Yayoi Kusama survey at National Gallery of Victoria becomes best-selling art exhibition in Australian history

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne has announced that its Yayoi Kusama survey exhibition, titled "Yayoi Kusama," sold 570,537 tickets, making it the most-visited ticketed art exhibition in Australian history. The show, which ran from 15 December 2024 to 21 April 2025, surpassed the NGV's own record of 462,262 tickets for "Van Gogh and the Seasons" in 2017. Featuring 200 artworks spanning nearly nine decades of the artist's career, including ten infinity rooms, the exhibition was the largest the NGV has ever dedicated to a single living artist. The NGV also acquired two major works from the show: "Dancing Pumpkin" (2020) and "Narcissus Garden" (1966/2024).

met gala reveals 2026 dress code fashion is art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced "Fashion is Art" as the official dress code for the 2026 Met Gala, complementing the Costume Institute’s upcoming exhibition, "Costume Art." Curated by Andrew Bolton, the show will feature approximately 400 objects that juxtapose couture fashion with traditional artworks and artifacts. The exhibition will be the first to inhabit the museum's new Condé M. Nast Galleries and is structured around a "typology of bodies," exploring how fashion interacts with various human forms ranging from classical nudes to aging bodies.

mcny tyger shipwreck research

The Museum of the City of New York (MCNY) is launching a new research project to re-examine a 17th-century shipwreck discovered during a 1916 subway dig in Lower Manhattan. The wreck, long believed to be the Dutch ship *Tyger*—one of the earliest European vessels to anchor in New York Harbor—was excavated by subway foreman James A. Kelly and later donated to MCNY in the 1940s. In partnership with the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE), the museum will apply advanced scientific techniques, including dendrochronology and wood species analysis, to the ship's timbers to confirm their origins and better understand the vessel's history.

defaults on art loans soar impact of australias social media ban on museums writer takes aim at singapore biennial morning link for january 6 2025

The Financial Times reports that half of non-bank lenders offering loans against artworks experienced defaults in 2024, up from 17% two years earlier, according to the Art and Finance Report 2025 by Deloitte Private and ArtTactic. The art market has shrunk 12% to $57.5 billion since 2022, dragging down collateral values and triggering margin calls. Meanwhile, Australia's social media ban for under-16s raises questions for museums, with the Art Gallery of New South Wales noting minimal impact but the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia more reliant on youth engagement. Other news includes Vanessa Horabuena's speed-painted Jesus sold for $2.75 million at Mar-a-Lago, the cancellation of NFT Paris and RWA Paris 2026, and a critical column calling for the end of the Singapore Biennial.

Director of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum to depart in October

Janne Sirén, director of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, will step down in October after 13 years leading the institution. The museum announced his departure on April 29, noting that the board will begin a search for a new director this summer. Sirén oversaw a transformative period including a $230 million campus expansion completed in 2023, designed by OMA and Shohei Shigematsu, which added a new building and reconnected the grounds. During his tenure, the museum's collection grew, staff expanded from 62 to nearly 200, the endowment rose from $31.3 million to $79.3 million, and annual visitors reached 340,000. He also launched a public art department, the Innovation Lab, and the AKG Nordic Art and Culture Initiative.

New Museum extension opens, NextGen collectors, a Wardian Case in Oxford – podcast

The New Museum in New York has opened a major new extension designed by architects Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas of OMA. The expansion is inaugurated with a new exhibition titled "New Humans: Memories of the Future," curated by the museum's artistic director Massimiliano Gioni.

