Local arts council executive director Tania Blanich reflects on 2025

Tania Blanich, executive director of The Arts Partnership in Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo, reflects on her favorite arts experiences from 2025. Highlights include a jazz concert by The Kicks Band featuring Ted Nash's "Portrait in Seven Shades," the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra's "Music from Within" concert, the Plains Art Museum's exhibition "Women Artists: Four Centuries of Creativity," local downtown art galleries, youth theater groups Trollwood and Gooseberry, the F-M Visual Artists annual Studio Crawl, and Theatre B's "Fridays in September" series.

11 must-see works in MAM's new Bradley Collection exhibition

The Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) has opened a new exhibition titled "The Bradley Collection of Modern Art: A Bold Vision for Milwaukee" in the Baker/Rowland Galleries, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Peg Bradley's donation of nearly 400 works to the museum. The show features highlights from the collection, including pieces by Wassily Kandinsky, Raoul Dufy, and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, alongside works by American artists like Georgia O'Keeffe and Andy Warhol. The exhibition offers visitors a chance to see these works in a new setting and learn more about Bradley as a collector and philanthropist.

In The Mastermind, an art heist’s aftermath unfolds against the backdrop of Vietnam War-era America

Kelly Reichardt's new film *The Mastermind* premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, following J.B. Mooney (Josh O'Connor), a carpenter who orchestrates an art heist targeting four Arthur Dove paintings from a fictional Massachusetts museum. The heist is inspired by a real 1972 robbery at the Worcester Art Museum, and the film explores the tension between artistic value and monetary worth against the backdrop of Vietnam War-era America.

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President Donald Trump announced the planned closure of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for up to two years, starting July 4, as part of a major renovation project. The closure, pending board approval, aims to transform what Trump called a "tired, broken, and dilapidated" facility into the "finest Performing Arts Facility of its kind."

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Composer Philip Glass has withdrawn his Symphony No. 15, a commissioned work honoring Abraham Lincoln, from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts ahead of its scheduled premiere by the National Symphony Orchestra in June. Glass informed the center in a letter on Tuesday, stating that the Kennedy Center's current values are in direct conflict with the symphony's message, calling the decision an obligation. He joins soprano Renée Fleming in severing ties, while the Washington National Opera has already relocated due to low attendance. The center's board voted to add President Donald Trump's name to the institution in December, a move questioned for its legality and opposed by Kennedy family members and Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty.

Nathaniel Mary Quinn's Museum Show | Herbie Hancock Returns Home | The Lake Plans Opening

Nathaniel Mary Quinn, a Chicago-born artist who grew up in the Robert Taylor Homes, will present his first solo museum exhibition in his hometown at the National Public Housing Museum. The show, titled "Nathaniel Mary Quinn: A Love Letter To My Mother," features ten works on canvas and paper, a recreated living room from his family's apartment circa 1984, and a reading room with historical materials about the housing project. Separately, Mariane Ibrahim gallery now represents Chicago-based artist Leasho Johnson, whose work draws on Jamaican mythology and appeared on the cover of Newcity's April 2026 issue. In other local news, a new social club called The Lake is set to open in River North this fall, designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects, and construction has begun on the next phase of the Southbridge development on the site of the former Harold Ickes Homes.

Brush to canvas: News from the art community

The St. Petersburg and Gulfport art scenes are preparing for a busy spring season with several major installations and exhibition openings. Highlights include the unveiling of Yvette Mayorga’s 30-foot kinetic sculpture, "The Magic Grasshopper," at the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg, and the 10th anniversary of the "Fresh Squeezed" emerging artist exhibition at the Morean Art Center. Other notable events include Ali Banisadr’s solo show at the MFA, an environmentally-themed group exhibition at Soft Water Gallery, and a unique video game installation exploring Native Alaskan culture at the James Museum.

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The Park Avenue Armory in New York is hosting the North American premiere of *11,000 Strings*, an orchestral piece by composer Georg Friedrich Haas featuring 50 black pianos arranged in a ring. The performances began last night and run through October 7, with the 55,000-square-foot Drill Hall providing a dramatic setting for the microtonally tuned pianos and a 25-member ensemble from Klangforum Wien. The piece explores texture and tone over melody, evoking composers like Ligeti, Penderecki, and Stockhausen.

