Ahead of the Met Gala, “Costume Art” Connects Fashion and the Body

On May 4, 2026, the Metropolitan Museum of Art previewed the Costume Institute's new permanent galleries and its inaugural exhibition, "Costume Art," ahead of the Met Gala. The exhibition features over 400 objects from the Met's collections, organized around themes of the body such as "The Classical Body" and "The Disabled Body," with mannequins featuring mirrored faces to reflect viewers. Speakers at the press event included Anna Wintour, Venus Williams, and Lauren Sánchez Bezos, with the Met Gala raising over $42 million for the museum.

Here's when the 2026 Met Gala red carpet arrivals start and end

The 2026 Met Gala will take place on Monday, May 4, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, with red carpet arrivals officially beginning at 5:30 p.m. and continuing for several hours as celebrities trickle in. The event raises funds for the museum's Costume Institute and celebrates the new spring exhibition "Costume Art," with a dress code of "Fashion is Art." Co-chairs include Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour, with a host committee chaired by Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz, and the event is made possible by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos.

Met Gala 2026: Stars Bring Art-Inspired Looks to the Met Stairs

The 2026 Met Gala took place on May 4 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, celebrating the opening of the "Costume Art" exhibition. A host of celebrities including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Blue Ivy Carter, Serena Williams, Janelle Monáe, Venus Williams, Ciara, Anderson .Paak, Naomi Osaka, Yseult, Anok Yai, Jon Batiste, and Suleika Jaouad arrived at the museum's iconic stairs wearing art-inspired looks. The event was covered by photographers Evan Agostini and Charles Sykes for the Associated Press.

Review | An abruptly postponed Smithsonian show of African LGBTQ+ art is now open

The Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art has opened "Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art," its first major exhibition dedicated to African LGBTQ+ artists. The show, which was abruptly postponed earlier, features works that celebrate queer life through themes of joy, family, and belonging, while also addressing the darkness and loss faced by LGBTQ+ communities globally.

National Cowboy Museum's Route 66 exhibit is closing soon

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City is closing its Route 66 exhibit soon. Chief Curatorial Officer David Davis explains that the museum's location on Route 66 was the original reason for its founding, and the exhibit explores the historic highway's deep connection to the institution.

Jury for Venice Biennale's art prize resigns after refusing to recognise Israeli, Russian artists

The international jury of the 61st Venice Biennale art exhibition resigned just over a week before the May 9 prize ceremony, after announcing they would not consider artists from countries whose leaders face International Criminal Court charges—an apparent reference to Russia and Israel. The jury included president Solange Farkas, Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi. In response, the Biennale established two Visitors’ Lions to be awarded by ticket-holder vote, postponed the awards to November 22, and reaffirmed that all national participations remain eligible, effectively reinstating Russian and Israeli artists.

A semester of SLAM

The St. Louis Art Museum (SLAM) hosted two special exhibitions during the past semester: the annual "Art in Bloom" floral exhibition from February 27 to March 1, 2026, and the solo show "Currents 125: Blas Isasi" opening February 6, 2026. "Art in Bloom" pairs 30 permanent collection pieces with ephemeral floral arrangements created by local designers, featuring a centerpiece by New York-based floral designer Rachel Cho. The exhibition has grown from an invitational event with 7,000 attendees to an open call drawing over 30,000 visitors. Isasi's exhibition, titled "The weight of a gaze (is to listen to the sound of a kilogram)," is part of SLAM's "Currents" series and the WashU Henry L. and Natalie E. Freund Teaching Fellowship, incorporating a Chincha Inka balance from the museum's collection alongside sandstone sculptures and aluminum foil pieces.

Miller Art Museum Announces Student Award-Winners

The Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, announced the award winners of the 52nd-annual Salon of Door County High School Art at a free public reception on April 6. The exhibition features original artwork by 105 students from five local high schools—Gibraltar, Sevastopol, Southern Door, Sturgeon Bay, and Washington Island. Awards of Excellence were given to Abigail DeMeuse, Lilian Saltou, Audrie Schley, Rowan Ploor, and Thomas Pratt, while honorable mentions went to Molly Virlee, Lola Georgenson, Angelina LeCloux Herrera, Ryan Felhofer, and Teagan McGrane. Gianna Roman of Sevastopol won the fourth-annual Jim Rericha Legacy Award, named after a longtime art teacher, which included a $100 cash prize. The museum also announced a Potter’s Panel on May 9 featuring master potters discussing the legacy of Abraham Cohn, and the return of its Art and Treasures fundraiser starting May 30.

Zurbarán review: Even the godless will be enraptured by this drama

The article reviews a major exhibition of 17th-century Spanish painter Francisco de Zurbarán, highlighting his dramatic religious works such as a stark crucifixion, a depiction of St. Peter crucified upside down, and a series of saintly princesses. It notes the exhibition's effective hanging, the artist's use of vivid color and theatrical lighting, and includes recently attributed works like a mysterious giant head. The review emphasizes the blend of high drama, emotion, and Catholic piety in Zurbarán's paintings, as well as his still lifes that rival those of Velázquez.

