Outsourcing a service is not prohibited, but managing the provider's employees is

Externaliser un service n’est pas interdit, diriger les salariés du prestataire l’est

A wave of legal complaints has been filed against several major French cultural institutions, including the Louvre, the Pinault Collection, and the MuCEM, alleging illegal labor practices. Labor unions Sud-Culture, SUD-PTT, and Solidaires claim these museums are engaging in "illicit lending of labor" and "bargaining" by exercising direct authority over outsourced staff from third-party agencies like Marianne International and Pénélope. While outsourcing services like ticketing and reception is legal in France, the lawsuits argue that museums are illegally managing these external employees' daily schedules, rotations, and disciplinary actions as if they were their own staff.

British Museums Escape Penalizing Law on Memberships

Les musées britanniques échappent à une loi pénalisante sur les adhésions

The British government has officially exempted charitable museum memberships from the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA). Originally designed to target predatory subscription models like those used by streaming services, the law would have granted members a 14-day cooling-off period both at sign-up and upon annual renewal. Major institutions like the Tate and the Victoria & Albert Museum feared this would allow visitors to attend major exhibitions for free before canceling their memberships for a full refund.

Reopening of the Catacombs

Réouverture des Catacombes

The Catacombs of Paris have officially reopened to the public following a five-month renovation project. These extensive works were primarily focused on upgrading the site's infrastructure to enhance the overall visitor experience and improve the flow of traffic through the historic underground ossuary.

Vittoria Matarrese new director of the Magasin in Grenoble

Vittoria Matarrese nouvelle directrice du Magasin de Grenoble

Vittoria Matarrese has been appointed as the new director of the Magasin, the National Center for Contemporary Art in Grenoble. The Italian architect and curator, who previously held positions at the Villa Medici in Rome, the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, and the Bally Foundation in Lugano, and most recently led the first Art Week Riyadh, succeeds Céline Kopp. Her appointment comes as the institution seeks a new direction after a prolonged period of crisis.

Angélique Delorme gets a promotion at the Quai Branly

Angélique Delorme prend du galon au Quai Branly

Angélique Delorme has been appointed as the new Deputy Director General of the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris. She succeeds Jérôme Bastianelli and will be responsible for defining and implementing the museum's strategy, particularly in the lead-up to its 20th anniversary celebrations in June.

Lauren Laz Appointed to the Works Department of the Beaux-Arts de Paris

Lauren Laz nommée au département des œuvres des Beaux-Arts de Paris

Lauren Laz, a 47-year-old art historian specializing in prints and director of the Musée Angladon in Avignon since 2015, has been appointed director of the collections department at the Beaux-Arts de Paris. She succeeds Kathy Alliou in overseeing the school's vast holdings of nearly 450,000 works and volumes, which carry the prestigious "Musée de France" designation.

A CONTEMPORARY QUIPU TRAVERSES CASTELLO DI RIVOLI

Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea has opened Cecilia Vicuña's first solo museum exhibition in Italy, titled 'El glaciar ido (The vanished glacier).' The exhibition, curated by Marcella Beccaria and running until September 2026, features a major new site-specific commission: a monumental, horizontal 'quipu acostado' installation suspended in the Manica Lunga gallery, created from raw wool and incorporating participatory elements from local communities.

Construction of White House ballroom must stop, federal judge orders

A federal judge has ordered an immediate halt to the construction of a new ballroom at the White House's East Wing, a project initiated by former President Donald Trump. Judge Richard J. Leon's injunction stops all work except for safety and security measures, ruling that the president lacks the authority to undertake such a construction on federal property without explicit approval from Congress.

MIGUEL ESCOBAR INAUGURAL RECIPIENT OF THE IAN ROSENFELD FUND

Miguel Escobar has been selected as the first winner of the Ian Rosenfeld Fund, a £7,500 annual award created by Gallery Rosenfeld. The Colombian-born artist was chosen from over 1,300 global applicants for his conceptually clear and psychologically charged paintings, which often feature animals in theatrical environments.

Group Exhibition ‘Here’s To Painting’ To Be Celebrated With Opening Reception Saturday Afternoon

The Newtown Municipal Center Art Gallery is hosting "Here’s To Painting," a group exhibition featuring original works by 12 local artists. Curated by the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, the show highlights the creative output of a long-standing collective under the mentorship of retired art educator Claudia Mitchell. The collection primarily consists of watercolors and pastels, depicting local Newtown landmarks, international streetscapes, and still lifes.

Tillies art gallery opens in Provincetown May 1

Tillies Art & Provisions is set to open on May 1 at 512 Commercial Street in Provincetown’s East End. Located in a historic 19th-century grocery store building, the new gallery and community space will debut with a group exhibition curated by Barbara Cohen featuring 17 established local artists. The venue plans to host a diverse seasonal program including art exhibitions, readings, and musical performances.