Behind the Scenes of ‘The Sopranos’: A New Exhibition Revisits TV’s Favorite Mob Drama

The Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) in New York has opened a new exhibition titled 'Stories and Set Designs for The Sopranos.' The show delves into the creation of the landmark HBO series, featuring original research materials, concept art, ground plans, and scripts that reveal the intense preparatory work by creator David Chase and his team. It reconstructs key locations like the Soprano home, the Bada Bing strip club, and Dr. Melfi's office to illustrate the show's transition from pilot to full series production.

french audit louvre robbery security flaws no cameras

A leaked French government audit reveals that the Louvre Museum's security system is "outdated and inadequate," with significant gaps in CCTV coverage. The report, conducted by France's Court of Auditors and set for public release next month, found that modernization of security systems had been repeatedly postponed, and cameras were mostly installed only when rooms were refurbished. In the Denon Wing, home to the Mona Lisa, one-third of rooms lack cameras; in the Richelieu Wing, 75 percent of rooms are without them. Only 138 additional cameras have been installed since 2019. The audit was initiated by Louvre president and director Laurence des Cars after she assumed the role in 2021. The findings follow a robbery of French crown jewels from the museum and come amid staff strikes over understaffing and overcrowding.

parties moma ps1 50th anniversary

MoMA PS1 kicked off its 50th anniversary year with an intimate cocktail event at the Tribeca townhome of board member Michi Jigarjian, hosted by the museum's patron group the Greater New Yorkers. Over 100 guests—including artists, collectors, dealers, and curators—gathered for remarks from Director Connie Butler, Chief Curator Ruba Katrib, and co-chairs Leslie Fritz, Ed Tang, and Amitha Raman, followed by a performance by experimental cellist Dorothy Carlos. Attendees received a first look at the upcoming quinquennial exhibition "Greater New York 2026," which will feature over 50 New York-based artists, with a partial list including Farah Al Qasimi, Fields Harrington, Hardy Hill, Sofia Sinibaldi, and Julia Wachtel.

New Met Gala fashion exhibit seeks to ‘reclaim’ body types that art history has ignored

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute will launch a new fashion exhibition titled "Costume Art" at the 2026 Met Gala, curated by Andrew Bolton. The show features 400 items across sections exploring body types historically marginalized in art, including the corpulent, disabled, pregnant, and aging body. It debuts in the newly renovated Conde M. Nast galleries on the museum's main floor, with custom mannequins modeled on real individuals such as Sinéad Burke, Aariana Rose Philip, and Goddess Bunny. The exhibition pairs fashion garments with art objects to argue that fashion is art, and will be open to the public from May 10 for eight months.

Billionaire Collector Fred Eychaner Sued Over Chicago Museum Expansion

Billionaire philanthropist Fred Eychaner, founder of the private exhibition space Wrightwood 659 in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, is being sued by Lisa Berron, a condo owner who claims the museum's planned expansion will block natural light and skyline views from her top-floor home. Berron filed suit in Cook County Circuit Court in March, alleging that the expansion would rise above her roofline and sit just feet from her windows. Eychaner's team has already purchased two of the three units in her building and argues the project complies with existing zoning laws, while Berron reportedly rejected settlement offers and demanded nearly $4 million for her condo, which was appraised at around $1.2 million.

the lume controversial immersive digital art gallery indianapolis museum of art closed

The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields has officially closed The Lume, its controversial immersive digital art gallery, following the conclusion of its final exhibition on Indigenous Australian art. Since its 2021 launch, the high-tech space hosted popular digital spectacles featuring the works of Van Gogh, Monet, and Dalí, but it will now be repurposed for a new contemporary art initiative that the museum claims will expand how audiences experience art.

Fashion and art of Africa conquer Paris: 3 exhibitions in a single museum

Moda e arte dell’Africa conquistano Parigi: 3 mostre in un unico museo

The Musée Quai Branly in Paris is hosting "Africa Fashion," an exhibition originally produced by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in 2023. Adapted for the Parisian venue, the show draws on the museum's rich historical and photographic collections to explore African fashion from decolonization to the present, featuring clothing, textiles, music videos, and archival photography from across the continent.