Ljubljana Art Week, what to see and where to go during the city’s week of art

The article is a preview guide for Ljubljana Art Week, a city-wide art event in Ljubljana, Slovenia. It provides recommendations on what to see and where to go during the week, highlighting key exhibitions, galleries, and cultural venues participating in the event.

You Need To See This Queensland Artist’s New Solo Exhibition

Mitchell Fine Art in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley is hosting a free solo exhibition titled 'Unbound' by Sunshine Coast-based artist Odessa Mahony-de Vries, running from May 5 to May 16, 2026. The show features large-scale abstract expressionist oil paintings, with a launch event on May 8 offering the public a chance to meet the artist. Mahony-de Vries, a finalist in the 2025 Redland Art and 2024 Stanthorpe Art Prize, creates works that balance control and unpredictability, leaving earlier brushstrokes visible to embed the history of each piece.

Berlin Institutions Join Together to Form Museum Quarter

Berliner Institutionen schließen sich zu Museumsquartier zusammen

Several museums in Berlin are joining forces to form a new "MuseumsMeileMitte" (Museum Mile Mitte) district. The participating institutions are the Museum für Naturkunde, the Hamburger Bahnhof, the Futurium, and the Medizinhistorisches Museum der Charité. The initiative will launch on June 13 with a neighborhood festival offering free admission to all four venues, which are located within a 10-15 minute walk of each other near the Hauptbahnhof.

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.

Condemned by Francoism, a writer rehabilitated by the Spanish Congress

Condamné par le franquisme, un écrivain réhabilité par le Congrès espagnol

The Spanish Congress has officially rehabilitated Cipriano Salvador (1894-1975), a Republican intellectual wrongly accused by the Franco regime of stealing a Renaissance painting he actually saved. During the Spanish Civil War, Salvador hid Fernando Yáñez's "La Santa Generación" (c. 1525-1532) from destruction. After Franco's victory, a priest sold the work to the Prado Museum for 15,000 pesetas, while Salvador was arrested, sentenced to death (later commuted to 30 years), and spent seven years in prison. He died in 1975 without exoneration. The rehabilitation motion passed with 32 votes in favor, 3 against, and 1 abstention, with only far-right party Vox opposing.

A&E: Frederick Hammersley painting exhibition at The Fred

Frederick Hammersley, an American artist who served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II, met Pablo Picasso in occupied Paris while making signs for the war effort. The article announces an exhibition of Hammersley's paintings at The Fred, highlighting this historical connection between the two artists.

Historic Northumberland figure inspires art exhibition

An art exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford, will be held at Etal Village Hall in Northumberland on May 24. The free event features 30 finalist works—ranging from film and paintings to textiles and sculpture—submitted by artists from across northern England and the Scottish Borders. The winner will receive the Louisa Waterford Prize, and visitors can vote for the People's Prize. The exhibition is organized by The Tin Shed, a collective that supports artists and makers through online studios and pop-up events.

World-renowned photographer Roger Ballen will visit Latvia with a lecture at ISSP and a retrospective exhibition at the Mark Rothko Art Centre

World-renowned photographer Roger Ballen will visit Latvia in June 2025 for a public lecture at the contemporary photography platform ISSP in Riga, followed by a major retrospective exhibition titled "The Other Mind: Roger Ballen. Retrospective" at the Mark Rothko Art Centre in Daugavpils. The lecture, held on June 6, offers a rare opportunity to hear Ballen discuss his creative process and over fifty years of work, while the exhibition, running from June 5 to August 30, spans his career from early documentary works to his signature "documentary fiction" and recent color photography.

Art fair showcases Beijing’s evolution as cultural destination - China Daily

The Beijing Dangdai Art Fair opened on Thursday at the National Agricultural Exhibition Center, running through Sunday. It features a wide range of works from late artist Zao Wou-ki’s tiny sketch drafts to large-scale installation art and robot pieces co-developed by artists and tech companies. Galleries from Beijing’s 798 art zone, other Chinese cities, and international institutions are participating. The fair also marks the launch of the 2026 Beijing Art Season, which includes Beijing Design Week and Gallery Weekend Beijing, and offers an off-site exhibition at WONDER · China World Mall through May 31.

Artist celebrates 21 years with Project Art Works in new Hastings exhibition

Project Art Works in Hastings is presenting "The Twenty-One Year Itch," a solo exhibition by artist Charlotte Stephens, running from 22 May to 13 June 2026. The show marks Stephens' 21-year association with the organization, bringing together key paintings from over two decades of her studio practice, including portraits, studies of nature, and large-scale process-led works. Stephens joined Project Art Works in 2005 as one of its original artist collaborators and has also served as an advisor to the board of trustees.

Cagecircle: Composition for an Exhibition

An exhibition titled "Cagecircle: Composition for an Exhibition—curated by chance!" will open on June 27, 2026, at Bard College’s Stevenson Library in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, as part of Upstate Art Weekend. The show features archival items from twenty-two collections, selected using John Cage's chance procedures, including works by Marcel Duchamp, Hannah Arendt’s kitchen cabinet door, a death mask, and an architecture model of a garage. The opening includes free performances of Cage’s "Lecture on Nothing" and "Extended Lullaby."

