Hirshhorn Museum Director Melissa Chiu Leaves for Guggenheim, Another Smithsonian Departure

Melissa Chiu has been appointed as the new director of the Guggenheim Museum in New York, departing her long-standing role at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Starting September 1, Chiu will report to Mariët Westermann, CEO of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, effectively splitting the leadership responsibilities previously held by Richard Armstrong. During her decade-long tenure at the Hirshhorn, Chiu was known for staging massive blockbuster exhibitions, including the record-breaking Yayoi Kusama "Infinity Mirror Rooms" show, though she also faced criticism for commercial ventures like a reality TV competition.

‘The original triple threat’: two exhibitions celebrate Marilyn Monroe as creative pioneer

The British Film Institute (BFI) and the National Portrait Gallery have announced two major exhibitions to celebrate the centenary of Marilyn Monroe’s birth. The BFI will host a two-month film season titled 'Marilyn Monroe: Self Made Star,' featuring a comprehensive look at her filmography and a theatrical re-release of her final film, *The Misfits*. Simultaneously, the National Portrait Gallery will present 'Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait,' an exhibition exploring her influence on visual culture through works by artists like Andy Warhol and Richard Avedon, including rare photographs taken just before her death.

Inside ‘Prince of Prints’ Jordan Schnitzer’s Sprawling Collection

Jordan Schnitzer, the Portland-based philanthropist often called the 'Prince of Prints,' recently provided a rare tour of his massive 50,000-square-foot art warehouse. The facility utilizes a sophisticated 'floating bin' logistics system, similar to those used by major retailers, to manage over 22,000 works, including extensive holdings by Andy Warhol, Joseph Beuys, and Richard Prince. Schnitzer’s foundation operates as a lending library, frequently shipping works to museums and hosting educational tours for students from districts where arts funding has been eliminated.

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.

Getty Center in Los Angeles Is Closing for Year of Renovations

The Getty Center in Los Angeles has announced it will close to the public for a full year starting in March 2027. This significant hiatus is required to facilitate a major infrastructure overhaul, primarily focusing on the replacement of its aging computer-operated tram system and the modernization of several gallery spaces within the Richard Meier-designed campus.

I think I didn't understand many artists

"Ich glaube, ich habe viele Künstler nicht verstanden"

Adrian Searle, the long-standing chief art critic for The Guardian, is stepping down after three decades at the publication and nearly 50 years in art criticism. In a reflective interview, Searle discusses his transition from a practicing painter and educator to a critic, noting that his early interactions with students like Peter Doig and Isaac Julien helped him realize his true strength lay in writing rather than art-making. He recounts his experiences navigating the British art scene, from the decline of Greenbergian abstraction to his encounters with formidable figures like Richard Serra.

2026 Spring Arts Preview: The top visual art exhibitions we’re excited about this season

The article previews the spring 2026 visual arts season in San Diego County, highlighting a diverse range of exhibitions and events. It announces the return of Art Gallery Month, a collaborative effort involving 11 local galleries aimed at boosting the visibility of the commercial gallery ecosystem and encouraging local art collecting. Key exhibitions featured include Ruben Ulises Rodriguez Montoya's first California solo museum show, 'In the Garden of Earthly Delights: I Bend to Paradise,' at the Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego, and the La Jolla Historical Society's 'Space Maker,' which explores the intersection of art and architecture. The preview also notes Richard Allen Morris's work at R.B. Stevenson Gallery and lists numerous participating commercial galleries.

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.

Richard Hunt Legacy Foundation Releases First Posthumous Artist's CV

The Richard Hunt Legacy Foundation has released the first comprehensive posthumous CV for the pioneering American sculptor Richard Hunt. Drawing from digital archives and research, the document reveals a career far more expansive than previously recorded, documenting 193 solo exhibitions and over 350 group shows across seven decades. This release follows the 2022 acquisition of Hunt’s massive physical archive by the Getty Research Institute, which continues to process over 1,000 linear feet of historical material.

Heirs to the Bic Empire Say They’ve Been Robbed of a Renaissance Masterwork

The heirs to the Bic pen fortune, Gonzalve, Charles, and Guillaume Bich, have filed a lawsuit alleging a 15th-century masterpiece by Fra Angelico was stolen from their family. They claim the painting, 'Saint Sixtus,' was taken by their father's chauffeur in 2006 and sold to art dealer Richard Feigen, who later sold it to Chilean collector Alvaro Saieh in 2018. The heirs are now suing Saieh to reclaim the artwork and seeking the return of sale proceeds from Feigen's estate.

A Look Back at Newport’s Historic 1974 Sculpture Show

The Preservation Society of Newport County is hosting "Full Circle" at the Rosecliff mansion, an exhibition that revisits the landmark 1974 outdoor sculpture show "Monumenta." The current display features scale models, preparatory drawings, and archival photographs of works by modern masters such as Claes Oldenburg, Alexander Calder, and Willem de Kooning. A significant portion of the show is dedicated to Richard Fleischner, whose site-specific earthwork "Sod Maze" remains the only original piece from the 1974 project still standing in its original Newport location.

Hopkins Bloomberg Center exhibition to explore American art as cultural diplomacy

The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center is launching a new exhibition titled "Artistic Generosity and the American Artist Abroad," showcasing four decades of American art commissioned for U.S. embassies worldwide. Opening April 7 at the Irene and Richard Frary Gallery, the show features site-specific commissions, prints, and photographs from the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE) collection, including works by Frank Stella, Ellsworth Kelly, and Julie Mehretu.

