L.A.’s AI art museum DATALAND is opening next spring—with a trippy infinity room

DATALAND, the world's first museum dedicated to AI art, has announced it will open in spring 2026 at the Grand L.A. complex in Downtown Los Angeles, a delay from its original 2025 target. Founded by artist Refik Anadol and his wife Efsun Erkılıç, the 25,000-square-foot venue will feature five galleries, including an Infinity Room that incorporates AI-generated scents drawn from the studio's Large Nature Model, trained on data from 16 rainforests. DATALAND will also partner with Google Arts & Culture for an artist residency program, selecting three artists for six-month collaborations culminating in public displays.

Comment | Bristol's Spike Island has become an environmental beacon—here's why it makes financial sense for others to follow suit

Spike Island, a creative hub in Bristol housed in a historic tea packing factory, has become a model for environmental sustainability in the art world. Its director Nicole Yip commissioned an energy report during the Covid-19 pandemic, which revealed that 85% of the organization's emissions and a large portion of its running costs were due to heat loss through the roof. In response, Spike Island replaced the roof and installed solar panels, which have already saved 6,000 kilograms of CO2 emissions since March. The upgrades are now part of a larger capital masterplan developed with Max Fordham and 6a Architects, aiming to reduce heat loss by 50% over the next decade.

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The Dorset Museum & Art Gallery in England has launched a fundraising campaign to acquire a rare 15th-century Netherlandish altarpiece, known as *The Master of the Sherborne Almshouse Triptych*, valued at up to £3.5 million ($4.6 million). The work is set to be auctioned by Sotheby’s in an Old Master evening sale next month, and the museum aims to prevent it from entering a private collection or being exported. The triptych, which depicts five healings of Jesus Christ, was hidden during periods of iconoclastic destruction and rediscovered in St. John’s Almshouse in Sherborne in the 19th century; it has only left the site twice, for exhibitions at the Royal Academy in 1923 and the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2003.

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Louvre director Laurence des Cars defended the museum's security protocols in a New York Times interview following a recent robbery. She revealed that a comprehensive security review had already been initiated, including a master plan to add 100 cameras to the museum's perimeter, and that several companies had bid on the project before the theft occurred. However, she acknowledged that implementation has been slow due to the museum's scale and public procurement rules, with the full camera system not expected to be operational until the end of next year.

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The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Nigeria, will open its MOWAA Institute next week, the first completed building of a planned 15-acre campus that will also include the Rainforest gallery and other facilities by 2028. In advance of the opening, Antiquity magazine published an updated report on the MOWAA Archeological Project (2022–2024), a collaboration among MOWAA, the British Museum, and Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments, with Cambridge Archaeological Unit and Wessex Archaeology as delivery partners. The excavations, the first at the royal palace complex since the 1960s, used both digs and ground-penetrating radar, with radiocarbon dating revealing artifacts spanning from before the Benin Kingdom through its collapse and colonial and postcolonial eras.

New mural celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Taubman Museums’ permanent collection

The Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Virginia, has unveiled a new large-scale mural titled "Intersecting Terrain" by artist Mokha Laget. Commissioned to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the museum’s permanent collection, the geometric work draws inspiration from the local Blue Ridge Mountains and the architectural vision of the museum's designer, Randall Stout. The mural is situated in a public-facing space and is scheduled to remain on view for the next two years.

Hyde Collection celebrates young artists at annual H.S. Juried Show

The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls, New York, has opened its annual High School Juried Show, a long-standing tradition that showcases the creative talents of regional students. This year's exhibition features a diverse range of media, selected by professional jurors from a competitive pool of submissions from local school districts.

Los Angeles’s next generation of dealers forges new paths

Despite a wave of high-profile gallery closures and economic pressure from the shrinking entertainment industry, a new generation of Los Angeles art dealers is finding resilience through local community ties. While major outposts like Michael Werner and Sean Kelly have shuttered, local mainstays argue that the market is not failing but rather correcting itself against unrealistic expectations. Success in the current climate requires a physical presence and deep-rooted relationships that satellite galleries often struggle to maintain.

