Chicago’s Obama Presidential Center has art at its core

The Obama Presidential Center is set to open on Chicago’s South Side on June 19, 2026. The $850m institution, designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, features more than 25 site-specific contemporary art commissions integrated into its architecture and 19.3-acre campus. Ahead of the opening, the museum has partnered with Expo Chicago to preview these works, which include monumental contributions from artists such as Julie Mehretu, Mark Bradford, and Nick Cave.

Alma Allen Speaks Out on Backlash Over U.S. Pavilion Commission: ‘A Little Stressful’

Sculptor Alma Allen has spoken out for the first time about the backlash he faced after accepting the commission to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale. In a rare interview on the podcast *Time Sensitive*, recorded at his home in Tepotzlán, Mexico, Allen described the response as “a little stressful” but said he never hesitated when curator Jeffrey Uslip invited him last fall. His selection sparked controversy because the State Department’s requirement that proposals “reflect and promote American values” while not promoting DEI initiatives led higher-profile artists like William Eggleston and Barbara Chase-Riboud to refuse. Allen’s former galleries, Mendes Wood and Olney Gleason, dropped him after he accepted, though he has since joined Perrotin. He also hinted that his exhibition, “Call Me the Breeze,” will include work about conflict and surveillance.

Recently restored castle in Norwich among five institutions shortlisted for UK's top museum prize

Five UK museums have been shortlisted for the 2026 Art Fund Museum of the Year prize. Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, recently restored through a £27.5 million redevelopment, is nominated alongside the National Gallery in London, The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, The Box in Plymouth, and the V&A East Storehouse in London. The winner, to be announced on 25 June, will receive £120,000.

V&A East Storehouse and Norwich Castle among finalists for museum of the year

The Art Fund has announced the five finalists for the 2025 Museum of the Year award, the UK's most prestigious museum prize. The shortlist features major institutions that have recently completed significant expansions or refurbishments, including the V&A East Storehouse in Stratford, the National Gallery in London, The Box in Plymouth, the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, and Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery. The winner, to be announced on June 25, will receive £120,000, while the other finalists will each receive £20,000.

Restored Victorian greenhouse links Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery to its living neighbours

Brooklyn’s historic Green-Wood Cemetery has unveiled the 'Green-House,' a $34m welcome and education center centered around a meticulously restored 1895 Victorian cast-iron greenhouse. Designed by Architecture Research Office (ARO), the facility includes classrooms, research archives, and dedicated gallery spaces. The project transforms a formerly dilapidated commercial florist shop into a modern gateway that connects the 478-acre National Historic Landmark to its surrounding urban neighborhood.

Museum openings: V&A East and Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Plus, William Blake in Dublin—podcast

Two major museum projects have reached completion as London’s V&A East prepares for its public debut and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) unveils its new $700m David Geffen Galleries. V&A East opens with a focus on community-driven programming and its inaugural exhibition, 'The Music is Black: A British Story,' while LACMA’s long-awaited Peter Zumthor-designed building begins member previews amidst ongoing debates regarding its scale and cost.

All England shortlist revealed for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026

The Art Fund has announced the five finalists for its Museum of the Year 2026 award, all of which are located in England. The shortlist includes The National Gallery and V&A East Storehouse in London, Norwich Castle, Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, and The Box in Plymouth. The winner will be announced at a ceremony at London's Cutty Sark on June 25.

Exhibition | 'Goodman Gallery x Pierre Yovanovitch Mobilier' at Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

Goodman Gallery is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a high-profile collaborative exhibition at Pierre Yovanovitch Mobilier in Paris. Running from April 17 to August 29, the showcase features major works by leading artists from the African continent and the diaspora, including El Anatsui, William Kentridge, and Kapwani Kiwanga. The presentation places contemporary African art in direct dialogue with the high-end furniture and interior architecture of Pierre Yovanovitch, marking the start of a series of international events for the gallery this summer.

Which of these five museums is the best in the UK?

The Art Fund has announced the shortlist for the 2024 Museum of the Year award, featuring the National Gallery, V&A East Storehouse, The Box in Plymouth, the Fitzwilliam Museum, and Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery. The finalists represent a diverse cross-section of British heritage, ranging from London’s "Goliath" institutions celebrating bicentenaries to regional hubs undergoing major architectural transformations. The winner, to be announced on June 25, will receive a £120,000 prize, while runners-up each receive £20,000.

Lost Lincoln Portrait From Teddy Roosevelt’s Office Reemerges After a Century

A long-lost portrait of Abraham Lincoln by American realist Ernest Wells has reemerged after more than a century. The painting, which hung in President Theodore Roosevelt’s office throughout his term and served as a source of personal inspiration, was recently identified in the collection of the descendants of antique dealers Ann and Jack Rouchaud. The work’s provenance was confirmed via a letter from Roosevelt’s friend and Lincoln’s former bodyguard, Colonel William H. Crook, which remains affixed to the back of the canvas.

Remembering Nathan Farb, Thomas Zipp, and Christine Ruiz-Picasso

The art world mourns the loss of several influential figures, including photographer Nathan Farb, known for his large-format captures of the Adirondacks and 1960s Manhattan, and Christine Ruiz-Picasso, who was instrumental in establishing the Museo Picasso Málaga. Other notable passing include German interdisciplinary artist Thomas Zipp, prolific art forger William "Billy The Brush" Mumford, and Hassen Soufy, the last living member of the L'École de Tunis movement.

