Institutions Across the US to Benefit from Transformative $116 Million Gift to National Gallery

Billionaire collector and National Gallery of Art trustee Mitchell P. Rales has donated $116 million to the museum. The gift, the largest programming endowment in the institution's history, will fund the 'Across the Nation' initiative, which loans works from the National Gallery's permanent collection to small and midsize museums across the United States for two-year periods at no cost to the borrowing institutions.

Liz Munsell Named Vice President of Brooklyn’s Powerhouse Arts

Liz Munsell has been appointed Vice President of Curatorial Arts and Programs at Brooklyn's Powerhouse Arts, a creative nonprofit in Gowanus. She will develop public programming, exhibitions, and community engagement, while overseeing artist residencies and art fairs, including the upcoming Brooklyn Fine Art Print Fair. She succeeds Diya Vij, who left to become New York City's cultural affairs commissioner.

Ackland's new exhibit displays modern art from Robertson Scholarship founder's collection

Ackland Art Museum at UNC-Chapel Hill has opened a new exhibition, "Color Triumphant," featuring 54 modern artworks from the collection of Julian and Josie Robertson. Julian Robertson, a UNC alumnus and founder of the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program, died in 2022. The exhibition traces the evolution of modern art from the late 19th century to the present, displaying works by 33 artists including Pablo Picasso, Oscar-Claude Monet, and Frank Stella. It includes paintings, sculptures, and works on paper, and is part of a traveling exhibition that will also visit Salisbury, North Carolina; San Antonio, Texas; and Austin, Texas.

60% of Sudan’s National Museum Looted, Report Says

60% of Sudan’s National Museum Looted, Report Says

Over 60% of the holdings of the Sudan National Museum in Khartoum have been looted during the country's ongoing civil war. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which controlled the capital for two years, deliberately targeted high-value portable objects like gold and jewelry, stripping storage areas while leaving less portable artifacts behind. Although the museum building remains standing, tens of thousands of antiquities from its collection of 150,000 objects were plundered, with some appearing for sale online.

Art Fund Launches ‘Empowering Curators’ Program for Global Majority Professionals

Art Fund, a British charity, launched the Empowering Curators program, a five-year initiative creating twenty multi-year curatorial roles for senior to mid-career professionals from global majority backgrounds. Ten initial fellows have been announced, with placements at major institutions including Tate Liverpool, the Whitworth Art Gallery, and Royal Museums Greenwich, where they will develop exhibitions, installations, and academic programs.

Barbara Chase-Riboud Speaks Out on Declining US Biennale Pavilion

Sculptor and author Barbara Chase-Riboud has publicly declined an invitation to represent the United States at the 2026 Venice Biennale, stating it was "not the moment" for her to do so. She was among the artists initially considered by the newly formed American Arts Conservancy (AAC), which is organizing the US pavilion after both she and photographer William Eggleston turned down the opportunity.

Where to find art gallery inspiration in Luxembourg

A guide to art galleries in Luxembourg highlights year-round venues like Villa Vauban, which focuses on 17th-19th century Old Masters, and Casino Luxembourg – Forum of Contemporary Art, known for its international contemporary program and experimental approach. The article also promotes Luxembourg Art Week, taking place November 21-23, 2025 at Glacis, featuring 77 galleries from 15 countries, and the Salon du Cercle Artistique de Luxembourg from November 1-16, 2025 at Tramsschapp.

The Humboldt Forum is Already Under Fire

"Das Humboldt Forum wird schon beschossen"

The architectural firm J. Mayer H. and partners Jürgen Mayer H. and Hans Schneider have won the eighth 'Kunst-am-Bau' competition for Berlin’s Humboldt Forum. Their winning installation, titled "Südpfeil" (South Arrow), features a 3.6-meter-long abstract arrow embedded high in the building's facade. The work references the 19th-century discovery of 'Pfeilstörche'—migratory storks that returned to Europe with African arrows in their bodies—which provided the first scientific proof of global migration routes.

