‘An open letter to the nation’: National Gallery of Art reckons with America at 250

The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. has launched "Dear America: Artists Explore the American Experience," a major exhibition marking the United States' 250th anniversary. Featuring over 100 works on paper by 95 artists, the show eschews traditional patriotic tropes in favor of a nuanced, self-critical look at the nation's history. Organized around the themes of land, community, and freedom, the exhibition juxtaposes iconic imagery from artists like Roy Lichtenstein and Thomas Moran with provocative contemporary perspectives from Zanele Muholi and Carrie Mae Weems.

V&A exhibition honours designer Elsa Schiaparelli's unique synthesis of fine art and fashion

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) has launched a major exhibition dedicated to the Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli, focusing on her revolutionary integration of Surrealist art and haute couture. The show highlights her early career in Paris, specifically her 1927 breakthrough with a trompe-l’oeil knitted sweater, and explores her collaborations with avant-garde artists like Salvador Dalí. By examining her unique ability to translate Dadaist and Surrealist concepts into wearable garments, the exhibition positions her as a pivotal figure who challenged the traditional boundaries of fashion and art.

Melissa Chiu Appointed Head of Guggenheim New York

Melissa Chiu nommée à la tête du Guggenheim New York

Melissa Chiu has been appointed as the new director of the Guggenheim Museum in New York, effective September 1. Currently the head of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., Chiu succeeds Mariët Westermann, who will transition to a strategic role overseeing the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation’s international network. Chiu brings a proven track record of fundraising, having secured nearly $250 million during her tenure at the Hirshhorn, and is credited with significantly increasing attendance and diversifying the museum's collections.

Tensions Rise Over Proposed New Zealand Statue Commemorating ‘Comfort Women’ Japan Forced into Sexual Slavery, Have a Bartering Breakfast with Maurizio Cattelan: Morning Links for April 10, 2026

A diplomatic dispute has emerged between Japan and New Zealand over a proposed bronze statue in Auckland commemorating 'comfort women' forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during WWII. Japan’s ambassador warned that the memorial, donated by the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance, could damage international relations, while the Japanese embassy labeled the project part of an 'anti-Japan' movement.

Guggenheim Museum Gets a New Director

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum has appointed Melissa Chiu as its next director, succeeding Richard Armstrong. Chiu joins the New York flagship institution after a twelve-year tenure at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., and is expected to assume her new role this coming September.

Philadelphia Art Museums Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with New Shows

The Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) have announced a major collaborative exhibition titled "A Nation of Artists" to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Spanning both institutions, the show will feature over 1,000 works including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts that explore the American experience. Highlights include Charles Willson Peale’s 1779 portrait of George Washington, 120 works from the Middleton Family Collection, and a diverse array of Indigenous art and contemporary pieces by artists such as Barkley L. Hendricks and Laura Watters Maynor.

Glenstone Is Celebrating 20 Years Of Art, Architecture, & Nature

Glenstone Museum in Potomac, Maryland, is celebrating its 20th anniversary as one of the largest private contemporary art museums in the United States. Founded in 2006, the institution offers a unique, immersive experience across 230 acres, combining world-class art, minimalist architecture, and expansive nature trails. The museum currently features major works by iconic artists such as Jackson Pollock, Ruth Asawa, and Kerry James Marshall within its two primary structures, The Gallery and The Pavilions.

What does 250 years of American art look like?

The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. has launched "Dear America," a major exhibition commemorating the U.S. semiquincentennial through more than 100 works on paper. Drawing from the museum’s deep permanent holdings, the show features a diverse range of media including photography, lithographs, and artist books by figures such as Andy Warhol, Ansel Adams, Faith Ringgold, and Kara Walker. The curation spans 250 years, juxtaposing iconic American imagery with lesser-known folk art and contemporary works that explore the complexities of national identity.

V&A East architecture review – from ceramics to codpieces, this is a honey-coloured treasure trove of human ingenuity

V&A East has officially unveiled its new museum building in London’s Olympic Park, a striking architectural addition to the city's burgeoning 'East Bank' cultural district. Designed by O’Donnell + Tuomey, the structure features a faceted, honey-colored concrete exterior inspired by the intricate folds of a sleeve in a Vermeer painting and the structural tailoring of Cristóbal Balenciaga. The interior houses a diverse collection of human ingenuity, ranging from Leigh Bowery’s sequined codpieces to historical ceramics, all organized within a framework that emphasizes the process of making.

What to See This Spring at Museums Across the U.S.

Major museums across the United States are preparing to launch a diverse array of exhibitions for the spring season. Highlights include a comprehensive Marcel Duchamp retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, an exploration of Etruscan civilization at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, and a major fashion-focused exhibition at the Phoenix Art Museum.

