month through August from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The program features live music by local musicians and allows visitors to explore current exhibitions in a relaxed evening setting. Museum Director and Chief Curator Courtney A. McNeil and Director of Education & Community Partnerships Dave Aulenbach highlight the program's role in making art accessible to the community.

Ibrahim Mahama, one of today's most influential artists

Ibrahim Mahama, a Ghanaian artist known for his large-scale installations using jute sacks and other materials, is profiled as one of today's most influential artists. The article highlights his rise from Tamale to international prominence, his work addressing themes of labor, migration, and globalization, and his recent projects including the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art in Ghana.

Amy Sherald: American Sublime Art Exhibition at The High Museum

The High Museum in Atlanta is presenting 'Amy Sherald: American Sublime', an exhibition dedicated to the celebrated American portrait painter. The show features Sherald's distinctive figurative works, known for their muted gray skin tones and vibrant backgrounds, which have gained widespread acclaim since her official portrait of Michelle Obama.

3 new exhibitions at Artists Archives tackle urgent social issues

The Artists Archives of the Western Reserve in Cleveland has opened three new exhibitions that confront pressing social issues. The shows feature works by regional artists addressing topics such as racial justice, environmental crisis, and community resilience, using a range of media from painting and sculpture to mixed-media installations.

The ECC Italy’s Venice Exhibition Demonstrates the Power of ‘Conscious Intermingling’

The ECC Italy has opened a new exhibition in Venice titled 'Conscious Intermingling,' showcasing works that explore cross-cultural dialogue and artistic exchange. The show brings together contemporary artists from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing collaborative and hybrid creative practices that transcend national and cultural boundaries.

UPSTATE ART WEEKEND: OPEN HOURS to Return to Kaatsbaan Cultural Park

Upstate Art Weekend is bringing back its OPEN HOURS program to Kaatsbaan Cultural Park in Tivoli, New York. The event, organized by BroadwayWorld, offers extended hours for visitors to explore the park's artistic and cultural offerings, including exhibitions and performances, during a dedicated weekend in the Hudson Valley region.

Landscape and Imagery Help MOWA Celebrate the Country’s 250th Birthday

The Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) in West Bend has opened a new exhibition titled "The American Landscape: Beyond the Horizon," celebrating the role of Wisconsin artists in capturing the state's contributions to the United States ahead of the country's 250th birthday. The show features over 60 works, 60% from the museum's permanent collection and 40% borrowed from artists and collectors, including pieces by John Stuart Curry, Lois Ireland, Georgia O'Keeffe, Native American artists like Helen Lonetree and Lila Greengrass Blackdeer, and contemporary works by incarcerated artist M. Winston. Guest curator Rafael Salas, a professor at Ripon College, also includes three of his own works.

Man Can’t Tell if Friend’s Art Show Surrealist or Bad

Local man Brian Jacobs attends a friend's high-profile surrealist art show in New York but cannot determine whether the works are genuinely surrealist or simply poorly executed. He describes a painting of a five-eyed fisherman holding a melting bowling ball as looking like it was painted by a first grader. The artist, Gavin McCloud, interprets Jacobs's bewildered reactions as impressed awe and plans to gift him the melting bowling ball painting. Gallery owner Christine Morgan admits she sometimes hosts derivative work from donors' children in exchange for large checks, and advises artists to claim ambiguity as the real art if questioned.

Art, research, and Night at the Museum: The flourishing partnership between UC Santa Cruz Humanities and the Museum of Art and History - UC Santa Cruz

UC Santa Cruz Humanities and the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) have deepened their decade-long partnership, marked by the MAH's 30th anniversary in April 2025. The collaboration includes co-sponsored exhibitions like "This is Thirty" and the ongoing "Night at the Museum" public event series, which brings scholars, artists, and community members together for free panel discussions and exhibits. Notable past projects include the 2016 Kinsey African American Art & History Collection exhibition and the 2023 California premiere of "Resettlement: Chicago Story."

Five Scottish museum collections awarded national significance status

Five museum collections in Scotland have been awarded national significance status on International Museum Day, bringing the total number of recognized collections in Scotland to 56. The newly designated collections are the Linoleum Collection (managed by OnFife), the Photographic Collection (University of St Andrews), the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design Collection (University of Dundee Museums), the Oakbank Collection (Scottish Crannog Centre), and the Art Collection (University of Stirling). The Recognition Scheme, managed by Museums Galleries Scotland, highlights collections beyond those held in national museums and galleries, spanning from Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway.

Los Angeles Sees Cultural Explosion: AI Art Museums, Immersive Exhibits, and Iconic Festivals Set to Redefine US Tourism

Los Angeles is undergoing a major cultural expansion in 2026, with several high-profile museum openings and immersive art experiences set to debut between June and December. Key developments include Dataland 3.0, the world's first dedicated Museum of AI Arts, created by Refik Anadol Studio at The Grand LA; the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a 100,000-square-foot gallery in Exposition Park designed by MAD Architects; and a new permanent installation by the art collective Meow Wolf. These are joined by recurring events such as LA Pride 2026, Cali Vibes 2026, the German Currents Film Festival, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, and the L.A. County Holiday Celebration, creating a dense cultural calendar.

Calling Back 11 Forgotten Women Artists: Leeum’s "Inside Other Spaces"

Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul is presenting "Inside Other Spaces: Environments by Women Artists, 1956–1976," an exhibition that reconstructs immersive environmental artworks by 11 pioneering women artists. Originally curated in 2023 at Haus der Kunst Munich and later shown at MAXXI in Rome and M+ in Hong Kong, the show features restored pieces including Judy Chicago's "Feather Room" (filled with 136 kg of white goose feathers), Jung Kangja's "Muchejeon" (restored after 56 years), Lygia Clark's "House Is Body: Penetration, Ovulation, Germination, Expulsion," and Marian Zazila, La Monte Young, and Jung Hee Choi's "Dream House: Environment of Sound and Light" (shown in Asia for the first time).

Exhibition at La Jolla’s Tim Bessell gallery to showcase surf-inspired art

An upcoming exhibition at Tim Bessell's surfboard shop and gallery in La Jolla will showcase surf-inspired works by a group of artists connected by their shared love of surfing and the ocean. The show, expected to open in the first week of June, features painter, sculptor, photographer, and mixed-media artists, including Joel Pessoa, Tim Bessell, Robin Bessell, Shaun Donovan, and Steve Sherman. Pessoa will display wood carvings from Portugal and paintings from his time in La Jolla, while Bessell—an internationally known surfboard maker and artist—will also exhibit his own works, alongside his wife Robin's floral mixed-media pieces and informal contributions from his daughter Natalie.