Fine Artist Vanessa Johansson's Debut Solo Exhibition

Fine artist Vanessa Johansson is presenting her debut solo exhibition in the Sky Garden Penthouse of Gramercy’s 200E20TH in New York City. The show features atmospheric acrylic abstract paintings, displayed in a residential setting that complements CetraRuddy’s contemporary architecture. Johansson, who studied at the Art Students League, will next participate in the group exhibition “Women and Abstraction” at Pierre Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris.

Emerging Voices at AMA

The Arlington Museum of Art (AMA) presents the Annual Juried UTA Student Exhibition from October 30, 2025, through February 22, 2026, featuring 27 graduate and undergraduate students from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). The exhibition was juried and curated by Clare Milliken, Assistant Curator at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, who selected works across bronze, blown glass, painting, photography, sculpture, and video art. UTA painting faculty Benjamin Terry coordinated the show for the second year, noting a shift toward introspective, material-focused works compared to last year's politically charged selections.

London's National Gallery announces £750m fundraising drive towards new wing and expanded collection

London's National Gallery has announced a £750m fundraising drive, called Project Domani, to expand its collection into the 20th and 21st centuries and build a new wing on the site of St Vincent House, north of the Sainsbury Wing. Around half the target has already been pledged, including two record £150m donations from the Crankstart foundation and the Julia Rausing Trust. A shortlist of six architectural firms—including Foster + Partners, Kengo Kuma and Associates, and Selldorf Architects—has been released to design the extension, with a final choice expected by April and the wing opening in the early 2030s.

Arts and heritage organisations largely exempted from new UK regulations on memberships

The UK government has exempted charitable and heritage organizations from new consumer regulations that would have allowed members to cancel and receive refunds within a two-week cooling-off period. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA), set to take effect next year, will not apply to membership schemes of qualifying cultural and heritage charities.

Next edition of Getty's PST Art initiative will focus on Los Angeles’s connections around the Pacific Rim

Next edition of Getty's PST Art initiative will focus on Los Angeles’s connections around the Pacific Rim

The Getty Trust has announced the theme and timeline for the fourth edition of its PST Art initiative, focusing on Los Angeles's cultural and historical connections across the Pacific Rim. The program will launch in September 2030, with a research phase beginning immediately and funding applications for Southern California cultural organizations due by June 2026. The initiative will explore exchanges spanning centuries, from Chinese porcelain in Spanish missions to Japanese influences on architecture and contemporary Korean pop culture.

Grapeshot. Nancy Lupo by Maya Tounta

Artist Nancy Lupo is preparing a new exhibition titled "Meow Meow Real Estate" at the Nicoletta Fiorucci Foundation in London. The show shares its name with a novel she is writing, both projects emerging from a period of personal displacement and a fixation on finding a home. The exhibition continues a trajectory of shows that serve as interconnected, physical manifestations of her literary and emotional exploration of place.

How UK museums are embracing citizens’ assemblies to help frame their futures

UK museums are increasingly turning to citizens' assemblies to involve the public in shaping institutional policy and direction. The National Gallery in London launched its NG Citizens panel in 2024, following Birmingham Museums Trust's 2024 citizens' jury of 26 local residents. The Imperial War Museum and London's Migration Museum have also announced plans for similar assemblies. The National Gallery's panel, formed through a civic lottery of 15,000 invited households, will meet from November 2025 to March 2026 to develop recommendations on the gallery's purpose, priorities, and public value—though it will not directly select exhibitions or acquisitions.

Large outdoor artworks at Hong Kong Palace Museum to draw 500,000 visitors

Hong Kong Palace Museum has launched its first outdoor public art exhibition, featuring six large-scale installations by local artists including architect Rocco Yim Sen-kee, who designed the museum building. The year-long display, themed on traditional Chinese garden aesthetics, will occupy the museum's plaza from Saturday until November 2 next year, with free public access.

