Why these Confederate monuments from Richmond are headed to California

Several Confederate monuments removed from Richmond, Virginia, including the Vindicatrix sculpture from the Jefferson Davis Monument and the Matthew Fontaine Maury sculpture and globe, are being loaned to a national temporary art exhibition in Los Angeles. The Valentine and the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia are sending these artifacts, along with granite slabs from various monument bases, to be part of a show running from October to May that reimagines their place in history. More than 15 monuments from across the U.S. will be featured, and the museums have gathered over 6,000 survey responses from the community to guide future decisions.

Don’t Miss These August Museum Exhibits in New Orleans

The article highlights several must-see museum exhibits in New Orleans for August 2025, part of the city's Museum Month program. Featured shows include "Louisiana Contemporary 2025" at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, a juried exhibition of 53 works by 50 Louisiana artists; Vince Fraser's immersive Afro-surrealist installation "Ancestral Odyssey" at the New Orleans African American Museum; and Ben Depp's aerial photography series "Edge of Tomorrow: Aerial Views of Louisiana’s Changing Coastline" at The Historic New Orleans Collection.

World-first Ozzy Osbourne exhibition to open at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Two free exhibitions celebrating Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath will open in Birmingham, UK, timed to the band's historic homecoming concert at Villa Park. 'Working Class Hero' at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery displays Ozzy's Grammy Awards, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honors, platinum and gold discs, and rare photography. A separate outdoor photography exhibition in Victoria Square features archive images of all four founding Black Sabbath members, iconic album artwork, and band facts. A 40-meter street mural by Mr Murals on Navigation Street depicts the band's logo and portraits.

Meet at Mia: How One Museum Reimagined Summer Without a Blockbuster Exhibition

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) faced summer 2024 without a major blockbuster exhibition, a significant challenge since special exhibitions typically drive up to 30% of annual attendance. Programming manager Anna Dilliard responded by launching "Meet at Mia," a 16-week outdoor series of Thursday night events including concerts, film screenings, and community rides in the museum's courtyard. The initiative built on a successful pilot event in August 2023 and grew from 700 attendees to 1,500 at its first official event, transforming a potential attendance slump into a season of community engagement.

This art collector went from running his own marketing firm to opening galleries in Hong Kong and London

Calvin Hui, a Hong Kong native who began collecting art as a student with a print by Joan Miró, has turned his passion into a career. After buying his first 'serious' work—Jar with Horizontal Colour Bars (2005) by Farhad Moshiri—he expanded his collection and eventually opened 3812 Gallery in Hong Kong in 2011, specializing in Chinese contemporary art and ink works. In 2018, he and a co-founder opened a second gallery in London’s Mayfair, which is set to relocate to The Whiteley London. Hui previously ran his own public relations, events, and marketing firm before transitioning to the art world.

New Voices Help Museums Tell New (or Forgotten) Stories

Museums across the United States are increasingly turning to guest curators, community advisors, and outside scholars to reinterpret their collections, often highlighting marginalized or overlooked histories. The New York Times article profiles several institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Brooklyn Museum, that have invited new voices to rehang permanent collections or organize temporary exhibitions that challenge traditional narratives, such as centering Indigenous perspectives or recovering stories of enslaved people.

Above & Beyond, Wisconsin folk artist will explore Mexican immigrant experience in next cultural exhibit

Above & Beyond Children's Museum (ABCM) in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, will host a listening session on May 4, 2025, as it prepares the second iteration of its Culture Exchange Exhibit, this time focusing on the Mexican immigrant experience. The museum is partnering with Gabriela Marván, a Mexican artist from Viroqua and co-founder of the Mexican Folk Art Collective, who specializes in cartonería (paper sculpture). Marván will create monumental alebrijes, an ofrenda altar, and papel picado for the exhibit, which will be installed in November. The project also includes workshops, Aztec dance, bilingual story times, and loteria games, aiming to engage visitors in Mexican folk traditions over several years.