In the Principality of Monaco, an exhibition where the great painter Poussin dialogues with contemporary art

Nel Principato di Monaco una mostra dove il grande pittore Poussin dialoga con l’arte contemporanea

The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco presents an exhibition titled "Le Sentiment de la Nature," which juxtaposes works by 17th-century French painter Nicolas Poussin and his followers with pieces by about thirty contemporary and 20th-century artists. The show is organized into six thematic sections—storms and nights, forests and gardens, seas and waterfalls, deserts and volcanoes, mountains, and flowers and butterflies—each exploring the ancient concept of "miracula naturae" (wonders of nature). Featured contemporary artists include Nan Goldin, Andreas Gursky, Thomas Demand, Sarah Moon, Mimmo Jodice, Giulio Paolini, Giorgio Andreotta Calò, and Fausto Melotti, with works spanning photography, painting, video, and sculpture. The exhibition runs until May 25, 2026, and is accompanied by a catalog published by Italian publisher Humboldt Books in collaboration with the museum.

The Black American Artists Who Dazzled Post-War Paris

An exhibition titled "Paris in Black: Internationalism and the Black Renaissance" at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Chicago celebrates the Black American artists, writers, and performers who moved to Paris after World War II to escape American racism. Curated by Danny Dunson, the show features over 100 artworks from the museum's permanent collection, including paintings by Archibald J. Motley Jr., sculptures by Richmond Barthé, Augusta Savage, and William Artis, and ephemera related to Josephine Baker. It traces the global influence of the Harlem Renaissance and the cross-pollination between Paris and U.S. cities like Chicago.

Le vedute veneziane di Francesco Guardi tornano in laguna da un museo di Lisbona

Ca' Rezzonico, the Museum of 18th-Century Venice, has opened its exhibition season with a selection of ten paintings by Francesco Guardi (1712–1793) on loan from the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon. The works, dated between 1770 and 1790, include iconic Venetian views such as the Festa della Sensa in Piazza San Marco and the Regata sul Canal Grande, showcasing Guardi's distinctive loose brushwork and atmospheric perspective. The exhibition also features drawings from civic collections, including Il Gran Teatro La Fenice and two watercolored sheets depicting Le nozze del duca di Polignac.

A new wing to solve the problems of the Galleria Borghese in Rome. Beautiful challenge, tedious controversy

Una nuova ala per risolvere i problemi della Galleria Borghese a Roma. Bella sfida, stucchevoli polemiche

The Galleria Borghese in Rome, one of Italy's most extraordinary museums, faces significant accessibility and capacity issues due to its historic 17th-century structure. The museum is difficult for visitors with disabilities, overcrowded, and forces visitors to book far in advance—often waiting over a month for a time slot—while many masterpieces remain in storage. In 2025, the engineering firm Proger offered to sponsor a feasibility study for a new wing, contributing nearly 900,000 euros to fund an international architecture competition and a technical-economic feasibility plan. The study, currently underway, aims to explore whether a new annex can be built within the protected Villa Borghese park to create new entrances, exhibition spaces, and services.

The Museums of Verona have a new director. "This city can become a cultural laboratory," says Lorenzo Balbi

I Musei di Verona hanno un nuovo direttore. “Questa città può diventare un laboratorio culturale”, dice Lorenzo Balbi

Lorenzo Balbi, currently director of MAMbo in Bologna, has been appointed as the new director of the Musei di Verona, a civic museum network that includes the Arena di Verona, Casa di Giulietta, Museo Archeologico al Teatro Romano, Museo Civico di Storia naturale, Museo degli Affreschi di G. B. Cavalcaselle, Museo di Castelvecchio, Museo Lapidario Maffeiano, and Galleria d’Arte Moderna Achille Forti. He will take office in September 2026, selected for his strategic vision to revitalize the system as a hub for cultural production, civic participation, and international dialogue.

