Biennale Jury Will Not Consider Countries with ICC Allegations

Biennale-Jury will Länder mit IStGH-Vorwürfen nicht berücksichtigen

The jury of the Venice Art Biennale has announced that it will not consider countries whose heads of state or government face allegations of crimes against humanity from the International Criminal Court (ICC) when awarding prizes this year. The jury, led by Brazilian art historian Solange Farkas, cited its commitment to defending human rights. While no specific countries were named, the ICC currently has arrest warrants against Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes in Ukraine and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza. The Biennale leadership stated the jury acted in full autonomy and independence.

Mass for Care of Creation; exhibition of art inspired by Laudato Si'

The London Jesuit Centre is hosting "Paintings of Prayer and Protest," an exhibition featuring the works of artists Helen Elwes and Martin Jarvis. The show coincides with a special Mass for the Care of Creation at Farm St Church in Mayfair, marking the anniversary of Pope Francis' death. Both artists, members of Christian Climate Action and the Laudato Si' Movement, present works that blend ecological activism with spiritual devotion, including painted banners used in climate marches and contemporary icons addressing rainforest devastation.

Annual {Ink}arcerated art exhibition returns to Arizona Center May 15

The {Ink}arcerated: Creativity Within Confinement art exhibition returns to the Arizona Center on May 15, featuring 365 new paintings, drawings, and sculptures created by incarcerated individuals. Managed by doctoral students Alexis Klemm and Madeline Boersma from ASU's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, the program involves distributing art supplies to 17 correctional facilities across Arizona, including a youth facility for the first time, and curating the completed works into a polished exhibition with museum lighting and display walls.

He’s Royal: Kingsley George Lawton Cooper

The 19th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition opened on April 29 in Charleston, South Carolina, featuring over 70 artists from 22 states under the theme 'Regal Threads: The Majesty of Blue and Purple.' Curated by Torreah 'Cookie' Washington, the juried exhibition explores the spiritual and historical significance of blue and purple in African diasporic traditions. Among the works is Donnette Cooper's quilt 'He's Royal: Kingsley George Lawton Cooper,' honoring her late brother Kingsley, who died in June 2024, incorporating the adinkra symbol Nyame Nwu Na Mawu and referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s eulogy.

In Lucca, four African women artists investigate identity and rights in "Bread, Roses and Colors" exhibition

Four African women artists are featured in the exhibition "Bread, Roses and Colors" in Lucca, Italy, exploring themes of identity, rights, and social justice through their work. The show brings together diverse perspectives from the continent, highlighting the artists' personal and collective experiences.

Incarcerated artists in Bonne Terre hone their skills with a St. Louis exhibit and art class

Incarcerated artists at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre are showcasing their work in a major exhibition titled "Expressions from Within" at the St. Louis University Museum of Art. The display features approximately 130 pieces, including drawings, paintings, and mixed-media works created through St. Louis University’s Prison Arts and Education Program. Led by artist-in-residence Stan Chisholm, the program provides an open studio environment where participants like Rey Hernandez and James Merritt can develop their technical skills and explore creative expression outside the rigors of prison life.

A New Show at the National Hispanic Cultural Center Highlights the Art of Nuclear Activism

The National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque has opened a new exhibition titled "Nuclear Futures: Art, Activism, and the Legacy of the Manhattan Project." The show features works by contemporary artists who use their practice to address the history, present dangers, and future implications of nuclear weapons and energy, with a particular focus on the impact on Hispanic and Indigenous communities in the American Southwest.

Mather Art Gallery Hosts Hartford Environmental Justice Research Partnership Exhibit

The Mather Art Gallery at Trinity College is hosting an exhibition showcasing the work of the Hartford Environmental Justice Research Partnership. The display highlights community-based research and collaborative solutions designed by student-led teams to address local environmental challenges in the Hartford area.