Student Visual Arts Exhibit at Autry Museum to Feature Local Student Artists

Student artists from 33 schools across Southern California, including several from the San Fernando Valley, will showcase their work at the ninth annual Student Visual Arts Exhibition at the Autry Museum of the American West. The exhibit, running from April 26 to June 1, features 191 pieces selected from 510 submissions, curated by Katherine Herman, the museum's senior outreach manager. The theme is "Visions of the Future," asking students to imagine the future of Los Angeles and the American West. The opening reception on April 26 includes the Barrio Mobile Art Studio from Self Help Graphics and Art, student DJs, and art-making activities.

L’architecte du Musée Gandur

The article covers several art news items from the May 2, 2026 issue of Le Journal des Arts, including the Whitney Biennial's perceived neutrality, the increasing complexity of art taxation in 2025, an interview with Bourges mayor Yann Galut about the resized Bourges 2028 project, the unveiling of a contemporary gallery at Angers Cathedral, the abandonment of the Frigos artist site in Paris, and a profile of auctioneer Hubert L'Huillier.

Une vétérane pour diriger un des musées du Smithsonian

Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, 75, will become the director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) in Washington, D.C., on September 8, ending a 17-month vacancy. Hartigan, currently the director of the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, began her career at SAAM as chief curator, where she developed collections of modern, contemporary, African American, and self-taught art.

Ouverture du Musée des Tissus

The Musée des Tissus (Museum of Fabrics) has opened its doors, marking the return of a specialized textile museum in Paris. The article also covers several other art-world developments: American Rousseau works returning to Paris, the outsourcing of museum reception services as a growing model, the New Museum's expansion, and Art Brussels adapting to contemporary trends.

The New Entrance of the Louvre

La nouvelle entrée du Louvre

The article, titled "La nouvelle entrée du Louvre," reports on the upcoming redesign of the main entrance to the Louvre Museum in Paris. It also covers several other art-world stories: the return of American Rousseau works to Paris, the growing trend of outsourcing museum reception services, the New Museum's expansion, the troubled Musée des Tissus project, and Art Brussels adapting to contemporary trends.

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.

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.

Los Angeles Sees Cultural Explosion: AI Art Museums, Immersive Exhibits, and Iconic Festivals Set to Redefine US Tourism

Los Angeles is undergoing a major cultural expansion in 2026, with several high-profile museum openings and immersive art experiences set to debut between June and December. Key developments include Dataland 3.0, the world's first dedicated Museum of AI Arts, created by Refik Anadol Studio at The Grand LA; the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a 100,000-square-foot gallery in Exposition Park designed by MAD Architects; and a new permanent installation by the art collective Meow Wolf. These are joined by recurring events such as LA Pride 2026, Cali Vibes 2026, the German Currents Film Festival, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, and the L.A. County Holiday Celebration, creating a dense cultural calendar.

Art Born of Pain: Frida Kahlo

This article is a promotional piece for the DW English program 'Arts Unveiled,' highlighting several upcoming segments. It announces the start of the 61st Venice Biennale, the world's largest art exhibition, and poses questions about its standout features and art's role in times of crisis. Other segments explore the American Dream as a nightmare on the 250th anniversary of US independence, and feature Indigenous artist Britta Marakatt-Labba, who creates embroidered polar landscapes reflecting Sámi culture.

Biennale, rules announced for Visitor's Lion. But dozens of artists withdraw

The Venice Biennale has announced the voting rules for the new Visitors' Lion awards, which replace the traditional Golden Lions after the original jury resigned before the opening. On the same day the popular voting opened, dozens of artists from the central exhibition 'In Minor Keys' and several National Pavilions announced their withdrawal from the competition in solidarity with the resigned jury, releasing a statement via e-flux on May 9, 2026. The voting system requires visitors to have attended both the Giardini and Arsenale venues, with anonymous voting open until November 22, 2026.