NEXT in the Gallery: Psychic visuals, alchemy and shrines to matriarchs in Pittsburgh

NEXTpittsburgh's monthly art roundup highlights a packed schedule of openings and events in Pittsburgh from late January through May. Key shows include the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Downtown Gallery Crawl on Jan. 30, featuring artists like Ben Schonberger and Stamatina Gregory; "Stuck in Saṃsāra" (Feb. 6–March 22), a group exhibition of 10 Asian American & Pacific Island artists curated by Brent Nakamoto; and "Lewis Hine Pictures America" (Feb. 21–May 17) at the Frick Museum & Gardens, showcasing the documentary photographer's iconic images of American workers. Additional exhibitions span ceramics, hand-colored photographs, and community shows at venues such as Concept Art Gallery, Bottom Feeder Books, and the John A. Hermann Memorial Art Museum.

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Designer and digital researcher Mindy Seu presented her performance lecture "A Sexual History of the Internet" at New York's Performance Space, using an Instagram Stories format to explore how sex has shaped digital tools and infrastructure. The audience followed synchronized prompts on their phones, reading scripted text and viewing archival materials, with the lecture credited to Julio Correa's influence from Seu's class at the Yale School of Art. The sold-out event is part of a tour that will next visit the Kunstverein in Hamburg and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo.

NYU Steinhardt Presents 2026 MFA Thesis Exhibitions

NYU Steinhardt's Department of Art and Art Professions is presenting its 2026 MFA Thesis Exhibitions in two parts at the 80WSE Gallery in Greenwich Village. The first exhibition, titled 'Hoodwinked,' runs from April 1 to April 18 and features works by Nicholas Koby, Richard Medina, Roselynn Sadaghiani, Mario Saponaro, and Brooke Schneider. The second, 'Eggshells,' runs from May 6 to May 23 and showcases artists Ariel Barish, Christopher Chan, Mélanie Dumas, Roxie de Là, and Fan Qi.

It is Naive to Believe that Bombs Bring Freedom

"Es ist naiv zu glauben, dass Bomben Freiheit bringen"

Iranian-born artist Peyman Rahimi discusses the profound impact of his childhood experiences during the Iran-Iraq War and his subsequent mandatory military service on his creative practice. Breaking a long-held silence, Rahimi argues against the naivety of believing that military interventions or foreign bombings can bring true freedom to Iran, emphasizing that war only generates new trauma and suffering. He highlights the central role of Iranian women in the struggle for change, noting that their resilience remains the most potent threat to the current regime.

Art Exhibits: What's on display in the Fort Wayne area

The Fort Wayne area is currently hosting a diverse array of art exhibitions across local galleries, libraries, and museums. Highlights include the "Next Generation" high school competition at the Honeywell Center, the 46th National Print Exhibition at Artlink, and the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Award winners at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. The listings also feature solo showcases by artists such as Sue Davis, Benjamin High, and the late ceramicist Tom Sherbondy.

Young artists demonstrate their art pieces within Painting Week [PHOTOS]

The Azerbaijan Artists' Union recently hosted a children's art exhibition and competition titled "My Favorite Theme" as part of the national Painting Week. Held at the Fine Art Gallery of the Children-Youth Development Palace No. 1 in Baku, the event showcased 51 artworks by 48 young participants across two age categories. Winners were selected by a jury of professional artists, with top honors going to Naomi Ahmadi and Nuray Babayeva for their respective thematic interpretations.

SPUSD Snapshot | 27 SPHS Artists Juried into Autry Museum Exhibition

Twenty-seven students from South Pasadena High School (SPHS) had their artwork selected for the "Visions of Humanity" student exhibition at the Autry Museum of the American West. The selected works span painting, drawing, and photography and will be on display at the museum from April 18 to May 31, 2026.