From Brâncuși to Neo-Constructivism: National Museum of Contemporary Art opens new exhibition season

The National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC) in Romania will launch its new exhibition season on May 23, featuring seven exhibitions that highlight key figures in Romanian contemporary art. Central projects include "Campo Santo" by Călin Dan, a retrospective of Victoria and Marian Zidaru, and a show dedicated to neo-constructivist Roman Cotoșman. The season also includes an anniversary project marking 150 years since Constantin Brâncuși's birth, titled "BOÎTE. BOX. BRÂNCUȘI." The exhibitions span multiple floors and explore themes of memory, spirituality, abstraction, and contemporary reinterpretations of artistic heritage.

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.

24 Hours with Jewel at the 2026 Venice Biennale Festival

Singer-songwriter Jewel has transformed into a multimedia artist, presenting a solo exhibition titled '24 Hours with Jewel' at the 2026 Venice Biennale. The show features 34 new works, including paintings, sculptures, and kinetic installations, with the centerpiece 'Heart of the Ocean'—an eight-foot kinetic sculpture created in collaboration with scientists from NASA, NOAA, Stanford, and UC Berkeley that translates real-time oceanographic data into light and sound. V Magazine followed Jewel for 24 hours as she prepared for her Biennale debut, documenting her day from rooftop meditations and water taxi rides with her son to private patron tours and an opening night performance in a custom Schiaparelli dress.

Chuck Connelly Masterpiece “Coliseum” Comes Out of Storage for First Time in 21 Years

Chuck Connelly's monumental 1994 painting "Coliseum" has been unveiled at One Art Space in Tribeca, New York, after spending 21 years in storage. The 90-by-108-inch oil on canvas, a signature work of the late American artist known for his fiercely expressive style, is now on public view for the first time since 2005. The May 2, 2026 unveiling was attended by family members including Adrienne Connelly, as well as notable figures such as MaryAnn Giella McCulloh, Mei Fung, and others.

Lifting Belly, Soft Bodies: Zuzanna Szary Talks with Wojciech Szymański

Polish painter Zuzanna Szary discusses her artistic journey and the intersection of queer identity, domesticity, and painting in an interview with Wojciech Szymański. Szary recounts discovering her lesbian identity in junior high and turning to painting after a period of clinical depression, eventually studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. Her work, which has evolved from portraits of partners to still lifes centered on food and home, explores themes of softness, sensuality, and the politics of the body, drawing inspiration from figures like Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas.

Gallery at the heart of Changfeng mixed-use development opens to the public

Jia Art, a new gallery designed by Foster + Partners, has opened in Shanghai's Putuo District as part of the Changfeng mixed-use development. The 5,000-square-meter building features flexible exhibition, event, and educational spaces, with a design inspired by spring blessing flowers found in the local park. Its petal-like form, tubular glass ribs, and central glass skylight create a dynamic, light-filled environment that houses both contemporary and traditional art.

Penarth artist holds first exhibition after a lifetime of painting

Stephen Stokes, a 66-year-old retired kitchen business owner from Penarth, Wales, has staged his first-ever art exhibition after a lifetime of painting. The show, held at Llanover Hall Arts Centre in Cardiff, features works spanning decades, including portraits, still lifes, and scenes painted from life. Stokes, who studied at art college in Liverpool in the 1980s, was inspired by post-Impressionist masters like Matisse, Van Gogh, and Monet. Around 80 people attended the opening, and several visitors expressed interest in purchasing his work, though he had not initially priced the pieces.

Why We Need Corporate Art Collections

The article traces the history and significance of corporate art collections, beginning with Deutsche Bank's acquisition of 57 early drawings by Joseph Beuys in the late 1970s, which led to the formal launch of its collection in 1980. Today, the Deutsche Bank Collection comprises over 57,000 objects displayed in 500 locations across 40 countries, and the bank sponsors events like the Frieze Art Fair. The piece also highlights the role of American banker David Rockefeller, who inaugurated Chase Manhattan Bank's Art at Work program in 1959, and notes that corporate collecting has deep roots in Renaissance banking, with institutions like Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena commissioning art for their offices.

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."

All you need to know about world’s highest art biennale 2026 that is set to be hosted in Ladakh

The sā Ladakh Biennale, billed as the world's highest art biennale, returns to Ladakh from August 1-10, 2026, after a previous edition. Held at 3,600 meters above sea level, the event transforms the corridor between Leh and Kargil into an open-air exhibition titled 'Signals from Another Star', curated by Vishal K Dar and Tsering Motup across eight locations including Basgo, Lamayuru, and Kargil. It features 24 artists, including international figures like Jitish Kallat, Anna Jermolaewa, Peter Kogler, and Agnieszka Kurant, alongside local artists such as Tundup Dorjay, Chemat Dorjey, and Stanzin Samphel. Works are created using natural materials like stone, clay, and wool, and are designed to eventually disintegrate, reflecting the fragile ecosystem.