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On Saturday, demonstrators across the United States took part in No Kings rallies protesting President Donald Trump, with artists playing a key role in creating protest visuals. In New York City, activists including Susan Sarandon and Mark Ruffalo carried a yellow banner by graphic designer Ange Tran reading “People Over Billionaires,” while Brooklyn artist Julie Peppito led an art build with Indivisible Brooklyn, producing around 100 signs featuring slogans like “people power” and a red sun design. The protests, organized by the 50501 movement alongside Indivisible and MoveOn, drew an estimated 5 to 13 million participants nationwide, making it the largest action since Trump took office in January.

Jenna Sutela on Representing Finland at the 61st Venice Biennale

Jenna Sutela, representing Finland at the 61st Venice Biennale, will present an exhibition titled *Aeolian Suite* in the Giardini pavilion. The work features sound sculptures that engage with wind as both a physical and political force, using meteorological data, wind machines, recorders, a children's woodwind orchestra, and recordings of winds from Venice, Helsinki, and beyond. Sutela explores noise as a creative medium, drawing on the concept of deep listening inspired by artist Pauline Oliveros, and connects her project to the Biennale's theme, *In Minor Keys*, curated by Koyo Kouoh.

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The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF) and its managing director Dominique Savelkoul have parted ways after just over a year, making her the fourth managing director in six years (counting an interim). Savelkoul, a Belgian arts administrator who took up the post in September 2024, had never run an art fair before. TEFAF cited “differing views on the organisation’s future strategic direction” in a statement. Savelkoul succeeded Bart Drenth, who resigned in May 2023 after controversial social media posts. She previously held roles at the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Gallery in London, and Mu.Zee in Ostend.

NEPA Philharmonic & Everhart Museum Panel Discussion | Scranton, PA | NEPA Events

The Everhart Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania, will host a panel discussion on April 30, 2026, featuring astronaut and artist Nicole Stott, composer Amanda Lee Falkenberg, projection designer Camilla Tassi, and museum curator James Lansing. The event will explore the connections between the NEPA Philharmonic's upcoming "Planets, Moons, & Star Wars" concert and the museum's "Hubble Space Telescope: New Views of the Universe" exhibition.

Top 6 arts events this week in the Sarasota area, April 19-25

The Sarasota area is set to host a diverse array of cultural programming from April 19-25, highlighted by two major exhibition openings at the Sarasota Art Museum. These include a solo presentation and a group show featuring prominent figures in modern art, alongside a series of high-profile musical performances by the Sarasota Orchestra, ensembleNewSRQ, and the Venice Symphony.

Chicago Artist Brian Sykes draws huge crowd for emotional exhibit debut

Chicago-based artist Brian Sykes returned to the Beverly Arts Center for the opening of his multimedia exhibition, “I Heard the City Breathe.” The event drew a significant crowd and featured a unique blend of visual art, film, and live vocal performances, including a set by Sykes himself. The project explores the emotional and cultural realities of Chicago’s Black experience, utilizing an intergenerational approach to discuss identity and memory.

Istanbul Modern’s Gala sees record interest led by Azade Koker’s 'Orchestra'

Istanbul Modern's annual Gala Modern fundraising auction raised ₺29.6 million (over $693,000) through the sale of 12 artworks, with Azade Köker's specially created collage 'Orchestra' achieving the top price of ₺6 million (over $140,500). The event, held at the museum during a private gala, featured a Support Auction with contributions from 13 Turkish and international artists, drawing collectors, patrons, and cultural figures including Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.

Antony Gormley and Brian Eno donate works to auction for Gaza health workers

A coalition called Health Workers 4 Palestine has organized an art auction, Seeds of Solidarity, to support medical professionals in Gaza. Taking place on 1 February at the Savoy hotel in London, the auction features works donated by 21 visual artists including Antony Gormley, Brian Eno, Mona Hatoum, Lisa Brice, Caroline Walker, and Hassan Hajjaj. Proceeds will benefit the Gaza Medics Solidarity Fund, which provides stipends to doctors, supports mobile clinics, and helps reconstruct maternity wards in the enclave. The sale is curated by Zayna Al-Saleh, known for her Voices of Palestine auctions that have raised over $1.4 million.