In “Discipline,” Larissa Pham Explores Predatory Art-World Mentorship

Larissa Pham’s debut novel, Discipline, follows Christina, a young writer and former painter grappling with the psychological aftermath of a formative affair with her art professor, Richard. Set against the backdrop of a book tour for her own autofictional novel, the narrative uses Christina’s observations of art—ranging from Helen Frankenthaler to Edward Hopper—to slowly peel back the layers of a relationship defined by power imbalances and predatory mentorship.

Richard Rezac at Chris Sharp Gallery

Richard Rezac has opened a solo exhibition titled "Tracery" at Chris Sharp Gallery in Los Angeles. The show, featuring new sculptural works, will be on view from February 24 through April 18, 2026.

Yamamoto Masao’s Otherworldly Portraits Introduce Us to Expressive Owls

Photographer Yamamoto Masao is presenting a solo exhibition titled 'Ten Owls' at Yancey Richardson gallery in New York. The show features intimate, small-scale gelatin silver prints of owls, creatures that inhabit the forests near his Japanese home, with the works intended for close viewing to foster a connection with the elusive birds.

Portland Japanese Garden debuts stunning new art exhibition through June 15th

The Portland Japanese Garden has launched its first major exhibition of 2026, "Enduring Impressions: Contemporary Woodblock Prints," running through June 16th. This showcase explores the evolution of mokuhanga, a traditional Japanese woodblock printing technique that originated in the 17th century as an accessible art form for the masses. The exhibition features a diverse array of works ranging from historical masterpieces to contemporary interpretations by artists from Portland, Japan, and across the United States.

New Nanaimo Art Gallery show focuses on impacts to developing countries

The Nanaimo Art Gallery is set to debut "An Animated Assembly," a collaborative exhibition by artists Richard Ibghy and Marilou Lemmens that explores the socio-economic consequences of resource extraction. Opening April 11, the show utilizes hand-painted murals, animations, and sculptures to critique the Global North's demand for energy transition materials, such as lithium, and the resulting impact on countries in the Global South. The works employ a satirical, "cartoonish" aesthetic to juxtapose cold, analytical data with the bold, often morally questionable rhetoric of corporate and political leaders.

LA’s Getty Center to Close for Renovations Beginning in 2027

The Getty Center in Los Angeles has announced a year-long closure for extensive renovations, scheduled to begin in March 2027. This marks the first major modernization of the Richard Meier-designed campus since its opening in 1997. The project will focus on updating the galleries, the Welcome Hall, and the tram system, while also introducing new artist commissions and improving infrastructure like HVAC systems and digital connectivity.

MCA Chicago show explores the power of Dancehall and Reggaeton

The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago has launched "Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón," an interdisciplinary exhibition exploring the political and cultural impact of Caribbean music genres. Curated by Carla Acevedo-Yates, the show was inspired by the 2019 "perreo combativo" protests in Puerto Rico that led to the governor's resignation. The exhibition features a diverse array of media, including paintings by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Denzil Forrester, sculptures by Michael Richards, and archival materials like Dancehall posters and sound system equipment.

A Washington Museum Zeros In on the Watergate Scandal

A Washington Museum Zeros In on the Watergate Scandal

The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., has opened a new exhibition titled "Break the News: Watergate and the American Presidency." The show features over 60 objects, including photographs, political cartoons, and artifacts like the infamous tape recorder used by President Richard Nixon, to explore the scandal's impact on media, politics, and public trust.

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.

Construction of White House ballroom must stop, federal judge orders

A federal judge has ordered an immediate halt to the construction of a new ballroom at the White House's East Wing, a project initiated by former President Donald Trump. Judge Richard J. Leon's injunction stops all work except for safety and security measures, ruling that the president lacks the authority to undertake such a construction on federal property without explicit approval from Congress.

Gallery Reception: VAST students Grace Brown and Richard Mitchell

Penn State Altoona is hosting a joint gallery reception for Visual Art Studies students Grace Brown and Richard Mitchell at the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. Brown’s exhibition, "What Once Was," utilizes multimedia techniques to explore nostalgia and childhood memories, while Mitchell’s "Blood is Thicker Than Water" employs a dream-like aesthetic to examine the influence of family and personal history. Both exhibitions run from April 16 through April 24.

Nigeria At Venice: Speaking on Our Own Terms.

Nigeria is preparing for its return to the Venice Biennale in 2028 with a fundamentally different approach, framing its participation as a structural intervention rather than mere inclusion. Curator Richard Vedelago, in conversation with Suzette Bell-Roberts, outlines a strategy focused on ownership, authorship, and building a self-sustaining cultural ecosystem, moving beyond seeking validation from global art structures.

Art, Writing Unite During Art Aloud Exhibit Around City

The annual Art Aloud exhibit has returned to Colorado Springs, transforming local businesses like Poor Richard’s into temporary galleries that merge visual art with the spoken word. Celebrating its 19th year, the event features a diverse roster of 40 to 60 participants ranging from seasoned professionals like Bill Young to first-time exhibitors. The curated selection focuses on whimsical and unconventional works that challenge traditional gallery norms, often pairing installations and photography with poetry.