Becoming Midwest: Mother and daughter artist pair mount museum collaboration

Watercolor artist Judy Thompson and her daughter, poet Kristin Gifford, have launched a collaborative exhibition titled “Becoming Midwest: Life Between” at the Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center in Sioux Falls. The show features 27 artworks and 12 poems that explore shared themes of motherhood, the natural landscape of the Great Plains, and the complexities of regional identity. The project marks the first formal partnership between the pair, blending Thompson’s established watercolor practice with Gifford’s contemporary poetry.

Opening reception for Nichols show is Friday

The Wilkes Art Gallery is set to host a career-spanning exhibition titled “From Reality to Realism, A Lifetime Perspective,” featuring the work of Wilkes County artist Ward Nichols. The show, which opens with a reception on Friday, April 17, will showcase a comprehensive collection of the artist’s past and present works, running through June 17.

Meet The Artist Behind “Canvases of the Cosmos” In Darien

Artist Roland Comtois is set to host a special reception for his solo exhibition, "Canvases of the Cosmos," at Geary Gallery in Darien, Connecticut. The event, scheduled for April 11, 2026, allows the public to engage with the artist and view his latest series of paintings, which focus on celestial themes through the manipulation of light and color.

Chatham-Kent - Thames Art Gallery Celebrates Local High School Artists and Ukrainian artist Lana Matskiv

The Thames Art Gallery in Chatham-Kent is launching two concurrent exhibitions on April 17, 2026, featuring a blend of professional and student work. Ukrainian artist Lana Matskiv presents "Hyphenated," a solo exhibition of over forty pieces including paintings and installations that explore the intersection of cultural histories and personal narratives. Alongside this, the gallery hosts "Here I Am," a juried showcase of artwork by local high school students from grades 9 through 12, culminating in a public reception and awards ceremony.

Stay Connected: Supplying the Globe @ Tai Kwun

Stay Connected: Supplying the Globe @ 大館

Tai Kwun in Hong Kong is set to host "Stay Connected: Supplying the Globe," a major group exhibition running from February 28 to May 31, 2026. Curated by Pi Li and Yan Kwok, the exhibition features a diverse array of contemporary artists including Musquiqui Chihying, Ho Rui An, Lap-See Lam, and Li Shuang. The works span various media, from video installations like "The Smart City" to sculptural interventions and performance-based projects, focusing on themes of global infrastructure, labor, and technological connectivity.

Echigo-Tsumari MonET Continuous Exhibition Vol. 10: Ryosaku Miyasaka "Ryosaku Miyasaka ART 75 Years Old" @ Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art MonET

越後妻有MonET 連続企画展Vol.10 宮坂了作「宮坂了作　ＡＲＴ　７５歳」@ 越後妻有里山現代美術館 MonET

The Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art (MonET) has announced a major solo exhibition for artist Ryosaku Miyasaka, titled "Ryosaku Miyasaka: ART 75 Years Old." Curated by renowned art critic Noi Sawaragi, the show features early map paintings, recent "plant character" works where the artist grows and eats edible calligraphy, and new pieces created in the Echigo-Tsumari region. Miyasaka, a former student of Allan Kaprow at CalArts, has spent decades balancing his creative output with life as a rice farmer in Nagano Prefecture.

Gold Romanian Helmet Recovered After Explosive Heist at Dutch Museum

Dutch police have recovered a 2,500-year-old gold Dacian helmet and two of three gold bracelets stolen in a 2025 museum heist. The artifacts were returned as part of a plea deal with suspects, who were offered reduced sentences and a cash enticement to reveal their location.

National Carpet Museum opens exhibition titled 'Images Imprinted in Memory' [PHOTOS]

The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum has launched "Images Imprinted in Memory," a solo exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Madina Gasimova. Supported by the .ART domain, the showcase features 28 works produced over the last five years, including five new carpets woven using the museum's traditional techniques based on the artist's contemporary sketches. The exhibition highlights the fluidity of artistic motifs as they transition across various media, including painting, stained glass, mosaic, and digital formats, accompanied by a sound installation of the carpet-weaving process.

CSUF student artists capture childhood wonder at biannual ASI art show

Cal State Fullerton recently hosted its biannual Associated Students Inc. (ASI) Art Show at the Titan Student Union Center Gallery, centered on the theme of "Memory and Nostalgia." The exhibition showcased 20 student works spanning traditional oil paintings, digital illustrations, and 3D-printed media. Awards were presented across multiple categories, highlighting pieces such as Michael Butorac’s acrylic painting "Unforgotten Friday’s" and Victor Castaneda’s digital photograph "Becoming."

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.

Casper artist Zak Pullen talks his new exhibit and his cowboy art philosophy

Wyoming artist Zak Pullen is returning to the Nicolaysen Art Museum (the NIC) for his first solo exhibition in eleven years. The showcase features his signature comically exaggerated style and includes the first-ever public display of the complete interior oil paintings from his latest children’s book, "A Home for Steamboat." The exhibition also provides a rare look into Pullen’s creative process, featuring sketches and reference photos that highlight his meticulous approach to character-focused storytelling.