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Jeffrey Rosen has resigned as director of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia after 12 years, sparking allegations of political interference. While the board cited a leadership crisis following an external review of workplace conditions, board member and former judge J. Michael Luttig claims the ouster was a politically motivated "regime change" orchestrated to align the institution with President Trump’s vision for the upcoming America 250 celebrations.

Bard President Leon Botstein (Finally) Resigns, Following Epstein Revelations

Leon Botstein, president of Bard College since 1975, announced his retirement on Friday following the release of an independent report by the law firm WilmerHale, commissioned by Bard's board of trustees. The report found that Botstein had not been "fully accurate" in his public accounts of his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, revealing visits to Epstein's private island, personal messages, a joint watch purchase worth $56,000, and invitations to campus. While no illegal conduct was identified, the report raised serious concerns about Botstein's leadership and judgment. Botstein will step down on June 30 but remain at Bard as a professor.

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This episode of the podcast series "How to Get Ahead in the Art World" features Loïc Gouzer, the former Christie's executive known for orchestrating the record-breaking $450 million sale of Salvator Mundi. Gouzer discusses his career risks, including pioneering the curated sale format and launching Fair Warning, a private auction app that has achieved new price records. He emphasizes trusting instinct over data in the art market and offers advice on spotting opportunities, mastering skills before breaking rules, and building an authentic personal brand.

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The Venice Biennale will proceed with its 2026 edition despite the unexpected death of its curator, Koyo Kouoh, earlier this month. The Biennale announced on Tuesday that it will realize Kouoh's exhibition, titled "In Minor Keys," which she had already begun planning before her passing. Kouoh had selected artists, developed commissions, and established the central concept. The show will be carried forward by a team of five advisers she personally chose: curators Gabe Beckhurst Feijoo, Marie Helene Pereira, and Rasha Salti; critic Siddartha Mitter as editor; and Rory Tsapayi as assistant. The exhibition remains scheduled to open on May 9, 2026, with the full support of Kouoh's family.

With "Video Games & Music," the Philharmonie de Paris Gets Into the Game

Avec « Video Games & Music », la Philharmonie de Paris se prend au jeu

The Philharmonie de Paris has launched "Video Games & Music," an immersive exhibition exploring the history and evolution of video game music (VGM). Curated by Fanny Rebillard and Jean Zeid, the show features a non-linear scenography inspired by open-world games, incorporating 29 playable consoles, archival photography by Ira Nowinski, and contemporary art by Mounir Ayache and Invader. The exhibition traces the medium's journey from 8-bit bleeps to complex orchestral scores and its influence on club culture and mainstream pop.

Cleveland Museum of Art reunites rare Himalayan paintings of the divine hero Rama

The Cleveland Museum of Art has opened "Epic of the Northwest Himalayas: Pahari Paintings from the ‘Shangri’ Ramayana," an exhibition featuring 40 rare paintings from a 1700s royal commission. These works, which depict the life of the Hindu deity Rama, have been reunited from 12 different lenders after being dispersed globally for centuries. The display is augmented by digital stations that animate over 100 additional paintings to illustrate the narrative's themes of virtue and heroism.

Boston College Arts Festival To Feature Nunziata Brothers As Alumni Artist Awardees

Boston College has unveiled the programming for its 2026 Arts Festival, themed "Artchella," scheduled for April 23–25. The 28th annual event will feature over 50 activities across the campus, including visual art exhibitions, theatrical performances, and musical concerts. A centerpiece of the festival is the Arts Awards Ceremony, which will honor alumni brothers Will and Anthony Nunziata for their professional achievements in the arts, alongside faculty and student awardees.