From galleries to guest rooms: The best art-inspired stays in Europe

A number of European hotels are integrating art collections and museum-quality experiences into their accommodations, offering travelers the chance to stay within or adjacent to art spaces. Notable examples include MACAM in Lisbon, Portugal, which combines a contemporary art museum with a hotel featuring the private collection of founder Armando Martins, including works by Marina Abramović and Paula Rego; the Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amistà in Verona, Italy, blending Renaissance architecture with avant-garde art; and the Elizabeth Arthotel in Ischgl, Austria, which has showcased art and sculpture since 1976 and recently added a rooftop commission by the artist duo NONOS.

‘Broadening access to contemporary art’: The best art-inspired stays in Europe

A Euronews Travel article highlights several European hotels that integrate contemporary art into the guest experience, positioning themselves as destinations for cultured travelers. Featured properties include the MACAM Hotel in Lisbon, which opened in March 2025 and shares a building with the Museu de Arte Contemporânea Armando Martins, offering guests access to a private collection spanning Portuguese and international art from the 19th century to the present. Other hotels mentioned are the Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amistà in Verona, blending Renaissance architecture with avant-garde works by artists like Andy Warhol, and the Elizabeth Arthotel in Ischgl, Austria, which has showcased art and sculpture since 1976 and recently added a rooftop commission by the artist duo NONOS.

Art News: A Preview Of The Lucas Museum Of Narrative Art and A Roberta Flack Auction at Julien’s

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a 300,000-square-foot institution designed by Ma Yansong of MAD Architects with Stantec, will open in Los Angeles' Exposition Park on September 22. The 11-acre campus includes a park by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA and will feature over 1,200 objects across 30 galleries, showcasing narrative art from ancient sculptures to modern cinema, drawn from the museum's founding collection. Separately, Julien's Auctions will host "Roberta Flack: Style, Art & Music," a no-reserve auction celebrating the singer's life and cultural impact, including her Bösendorfer Imperial Concert Grand Piano.

Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts Adds ‘Star Wars in Motion’ Exhibit to Opening Lineup

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art has announced a new exhibition titled "Star Wars in Motion" as part of its inaugural lineup, set to open on September 22, 2026, in Los Angeles's Exposition Park. The showcase will feature vehicle designs, props, costumes, and illustrations from the first six Star Wars films, including iconic items like Luke's Landspeeder and General Grievous's Wheel Bike. The museum, co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, will open with over 30 exhibitions and more than 1,200 objects spanning visual storytelling from ancient sculptures to modern cinema.

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Announces First Exhibitions Curated by George Lucas

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, set to open on September 22, 2026, in Los Angeles's Exposition Park, has announced its inaugural exhibition schedule curated by George Lucas. The museum will showcase a wide range of narrative art, from Americana works by Thomas Hart Benton and Norman Rockwell to documentary photography by Gordon Parks, Dorothea Lange, and Robert Capa, as well as public murals by Diego Rivera and Judith F. Baca. The collection also includes production designs, props, and costumes from the Lucas Archives, alongside illustrations by Frank Frazetta, Maxfield Parrish, and N.C. Wyeth, children's literature art by Beatrix Potter and Jacob Lawrence, and comics and manga by Jack Kirby, Alison Bechdel, and Mœbius.

ai weiwei confronts memory, catastrophe, and resilience at MAXXI l'aquila exhibition

Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei presents a new exhibition at MAXXI L'Aquila, titled 'Ai Weiwei: Confronting Memory, Catastrophe, and Resilience.' The show explores themes of collective trauma, historical catastrophe, and human resilience through a range of media including sculpture, installation, and documentary works. It draws on Ai's ongoing engagement with political dissent, migration, and the fragility of cultural memory.

Nelson Félix’s Desire for Ascent

Nelson Félix's exhibition "Pedra de Rumo" is on view at Galeria Almeida & Dale, featuring new sculptures in Carrara marble, bronze, and living plants. The show explores themes of orientation and boundary-breaking, drawing on the artist's long-standing practice of mapping extreme geographical points. The title references Portuguese sailors' navigation stones, and the exhibition extends beyond the gallery to include a metal tip and seedling planted at a point determined by lines drawn between the gallery and the Museum of Contemporary Art of USP, where Félix will have another solo show in May 2025.