Glasgow International announces full 2026 programme

Glasgow International has revealed the complete programme for its 11th edition, scheduled for 5-21 June 2026. The biennial, now under the direction of Helen Nisbet, will feature new works by artists including Kate Cooper, Tanoa Sasraku, and Luke Fowler, and will explore themes of memory, kinship, and cultural resonance. The festival also includes the 'Gatherings' event series and a new 'Special Projects' initiative highlighting community-embedded organizations in Glasgow.

Wagner Foundation Names Winners of $75,000 2026 Arts Fellowships

The Wagner Foundation has selected artists Tomashi Jackson, Lucy Kim, and Yu-Wen Wu as the recipients of its 2026 Wagner Arts Fellowships. Each artist, based in the Boston area, will receive an unrestricted $75,000 grant, professional development support, and will participate in a group exhibition at the Wagner Gallery in Cambridge from August to December 2026.

James Taylor-Foster to Lead Hong Kong’s Para Site

Para Site, a prominent Hong Kong art organization, has appointed James Taylor-Foster as its new executive director. The British Swedish curator and writer succeeds Billy Tang, concluding a leadership transition period managed by deputy director Junni Chen. Taylor-Foster will relocate from Stockholm, where he worked at ArkDes and Moderna Museet, to assume the role this summer.

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Russia has announced it will reopen its national pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale after a four-year hiatus following the invasion of Ukraine. The pavilion, which remained closed in 2022 and was loaned to Bolivia in 2024, will host an exhibition titled "The Tree is Rooted in the Sky" featuring a "musical festival" with over 50 participants from Russia and countries including Argentina, Brazil, Mali, and Mexico.

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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.

Italy’s Uffizi Hit by Cyberattack, Says Security Wasn’t Compromised

The Uffizi Galleries in Florence suffered a significant cyberattack in February, with hackers reportedly stealing access codes, internal maps, CCTV camera information, and the institution's entire photographic archive. The attackers issued a ransom demand to director Simone Verde. In response, the museum moved valuable jewels to the Bank of Italy, sealed emergency exits at the Palazzo Pitti with bricks, and closed a section of the palace, though it attributes some actions to planned renovations and fire-safety compliance.

Louvre Plans Its ‘Most Ambitious’ Painting Restoration Ever: A Refresh for Rubens’s Medici Cycle

The Louvre Museum has announced a four-year restoration project for Peter Paul Rubens's monumental 'Marie de' Medici Cycle,' comprising 24 large-scale paintings. The works will be removed from public view starting this fall as the museum transforms their dedicated gallery into an on-site restoration studio to address yellowed varnishes and discordant past retouching.

Lubaina Himid on Representing Great Britain at the 61st Venice Biennale

Lubaina Himid will represent Great Britain at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026. She plans to exhibit a new installation of large, multi-panel paintings and works on found objects, accompanied by a sound piece by Magda Stawarska, all inspired by her lifelong exploration of belonging. The work aims to navigate melancholy and deep remembering, inviting visitors to bring their own experiences into the pavilion.

Nations Charged With Crimes Against Humanity Will Not Be Considered for Venice Biennale Awards

The jury for the 2026 Venice Biennale announced it will not consider contributions from countries whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity for the Golden and Silver Lion awards, effectively excluding Israel and Russia. The decision, framed as a commitment to human rights and aligned with curator Koyo Kouoh's vision, comes amid broader controversy over participating pavilions, including American artists declining to represent the US and the EU withdrawing a $2.3 million grant over Russia's involvement.

EU Cuts Venice Biennale Funding Over Russia Involvement

The European Commission has withdrawn a $2.3 million grant from the Venice Biennale, following through on a threat made last week. The funding cut is a direct response to the Biennale's decision to readmit Russian artists as a government-funded delegation for its 2026 edition, which the EU argues violates sanctions and provides Russia a cultural platform during its war against Ukraine.

Title, Theme Announced for 2026 Gwangju Biennale

The Gwangju Biennale has announced the title and theme for its 2026 edition, which will run from September 5 to November 15. The title, 'You Must Change Your Life,' is taken from a Rainer Maria Rilke poem. Artistic director Ho Tzu Nyen stated the event will focus on 'change' and 'practice,' exploring art's transformative power through a curated selection of works from 45 artists and collectives, the smallest cohort in the event's history.