March brings exhibits, music and workshops to New Bedford museum

The New Bedford Art Museum has announced a diverse programming schedule for March 2026, headlined by the exhibition "AHA! Night: Resistance." This show features contemporary Mexican artists utilizing sculpture, textiles, and performance documentation to explore themes of social justice, indigenous knowledge, and political dissent. Accompanying the exhibition is a specialized workshop led by Oaxacan artist Ricardo Ángeles, focusing on traditional Zapotec design and wood-painting techniques.

As the Nation’s Birthday Approaches, Museums Lead the Way

The New York Times article highlights how museums across the United States are taking a leading role in commemorating the nation's birthday, with special exhibitions, public programs, and curated displays that explore American history, identity, and cultural heritage. These institutions are using their collections and expertise to offer nuanced perspectives on the country's founding, often incorporating diverse voices and critical reflections alongside traditional patriotic narratives.

Impressions of change: The power of printmaking

A new printmaking exhibition titled "Prints. People. Power." has opened at the Clara M. Lovett Art Museum at Northern Arizona University. Curated by Ty Miller, the show features works from three print collectives—Taller de Gráfica Popular (Mexico City), Movimiento Artístico del Río Salado (Phoenix), and The Arizona Print Group—exploring themes of justice, community, and resilience across the American Southwest, Central America, and South America. All artworks come from the museum's permanent collection, built through decades of donor gifts since the 1960s. The exhibition is also the first at NAU to involve student collaboration and to integrate generative AI in design and research.

London's Postal Museum launches collaboration with victims of Post Office Horizon scandal

The Postal Museum in London has launched a collaborative project with victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal, working with a group of current and former sub-postmasters to create a lasting legacy documenting the impact of the faulty Horizon IT system. Over 900 sub-postmasters were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 based on incorrect data from the software, leading to wrongful convictions, imprisonment, and financial ruin. The museum is partnering with the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, led by high court judge Wyn Williams, and has held initial meetings with twelve sub-postmasters to discuss how to mark the scandal in history.

Beauty and justice in the same breath: Columbia artists team up with political advocacy groups

Artists in Columbia have partnered with political advocacy groups to create works that intertwine aesthetic beauty with calls for social justice. The collaboration aims to amplify messages of equity and reform through visual art, blending creative expression with activist campaigns to reach broader audiences.

What hidden histories were unearthed in this stunning S.F. art exhibition?

A San Francisco art exhibition has unveiled hidden histories through a stunning display of works that challenge conventional narratives. The show brings together diverse artists whose pieces explore overlooked stories, using mixed media and installation to reveal layers of cultural and personal memory. The exhibition is presented at a prominent local venue, drawing attention for its provocative and deeply researched content.

ARTPORT hosts opening for long-term exhibition, celebrating art & community

ARTPORT returned after a 10-year hiatus with a long-term exhibition at Shreveport Regional Airport, featuring original works from over 80 local and regional artists. The 16th edition, themed “In Southern Dimension,” celebrates the music history, landscapes, and cultural legacy of Shreveport-Bossier, and for the first time includes digital art, murals, and large-scale paintings alongside traditional canvas. The opening event on June 5 included live music, a silent auction benefiting Volunteers for Youth Justice, and guided tours of installations that will remain on display at the airport for three years.

SHIZUOKA World Theatre Festival 2026

SHIZUOKAせかい演劇祭2026

The Shizuoka Performing Arts Center (SPAC) has announced the lineup for the SHIZUOKA World Theatre Festival 2026, scheduled to take place from April 25 to May 6, 2026. Under the artistic direction of Natsuki Ishigami, the festival will transform Shizuoka City into a sprawling stage, featuring international collaborations such as the Japanese premiere of 'The Tiger of Malaya' by Singapore’s Teater Ekamatra and the site-specific 'Eel Migration' involving local residents with Brazilian roots. The program also includes Satoshi Miyagi’s acclaimed production of 'Medea' and contemporary works addressing gender, labor, and social justice.