Calls for Artists: April 2026

Multiple open calls for artists and grants have been announced for April 2026 deadlines. The 2027 Creative Capital Open Call offers unrestricted project grants up to $50,000 for artists across all 50 states, while also selecting recipients for the new State of the Art Prize, which grants $10,000 to one artist from each state and territory. Delfina Foundation, in partnership with the Jorge M. Pérez Collection, is offering four fully funded residencies for Latin American and Caribbean artists, with two spots available in this round. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is accepting submissions for its Louisiana Contemporary 2026 statewide juried exhibition, and the Handweaver’s Guild of America has issued calls for entries for its Convergence 2026 fiber art exhibitions.

Restoration of L’Aquila’s Teatro San Filippo, Damaged by Earthquake, Concludes After 17-Year Closure

Si conclude all’Aquila il recupero del Teatro San Filippo danneggiato dal terremoto. Era chiuso da 17 anni

The Teatro San Filippo in L’Aquila has officially completed a comprehensive restoration process after being shuttered for 17 years due to the devastating 2009 earthquake. The reopening ceremony, attended by Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, marks the return of a historic site that originated as a 17th-century Baroque church before being converted into a theater and artistic hub in the 1970s. The project was funded through a combination of state resources and private donations, including significant contributions from the "Artisti Uniti per l’Abruzzo" initiative.

A young artist has designed exhaust pipes to be played like trumpets: A traveling concert in Milan

Un giovane artista ha progettato delle marmitte da suonare come trombe. A Milano il concerto itinerante

Emerging artist Aronne Pleuteri will debut a mobile performance titled "Mototrombe!" during Milan Art Week on April 17, 2026. The event features a parade of sound sculptures crafted from salvaged automotive exhaust pipes, which have been welded and reconfigured into hybrid instruments. Led by composer Dario Buccino, the procession will travel from Milan’s Central Station to the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, where the sculptures will remain on display through April 26.

Bologna's Most Vibrant Artist Collective Turns 10 and Launches Crowdfunding

Il collettivo di artisti più vivace di Bologna compie 10 anni e lancia un crowdfunding

The Bologna-based artist-run space Gelateria Sogni di Ghiaccio is celebrating its 10th anniversary by transitioning into a broader collective and launching a crowdfunding campaign. Founded in 2016 by artists Filippo Marzocchi, Mattia Pajè, and Marco Casella, the space has hosted nearly 150 artists and over 50 solo exhibitions, filling a critical gap between art education and professional practice in Italy.

Fragility and Resistance of an Iranian Artist on Display in Rome

Fragilità e resistenza di un’artista dell’Iran in mostra a Roma

The Galleria Anna Marra in Rome is hosting "Assemblages," the first Italian solo exhibition of Iranian artist Sepideh Salehi. The show features works that blend collage, Japanese paper, photography, and drawing to depict Iranian women living in the United States who have shared experiences of displacement and political upheaval. Salehi’s figures often avert their gaze or conceal their faces, symbolizing a "calligraphy of refusal" and a quiet resistance against the historical traumas of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq war.

The exhibition of the great artist Lucy Orta in a recovered historic palace in Sansepolcro

La mostra della grande artista Lucy Orta in un palazzo storico recuperato a San Sepolcro

British artist Lucy Orta has unveiled a site-specific installation titled "Trame di Comunità" at CasermArcheologica in Sansepolcro, Tuscany, following an artist residency. The work features five tents constructed from hand-woven vintage linen and hemp, inspired by the protective imagery in Piero della Francesca’s "Polyptych of Mercy." These structures are embroidered with the faces of local residents and adorned with 99 terracotta amulets, incorporating oral testimonies and personal reflections gathered from the community during Orta's stay.

The Forgotten of Art: The Story of Architect and Sculptor Pietro De Laurentiis

I dimenticati dell’arte. La storia dell’architetto e scultore Pietro De Laurentiis

The life and legacy of Pietro De Laurentiis, a multifaceted Italian architect, sculptor, and cultural activist, are being rediscovered through a retrospective look at his prolific career. Born into a peasant family in Abruzzo, De Laurentiis rose to prominence in Rome's mid-century art scene, balancing a forty-year teaching career at the Faculty of Architecture with significant public commissions, including bronze panels for the ACEA headquarters and marble works for INPS. His artistic style evolved from rural-inspired figuration to a unique geometric abstraction that blended Cubism with folk traditions.

Italy's Soft Power in China Thanks to Two Major Exhibitions on Pompeii and Palladio

Il soft power dell’Italia in Cina grazie a due grandi mostre su Pompei e Palladio

The National Museum of China in Beijing is currently hosting two major exhibitions celebrating Italian cultural heritage: "Pompeii: An Eternal Discovery" and "Geometry, Harmony and Life: The Architecture of Andrea Palladio from Antiquity to Classicism." These exhibitions, marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and China, were inaugurated by Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli. The Pompeii showcase traces 250 years of archaeological history using artifacts and multimedia, while the Palladio exhibition explores the Renaissance master’s influence on Western architecture and creates a cross-cultural dialogue with traditional Chinese building techniques.