Basquiat's intense works on paper are at the center of his first exhibition in Denmark

Le intense opere su carta di Basquiat sono al centro della sua prima mostra in Danimarca

The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark, is hosting "Headstrong," a retrospective of 50 works on paper by Jean-Michel Basquiat, running until May 17. The exhibition focuses on Basquiat's depictions of the human head and body, created between 1981 and 1983, and first shown posthumously in 1990. It is the first solo museum presentation of Basquiat in Scandinavia, featuring loans from private collections and international museums, highlighting a lesser-known aspect of the artist's practice.

In Warsaw, the Poster Museum reopens and it is the oldest in the world

A Varsavia riapre il Museo del Manifesto ed è il più antico del mondo

The Poster Museum in Wilanów, a suburb of Warsaw, has reopened after a major conservation restoration co-financed by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. Founded in 1968 as an autonomous institution from the National Museum in Warsaw, it is the oldest museum of its kind in the world. Its collection now holds approximately 63,000 posters from Poland and abroad, dating from the late 19th century to the present, including works by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Stasys Eidrigevičius. The reopening exhibition, "Polish Posters: The Collection," features 240 works spanning 130 years of Polish urban life, covering themes from politics and propaganda to cinema, theater, music, and fashion. The museum also hosts the International Poster Biennale, founded in 1966, with the next edition scheduled for 2027.

The New Exhibitions of the Pinacoteca Agnelli and the New Public Works on the Lingotto Park-Track: The Photos

Le nuove mostre della Pinacoteca Agnelli e le nuove opere pubbliche sulla pista-parco del Lingotto: le foto

The Pinacoteca Agnelli in Turin has launched a new exhibition program that includes the first major institutional retrospective in Italy dedicated to Swiss photographer Walter Pfeiffer, titled "In Good Company," running until September 13, 2026. Curated by Nicola Trezzi and Simon Castets, the show features over 100 photographs from the 1970s to today, blending iconic and unseen works that explore queer eroticism, everyday artifice, and collaborative image-making. Concurrently, the museum presents "Modigliani sottopelle. Quattro capolavori" as part of its "Beyond the Collection" series, placing four masterpieces by Amedeo Modigliani—including a loan from the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart and works from the Centre Pompidou—in dialogue with the permanent collection. Curated by Pietro Rigolo and Beatrice Zanelli, the exhibition takes an interdisciplinary approach combining art history, diagnostics, and scientific research, using an algorithm to analyze canvas weaves and propose a new dating for the iconic "Nu couché" acquired by Giovanni and Marella Agnelli in 1960.

Major News from International Museums: London's National Gallery Expands and Pompidou Opens in Seoul

Le grandi novità dei musei internazionali: cresce la National Gallery di Londra e il Pompidou apre a Seoul

The National Gallery in London has selected a design team led by Kengo Kuma and Associates, alongside BDP and MICA, to lead its massive £750 million expansion project titled 'Project Domani.' Chosen from 65 international entries, the winning proposal will transform the St Vincent House site into a new museum wing featuring a stepped Portland stone facade, public roof gardens, and light-filled galleries. The project coincides with the institution's bicentenary and has already secured half of its required funding through private and anonymous donations.

The New Victoria & Albert Museum Opens in April: Once Again in East London

Ad aprile inaugura il nuovo museo del Victoria&Albert. Ancora una volta nell’East London

The Victoria & Albert Museum has announced the official opening date for the V&A East Museum, a new five-story cultural landmark in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Designed by architects O’Donnell + Tuomey, the museum will debut on April 18, 2026, featuring two permanent galleries titled "Why We Make" that showcase over 500 objects ranging from Renaissance paintings to contemporary fashion by Vivienne Westwood. The entrance will be anchored by a monumental bronze sculpture by Thomas J Price, marking the start of a robust contemporary commission program.

What souvenirs did they bring home from the Grand Tour? An exhibition in Milan to find out

Quali souvenir si portavano a casa dal Grand Tour? A Milano una mostra per scoprirlo

The Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan has announced a major exhibition for 2026 dedicated to the Grand Tour, the historic educational journey undertaken by European aristocrats through Italy. Moving beyond traditional landscape paintings, the show explores the material culture of 18th and 19th-century travel, featuring maps, notebooks, luxury jewelry, and fans that served as high-end souvenirs. A centerpiece of the exhibition is Giovanni Paolo Panini’s masterpiece 'Roma Antica,' which will be presented alongside a cinematic reinterpretation by director Ferzan Özpetek.