MKFA Awards Grants: Supporting innovation and community engagement

The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts (MKFA) has announced the recipients of its 2026 Infinite Expansion Grants (IEG), awarding funding to nine contemporary arts organizations across Los Angeles County. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the grant program, with six of the nine organizations receiving MKFA funding for the first time. The grantees include Art in the Park, Clockshop, and Color Compton, among others, each undertaking projects that explore themes of place, memory, diaspora, and community resilience through exhibitions, installations, and public programming. The grants were selected by a jury of five arts professionals including Tiffany Barber, Jibz Cameron, Justen Leroy, Jenny Lin, and Rodrigo Valenzuela.

In Dancehall and Reggaetón’s Evolution, MCA Chicago Charts a Global Awakening

The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago has opened "Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón," an ambitious exhibition exploring the historical evolution of dancehall and reggaetón as cultural movements and their influence on contemporary art. Curated by Carla Acevedo-Yates, the show features over 40 international artists including Isaac Julien, Edra Soto, Alberta Whittle, Carolina Caycedo, supakid, and Lee "Scratch" Perry, tracing the genres' roots from Afro-Caribbean traditions through their emergence in Jamaica, Panama, and Puerto Rico to global mainstream dominance by figures like Daddy Yankee and Bad Bunny.

Metro Events Guide: From art exhibitions to house shows, we’ve got you covered this week in Metro Detroit

This week's Metro Detroit events guide highlights several art exhibitions and cultural happenings from April 23–30. The Elaine L. Jacob Gallery at Wayne State University presents 'Keith Haring: Subway Drawings' (April 17–August 15), featuring 25 drawings created by Haring between 1980 and 1985. Wayne State also hosts its 2026 Undergraduate Art Exhibition (April 24–May 8) showcasing student work in fine arts, art history, and design, with an opening reception on April 24. That same evening, the Wayne State University Graduate Artist Coalition holds an open studio and gallery event with live music and refreshments. Additional events include a 12-hour party at Marble Bar & Lincoln Factory, a house music event by Specter at an undisclosed location, an R&B night at Big Pink, and an Oakland University Film Showcase.

Jennifer Gilbert selling art worth millions to aid Detroit nonprofit

Detroit philanthropist and entrepreneur Jennifer Gilbert is selling major artworks from her personal collection at Sotheby’s this spring, with proceeds going to Lumana, a new Detroit-based arts nonprofit she founded. The collection will be offered across multiple sales, including The Now and Contemporary Evening Auction and Contemporary Day Auction in May, followed by Important Design in June. Highlights include Kenneth Noland’s 1958 painting “Circle” (estimated $4–6 million, a record for the artist) and Joan Mitchell’s 1976 painting “Loom II” (estimated $5–7 million).

Magazzino Italian Art to feature works by pivotal figure of 1960s Arte Povera movement

Magazzino Italian Art in Cold Spring, New York, is launching a major exhibition titled “Tutto Boetti 1966–1993,” dedicated to the influential Arte Povera artist Alighiero Boetti. The show features approximately 30 works, including large-scale sculptures like the 1966 'Pavimento Luminoso' and his signature textiles, tracing his career from his 1967 debut in Turin to his final years. The museum will also host a symposium in collaboration with the Fondazione Alighiero e Boetti to discuss the artist's enduring legacy.

Celebrating ‘stars’ in student art

The Association of Student Artists is hosting its 32nd annual exhibition, titled “Among the Stars,” at Kingsford High School. The event showcases over 600 artworks from students across nine regional school districts, featuring a diverse range of mediums including oil painting, sculpture, digital art, and metal smithing. The program includes a public viewing, an awards ceremony for Merit and Best in Show honors, and portfolio reviews conducted by representatives from several major regional universities.