Fresh voices of Pakistani art

The Islamabad Art Gallery has launched 'Souch Say Saqafat Tak,' a landmark exhibition showcasing the debut works of recent art school graduates from across Pakistan. Curated by Raheel Arshad in collaboration with Khyal Art Space, the show features a diverse array of mediums including digital glitches, traditional calligraphy, and abstract portraiture. The opening event drew significant cultural figures, including writer Irfan Ahmed Urfi and photographer Mobeen Ansari, highlighting a collective effort to bridge the gap between academic training and professional practice.

58th Annual Juried Undergraduate Exhibition showcases WCU student artists

The WCU Fine Art Museum recently hosted its 58th Annual Juried Undergraduate Exhibition, featuring works by 25 student artists across various media including video, sculpture, and photography. Juried by artist Tracy Templeton, the showcase highlighted technical skill and personal expression, with top honors going to James Wood Boone for his time-based media piece "The Caretaker" and Valeria Enid Ramos for her portraiture.

Ashland University senior art exhibition opens April 9

Ashland University is set to host its annual Senior Art and Design Exhibition at the Coburn Gallery, running from April 9 through May 9, 2026. The showcase features the capstone projects of graduating seniors and kicks off with an opening reception where student awards will be officially announced.

UK government insures Bayeux Tapestry for £800m during loan to British Museum

The UK Treasury will insure the Bayeux Tapestry for an estimated £800 million under the Government Indemnity Scheme during its loan to the British Museum next year. The tapestry, created in the 1070s, will travel from Normandy to London via the Channel Tunnel and be displayed in the Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery from September 2025 to July 2027 while its home museum in Bayeux undergoes renovations. The loan agreement, announced by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, includes a dry run with a facsimile and vibration monitoring, and in exchange, British Museum treasures such as the Lewis chessmen and Sutton Hoo helmet will travel to Normandy.

Francis Kéré's design for Las Vegas Museum of Art revealed

The Las Vegas Museum of Art (LVMA) has revealed renderings for its new 60,000-square-foot building, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Francis Kéré. Set to open in 2029 at Symphony Park in downtown Las Vegas, the four-floor museum features a stone mosaic façade sourced from the Red Rock Mountains, a shaded front porch, a canyon-like grand staircase, and galleries inspired by Modernist architect Paul R. Williams. Baobab trees, symbolizing community, inform the design. The $200 million capital campaign, supported by the late Elaine Wynn and other trustees, has passed the halfway mark. The museum is a partnership with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Lacma) and will showcase works from its collection, with Lacma director Michael Govan serving as a founding trustee. A satellite exhibition, Family Album, is currently on view, and a 15,000-square-foot gallery and media lab will open next year.

NEXT in the Gallery: Pittsburgh in December is a sprawling winter carnival of art

Pittsburgh's visual artists are transforming the city into a sprawling winter carnival throughout December 2025, with a packed calendar of exhibitions and events. Highlights include Sharmistha Ray's three-channel animation "Emergent Realities" at Wood Street Galleries (Dec. 12–July 5, 2026), featuring a commissioned soundtrack by Grammy-winning composer Arooj Aftab; Mary Mazziotti's satirical textile series "Thank You for Your Attention to This Matter" at BE Galleries (Dec. 6–Jan. 31, 2026); and Offroute Art's "Crisis of Empathy // Limit of Empathy" showcasing eight young artists. Wood Street Galleries also partners with Visual AIDS for Day With(out) Art 2025 on Dec. 3, presenting videos exploring drug users and HIV crisis. The month kicks off with holiday markets and arcades, and includes a Neapolitan nativity scene exhibit and an art battle in Sharpsburg.

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Sotheby's Institute of Art, the academic arm of the Sotheby's auction house, is expanding its focus on luxury business education with three M.A. programs in Luxury Business. These programs, offered in New York and London as well as online, train students in sectors such as fashion, jewelry, watches, and wines and spirits, leveraging the institute's connections to the art market and luxury brands like Chanel, Cartier, LVMH, and Tiffany & Co. Program director Natasha Degen and Dr. Federica Carlotto emphasize the blurring boundaries between art and luxury, and the need for cross-disciplinary expertise.