The weird, wiggly universe of Icelandic artist Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir

The article profiles Icelandic artist Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir, whose multidisciplinary practice spans visual art, performance, music, poetry, and filmmaking. It describes a recent performance at Reykjavik's Mengi venue where the audience was invited onstage to be stirred with an imaginary spoon, and highlights her upcoming project 'Pocket Universe' representing Iceland at the Venice Biennale, installed in a former shipyard. The piece also explores her fluid relationship with time, her admiration for artists like Meredith Monk and Laurie Anderson, and the tight-knit, artist-run creative ecosystem of Reykjavik that shapes her work.

‘In Minor Keys’: discover the themes that define the 61st Venice Biennale exhibition

The 61st Venice Biennale's main exhibition, 'In Minor Keys', curated by the late Koyo Kouoh, has opened after her sudden passing in 2025. Kouoh had fully planned the exhibition before her death, and a team of seven realized her vision. The show features 110 artists, including Wangechi Mutu, Nick Cave, Alfredo Jaar, and emerging talents like Ranti Bam. It opens with a poem by Refaat Alareer and an installation by Khaled Sabsabi, setting a contemplative tone amid themes of mourning, grief, and healing. The exhibition also highlights minority perspectives, including Caribbean and Central American artists, and confronts colonial histories through works like Florence Lazar's film on a hurricane-exposed necropolis.

The Davos arts programme: ‘Art ventures where policy briefs and position papers cannot go’

The article describes the Arts and Culture Programme at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, centered on the theme 'A Spirit of Dialogue.' It features performances and installations including the Mahler Chamber Orchestra with violinist Renaud Capuçon and an AI-generated visual installation by artist Ronen Tanchum, a concert by musician Jon Batiste, Thijs Biersteker's data-driven installation 'Forestate' created with Unesco, and Marina Abramović's mobile installation 'THE BUS.' The programme is structured around three pillars: Human Presence in the Digital Age, Tradition and Innovation, and Connection and Collaboration.

The Big Review | 36th Bienal de São Paulo ★★★★

The 36th Bienal de São Paulo has opened with a site-specific installation by Nigerian-American artist Precious Okoyomon, titled "Sun of Consciousness. God Blow Thru Me – Love Break Me" (2025), which features a spiraling path of moss-covered earth and waterfalls evoking Brazil's deforested Cerrado region. The biennial, curated by Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung with an international team, includes 125 artists—97 international and 28 Brazilian—with more than half of the works commissioned for the exhibition. Notable presentations include a career-spanning display of over 20 paintings by British artist Frank Bowling, alongside works by Brazilian artist Gervane de Paula, who has the largest presence in the show.

THE WIND AS PROTAGONIST AT THE FINLAND PAVILION

Artist Jenna Sutela has been selected to represent Finland at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026 with a multisensory installation titled Aeolian Suite. Curated by Stefanie Hessler and commissioned by Frame Contemporary Art Finland, the project transforms the Alvar Aalto-designed pavilion into a dynamic windscape using meteorological data, wind machines, and a children’s woodwinds orchestra. The work personifies five specific Venetian winds as protagonists in an elemental drama that blends scientific data with the theatrical traditions of Commedia dell’arte.

National Juneteenth Museum starts celebrations early with first Fort Worth exhibition

The National Juneteenth Museum, though not yet built in Fort Worth, is launching its first exhibition titled "Declarations of Freedom" on June 12, 2025. Curated by Lauren Cross and Christopher Blay, the show blends historical artifacts and photographs with contemporary works by North Texas artists including Vicki Meek, Spencer Evans, Sedrick Huckaby, and Letitia Huckaby. It precedes the museum's inaugural Freedom Vibes festival (June 19-22), featuring concerts, a block party, and a gospel program. State legislators have allocated $10 million toward the museum's $70 million goal, which CEO Jarred Howard frames as a nonpartisan American story.

We had to make difficult decisions

"Wir mussten schwierige Entscheidungen treffen"

Investor Andrew E. Wolff has stepped down as CEO of Artnet after orchestrating a merger of the company's US operations with Artsy, another major art market platform he recently acquired. Jeffrey Yin, previously the interim head of Artsy, has been appointed as the permanent CEO of the combined entity. The restructuring involves significant layoffs, the closure of Artnet's Berlin office, and a consolidation of management teams, though both brands will continue to operate with distinct editorial voices.