Mikala Tai to curate 2027 TarraWarra Biennial

Mikala Tai has been appointed curator of the tenth TarraWarra Biennial, scheduled to run from July 31 to November 14, 2027, at the TarraWarra Museum of Art in Healesville, Australia. Tai is a Sydney-based curator, writer, and academic specializing in contemporary Australian and Asian art.

Helen Legg appointed artistic director of Royal Academy

Helen Legg has been named the new artistic director of the Royal Academy of Arts in London, starting in June. She joins from Tate Liverpool, where she served as director since 2018, and brings prior leadership experience from Spike Island in Bristol and curatorial work at Ikon Gallery in Birmingham.

Lawsuit Alleges DOGE Cancelled $349,000 HVAC Grant to Museum after ChatGPT Flagged It As DEI

Lawsuit Alleges DOGE Cancelled $349,000 HVAC Grant to Museum after ChatGPT Flagged It As DEI

The High Point Museum in North Carolina had a $349,000 federal grant to replace its HVAC system canceled after staff at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) used ChatGPT to evaluate the proposal. According to a federal lawsuit, the AI chatbot flagged the climate-control project as related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, leading to its termination, despite the grant's stated purpose of preserving the museum's collection.

UK Museums Face Criticism For Collections Of Human Remains

A Guardian investigation revealed that 241 UK museums, universities, and councils collectively hold over 263,000 items of human remains, with at least 37,000 originating from overseas, including former British colonies. The Natural History Museum in London houses the largest collection of non-European remains, followed by the University of Cambridge and the British Museum. Records are often incomplete, with the origins of 16,000 items unconfirmed and many institutions unable to provide exact figures due to poor documentation.

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Artforum announced the departure of editor-in-chief Tina Rivers Ryan at the end of February. She will be replaced by executive editor Rachel Wetzler and editor Daniel Wenger, who will serve as co-editors, with the editor-in-chief title being retired.

THREE PERUVIAN GALLERIES AT PINTA LIMA 2026 A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE LOCAL AND THE GLOBAL

Three prominent Peruvian galleries—Galería Enlace, Forum, and Livia Benavides—are presenting curated selections of artists at the Pinta Lima 2026 art fair. Their proposals blend emerging and established artists from Peru and abroad, working across painting, sculpture, installation, and new media, to foster a dialogue between local traditions and global contemporary practices.

'The human-machine creative entanglement': artist Sougwen Chung on her technology-based practice

Artist Sougwen Chung is presenting new work, including the 10-metre scroll 'Recursion 0,' at Art Basel Hong Kong's new Zero 10 sector. The piece, created with brainwave data, will be completed live at the fair, showcasing her ongoing exploration of human-machine collaboration.

Hired Amid Great Fanfare, Patricia Marroquin Norby, Met’s Inaugural Curator of Native American Art, Quietly Left

Patricia Marroquin Norby, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's inaugural full-time associate curator of Native American art, quietly left her position in December. Her departure followed independent investigations, including a 2024 report from the Tribal Alliance Against Frauds, which challenged her claims of Native American ancestry. Both Norby and the museum cited health concerns as the reason for her exit.

Lost Page From Archimedes Palimpsest Reappears In French Museum

A researcher has identified a long-lost page from the Archimedes Palimpsest, a 10th-century manuscript containing copies of the Greek mathematician's treatises. The page, held at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Blois, France, was matched to a leaf documented in 1906 photographs and contains diagrams from "On the Sphere and the Cylinder" on one side and a later-added religious illustration on the other.

Gabrielle Goliath to Show Work Banned from Venice Biennale Outside Main Exhibition

South African artist Gabrielle Goliath will present her work 'Elegy' at the Chiesa di Sant’Antonin in Venice, after her government-appointed exhibition for the South African pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale was abruptly canceled. The pavilion will remain empty for the event's duration, while Goliath's project, sponsored by the Bertha Foundation and London's Ibraaz, will be shown nearby from May to July.

Institute of Museum and Library Services Allowed to Operate: Settlement

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has reached a legal settlement allowing it to resume full operations after being targeted for dismantling by a presidential executive order. The agreement, facilitated by a lawsuit from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, reverses planned mass layoffs and the termination of federal grants that support thousands of institutions across the United States.