“Guernica” Tears Spain Apart: Madrid Refuses to Loan Picasso’s Painting to the Basque Country

« Guernica » déchire l’Espagne : Madrid refuse le prêt du tableau de Picasso au Pays basque

The Spanish government and the Reina Sofía Museum have rejected a request from the Basque regional government to loan Pablo Picasso’s masterpiece, "Guernica," to the Guggenheim Bilbao. The proposed loan was intended to mark the 90th anniversary of the 1937 bombing of the town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. While Madrid cites the painting's extreme physical fragility as the reason for the refusal, the decision has sparked a heated political row, exacerbated by derogatory comments from Madrid’s regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso.

Locating Luigi Ghirri

Fashion photographer Alessio Bolzoni and film director Luca Guadagnino have collaborated on 'Felicità', a new book and exhibition at Thomas Dane Gallery featuring 45 previously unseen color photographs by the late Italian master Luigi Ghirri. The project is divided into two portfolios: the first focuses on intimate, abstract details of found objects and surfaces in Modena, while the second expands into larger vistas and populated spaces across Italy during the 1980s.

Exciting Spring Exhibitions Across U.S. Museums

Major U.S. museums are launching a series of high-profile exhibitions this spring, headlined by a massive Marcel Duchamp retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Other key highlights include the North American debut of Iris van Herpen’s technologically-driven fashion at the Brooklyn Museum and a focused look at Peter Hujar’s photography of the New York underground at the Morgan Library & Museum.

Dallas Art Fair Returns April 16-19 with 90+ Art Dealers

The 2026 Dallas Art Fair is set to return from April 16–19 at the Fashion Industry Gallery, featuring over 90 national and international dealers. A major highlight of this edition is the introduction of the inaugural Dallas Art Prize, a $20,000 unrestricted award granted to landscape painter John McAllister. The fair is also expanding its scope with a new design crossover featuring Carpenters Workshop Gallery and Sputnik Modern, alongside the debut of the KTX Biennial, Texas’ first biennial dedicated to public art.

Pictures: Art in Bloom at Orlando Museum of Art

The Orlando Museum of Art has launched its annual "Art in Bloom" festival, a multi-day event where floral designers create living arrangements inspired by specific works in the museum’s permanent collection and current exhibitions. Organized by the Council of 101, the showcase features floral interpretations of pieces by artists such as James Rosenquist, Beatriz Milhazes, and Howard William Mehring, alongside fashion displays, pop-up shops, and silent auctions.

The best fashion exhibitions to see for spring 2026

Major museums across Europe are launching a series of high-profile fashion retrospectives for the Spring 2026 season. Highlights include the first official exhibition dedicated to Helmut Lang at MAK Vienna, a comparative study of Azzedine Alaïa and Christian Dior in Paris, and a comprehensive Vivienne Westwood retrospective at The Bowes Museum. Additionally, the V&A in London is hosting the UK’s first-ever Schiaparelli exhibition, while Charleston explores the literary influence of the Hogarth Press through a collaboration with designer Kim Jones.

“Boycott the Bezos Met Gala” Posters Emerge Across NYC

Activists have launched a wheatpasting campaign across New York City calling for a boycott of the 2026 Met Gala. The protest targets the event's lead sponsors and honorary co-chairs, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, highlighting Amazon's alleged exploitation of warehouse labor and its technological support for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The posters, designed by the activist group Everyone Hates Elon, feature provocative imagery such as urine-filled water bottles and tear gas canisters to symbolize the human cost of Amazon's business practices.

Everything you need to know about Lee Miller, honored at the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris

Tout ce qu’il faut savoir sur Lee Miller à l’honneur au musée d’Art Moderne de Paris

The Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris is hosting a major retrospective dedicated to Lee Miller, the surrealist icon who transitioned from a high-fashion model for Vogue to a fearless war correspondent. The exhibition traces her multifaceted career, from her early days as a muse in New York and Paris to her harrowing documentation of the liberation of Saint-Malo, the Normandy beaches, and the liberation of concentration camps.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to Skip Met Gala, Sources Say

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji will reportedly skip the 2025 Met Gala, breaking a long-standing tradition of mayoral attendance at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s premier fundraiser. Sources suggest the decision stems from a conflict between Mamdani’s socialist political platform and the event's association with billionaire sponsors, specifically Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez-Bezos.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater Has a New, Waterproof Roof

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has completed a comprehensive three-year, $7 million restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece, Fallingwater. The project focused on critical structural vulnerabilities, including moisture degradation of interior finishes, leaking windows and doors, and the installation of a new waterproof roof. Experts addressed specific design flaws inherent to Wright’s original 1935 construction, such as the lack of through-wall flashing and the use of river pebbles in concrete aggregate, which had exacerbated the building's battle against the elements.

Getty Features Timeless Artifacts with ‘Photography and the Black Arts Movement 1955-1985’

The Getty Museum is hosting a comprehensive exhibition titled “Photography and the Black Arts Movement 1955-1985,” featuring over 150 works including paintings, photographs, video art, and archival memorabilia. Developed in partnership with Cal State Northridge, the show highlights the pivotal role of Black photographers and artists in documenting and shaping the Civil Rights era and the subsequent Black Arts Movement. The collection includes iconic imagery from figures like Barkley L. Hendricks and Gordon Parks, as well as local Los Angeles legends such as Betye Saar and Harry Adams.