After the Incredible Art Theft, the Magnani Rocca Foundation Invites the Public to Defend the Museum and Beauty

Dopo l’incredibile furto di opere d’arte la Fondazione Magnani Rocca invita il pubblico a difendere il museo e la bellezza

Three valuable paintings were stolen from the Fondazione Magnani Rocca in Mamiano di Traversetolo, Italy, in late March 2026. The stolen works are Pierre-Auguste Renoir's 'Les Poissons,' Paul Cézanne's 'Natura morta con ciliegie,' and Henri Matisse's 'Odissea sulla terrazza,' with a combined value estimated at several million euros. The Carabinieri's Cultural Heritage Protection Unit is investigating the theft, which occurred despite the presence of security personnel.

Everything to know about David Geffen Galleries as a new LACMA emerges

The Los Angeles Times reports on the upcoming David Geffen Galleries, a new building that will become the centerpiece of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) as it undergoes a major transformation. Designed by architect Peter Zumthor, the structure is part of a long-delayed, multi-billion-dollar renovation project that aims to modernize the museum's campus and consolidate its collection under one roof. The article details the timeline, design features, and the controversies surrounding the project's cost and scope.

What Can the New Dib Bangkok Do for Thai Art?

Dib Bangkok, a new contemporary art museum housed in a former steel warehouse, opened in December with its inaugural exhibition, (In)visible Presence. The show features 80 works by 40 artists from the collection of late founder Petch Osathanugrah, including pieces by James Turrell, Alicja Kwade, and Pinaree Santipak. Curated by director Miwako Tezuka, the exhibition emphasizes immersive, sensory experiences over passive observation, with works like Marco Fusinato's sound installation and Hugh Hayden's threshold piece. However, the museum's pan-global focus and sleek, tranquil setting initially distance visitors from the local Thai art scene.

France reckons with Nazi-looted art in a new Paris museum gallery

France has opened a new permanent gallery at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris dedicated to displaying Nazi-looted artworks that remain unclaimed. The gallery features 13 works from the MNR (Musées Nationaux Récupération) collection, including a painting by Alfred Stevens originally destined for Hitler's planned museum in Linz. The display is the first in the museum's history to show the backs of paintings, revealing stamps, labels, and inventory marks that trace how each piece moved from private Jewish homes into Nazi hands. The museum also launched its first research unit to trace rightful heirs, led by Ines Rotermund-Reynard.

Landmark exhibition of Alex Katz drawings at Colby College

Colby College Museum of Art in Waterville, Maine, will present “Alex Katz | Out of Sight,” a landmark exhibition of drawings by Alex Katz, on view from May 21 to October 11, 2026. The show brings together more than 80 works, including never-before-exhibited drawings from Katz’s personal collection, pieces from the museum’s holdings, and loans from private and institutional collections. It spans Katz’s career from high school sketches to recent portrait drawings, featuring preparatory studies, collages, cartoons, and related paintings, and is organized by Kiko Aebi, Katz Curator at the Colby Museum.

Explore 6 World Cup-inspired exhibits coming to Kansas City museums

Kansas City museums are launching six soccer-themed and World Cup-inspired exhibitions ahead of the world's largest soccer tournament arriving in the city this summer. Highlights include “The Beautiful Game” at the National World War I Museum and Memorial, which explores soccer's role during World War I; “The World in Kansas City” at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, featuring works by over 16 local international artists; “United We Play: Kicking It With The Trumans” at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum, celebrating sports unity through artifacts from Kansas City teams; and “Homeland: The Osage in Missouri” at The Museum of Kansas City, tracing Osage Nation history.