The National Gallery of Art Holds an Artistic Mirror Up to the United States for Its Big 250th Birthday

The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., has launched "Dear America," a major exhibition commemorating the United States' 250th anniversary. Featuring over 100 prints, drawings, and photographs from the museum’s permanent collection, the show spans from the late 18th century to the present day. The exhibition is organized into three thematic sections—"Land," "Community," and "Freedom"—showcasing works by iconic artists such as Andy Warhol, Ansel Adams, and Richard Avedon alongside contemporary voices like Tom Jones of the Ho-Chunk Nation.

A Sneak Peak Inside “Costume Art” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is set to open the Condé M. Nast Galleries, a new permanent home for the Costume Institute located in prime real estate adjacent to the Great Hall. The inaugural exhibition, "Costume Art," will integrate fashion with artworks from 19 of the museum’s collecting areas, featuring pieces by designers like Tory Burch and Michael Kors alongside works by artists such as Jean Arp. This move transitions the Costume Institute from its traditional basement location to the center of the museum's physical and narrative layout.

Harmony Korine’s First U.S. Museum Show Is ‘Perfect Nonsense’

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Miami is set to host 'Perfect Nonsense,' the first U.S. museum survey dedicated to the multidisciplinary work of director and artist Harmony Korine. Opening April 15, the exhibition features over 50 works spanning Korine’s career, from early collages and notes following his 1995 film 'Kids' to his recent infrared 'post-cinema' project 'Aggro Dr1ft.' The show includes a diverse array of media, including 'Twitchy' paintings, collaborative works with Rita Ackermann, and a dedicated 'Florida Room' exploring his current home in Miami.

A Cartier Exhibitions Lands at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne

The National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne is hosting a major exhibition of Cartier’s historic jewelry and objects, organized in partnership with the Victoria and Albert Museum. The showcase features over 300 items, ranging from the iconic 1917 Tank watch and the surrealist 1967 Cartier Crash to opulent commissions for figures like the Maharaja of Patiala, the Duchess of Windsor, and Grace Kelly.

Cameron Art Museum to launch immersive inflatable sculpture exhibition this summer

The Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina, has announced its upcoming summer exhibition, "Fresh Air: Inflatable Sculptures," opening June 19. The show features large-scale, interactive works including Nick Cave’s "Augment," a vibrant installation made from repurposed lawn ornaments, and Andy Warhol’s historic 1966 floating installation "Silver Clouds." Other participating contemporary artists include Claire Ashley, Nicole Banowetz, Nancy Davidson, Tamar Ettun, and Momoyo Torimitsu.

Frist Art Museum Gala Patron Party celebrates museum's 25th year: See photos

The Frist Art Museum hosted a Patron Party on March 25 to kick off celebrations for its 25th anniversary, drawing over 150 guests. Attendees previewed several major exhibitions, including a survey of Nashville-based women artists, a showcase of Impressionist masterpieces from the Dallas Museum of Art, and a contemporary project featuring works by the late Barbara Bullock. The event serves as a precursor to the main Frist Gala on April 18, which is a primary fundraiser for the institution.

All Things Art You Cannot Miss This April

The Indian art scene is set for a bustling April 2026 with a series of high-profile exhibitions across major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. Key highlights include Subodh Gupta’s monumental installations at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, a photographic tribute to Bombay by Raghubir Singh at Jhaveri Contemporary, and the public viewing of Raja Ravi Varma’s iconic 'Yashoda and Krishna' at the ShowKeen exhibition. These shows span a diverse range of media, from Akanksha Patil’s introspective narratives on migration to Laila Khan Furniturewalla’s raw, expressive paintings.

The evolution of agriculture tells the story of the world in an unmissable exhibition at Fondazione Prada

L’evoluzione dell’agricoltura racconta il mondo in un’imperdibile mostra alla Fondazione Prada

The Fondazione Prada in Milan is hosting "Dash," a comprehensive solo exhibition by Chinese artist Cao Fei that explores the intersection of ancient agricultural rituals and cutting-edge technology. The exhibition features installations like 'Land Ceremony,' where an agricultural drone is treated as a ritualistic rice dragon, alongside VR experiences and documentary films that investigate the automation of farming in China and Southeast Asia.

Legendary Arts Administrator Returns To Bucks With Pieces Of A Life

The Michener Art Museum is hosting "Pieces of a Life," a retrospective exhibition dedicated to the 60-year photography career of Bruce Katsiff. Running from April 11 to August 12, the show features 60 works including his 1970s "River Town Portraits," the "Nature Morte" series exploring mortality through animal remains, and his recent digital "Face Maps." The exhibition is guest-curated by art historian Dorothy Fisher and highlights Katsiff's technical mastery ranging from platinum prints to modern digital composites.