Ten Out Of London Exhibitions Spring 2026 – Artlyst Guide

Artlyst has published a guide to ten major exhibitions opening across UK museums and galleries outside London in Spring 2026. Highlights include a year-long programme for the 250th anniversary of John Constable in Suffolk, the Gwen John exhibition 'Strange Beauties' at National Museum Cardiff celebrating her 150th birthday, a Frank Bowling survey at The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, a Joan Eardley show in Edinburgh, and Paula Rego at Newlands House & Gallery. Other featured exhibitions include Andy Hollingworth's photography of comedians at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and a Vivienne Westwood retrospective at the Bowes Museum.

Talking Texas Art: The Panhandle

Glasstire has announced the second installment of its "Talking Texas Art" panel series, scheduled for April 23, 2026, at the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts (LHUCA) in Lubbock. Part of the publication’s 25th-anniversary celebrations, the event focuses on the Texas Panhandle's creative landscape. The panel features prominent regional figures including Judy Tedford Deaton of The Grace Museum, Jon Revett and Amy Von Lintel of West Texas A&M University, and Charles Adams of CASP, moderated by Glasstire’s William Sarradet.

Nominees revealed for £120,000 Art Fund Museum Of The Year prize

Art Fund has announced the five finalists for the 2026 Museum of the Year prize, the world’s largest award of its kind. The shortlist includes Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, The Box in Plymouth, and London’s National Gallery and V&A East Storehouse. The winner, to be announced on June 25 at the Cutty Sark, will receive £120,000, while the four runners-up will each be awarded £20,000.

The Burlington Magazine - No. 1477 Vol. CLXVIII - April 2026

The Burlington Magazine - n°1477 vol CLXVIII - April 2026

The April 2026 issue of The Burlington Magazine presents a wealth of new scholarship, highlighted by significant discoveries regarding the 'Rainbow' portrait of Queen Elizabeth I and a previously unpublished portrait of Sarah Churchill by Godfrey Kneller. The edition spans centuries of art history, featuring research on 18th-century color theorist Mary Gartside, the pottery windows of William Bell Scott, and newly identified drawings by Marcellus Laroon the Younger.

Emmanuel Perrotin, the Parisian gallery owner who conquered the world

Emmanuel Perrotin, the founder of the global Perrotin gallery network, reflects on a career defined by disruption and the democratization of contemporary art. From his early days as an outsider without industry connections to managing 160 employees across four continents, Perrotin has utilized high-profile stunts—such as Maurizio Cattelan’s $120,000 taped banana—and celebrity collaborations with figures like Pharrell Williams to build a powerhouse brand. His current focus involves institutionalizing his internal operations through digital tools and employee tutorials to maintain the gallery's momentum.

Rare Complete Triceratops Skeleton Snags $5.5 Million at Auction

A 66-million-year-old Triceratops skeleton, nicknamed Trey, sold for $5.55 million at the online auction platform Joopiter. The fossil, excavated in 1993, had been on continuous public display at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center for three decades and represents the first dinosaur skeleton sold by Joopiter, a platform founded by Pharrell Williams.

Charlotte Gere obituary

Art historian Charlotte Gere has died at the age of 88. A specialist in 19th-century art and design, she was the author of seminal works like 'Victorian Jewellery Design' and played a key role in rediscovering the lost jewels of architect William Burges, turning her research into compelling detective stories.

William Blake: The Age of Romantic Fantasy at the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin

The National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin is hosting the first-ever exhibition of William Blake's work in Ireland, titled "William Blake: The Age of Romantic Fantasy." The show features major works such as "The Night of Enitharmon’s Joy" (c. 1795) from Tate, and includes a life mask of Blake painted by Francis Bacon, connecting the Romantic visionary to the 20th-century Irish-born artist. The article explores Blake's radical politics, his arrest for sedition in 1803, and his enduring influence on figures like Bacon and the critic David Sylvester.

The Big Review

Tate Britain has launched a major survey dedicated to the visionary artist and poet William Blake, marking one of the most comprehensive exhibitions of his work in London. The show brings together his intricate watercolors, prints, and prophetic books, offering a deep dive into his unique mythological universe and radical political views.

Boston had Isabella Stewart Gardner, and Fitchburg had Eleanor Norcross

The Fitchburg Art Museum is celebrating its 100th anniversary with the exhibition “Kaleidoscope: 100 Years of Collecting for our Community.” The show honors the legacy of founder Eleanor Norcross, a Victorian-era artist and collector who studied under William Merritt Chase and exhibited in Parisian salons. Although Norcross died in 1923 before the museum opened, her estate and personal collection of paintings and decorative arts provided the foundation for the institution, which officially opened in 1929.

Peter Blake’s studio brought to life at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery

Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery in West London has announced a major retrospective of Sir Peter Blake, scheduled to open in November 2026. The exhibition, titled 'Peter Blake: In the Studio,' features a full-scale reconstruction of the artist's Hammersmith workspace, providing an immersive look at the environment where his seven-decade career unfolded. The show will display a wide range of media, including his iconic Pop Art paintings, sculptures, and recent collages that respond to the works of William Hogarth.

Sir Peter Blake’s Studio Comes to Pitzhanger Manor in a Landmark West London Exhibition

Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery in West London has announced a major exhibition, "Peter Blake: In the Studio," scheduled to run from November 2026 to April 2027. The landmark show will feature a full-scale recreation of the artist’s Hammersmith workspace, providing an immersive look at the environment where the 'Godfather of British Pop Art' conceived his most famous works. The exhibition will span seven decades of Blake's career, showcasing paintings, collages, and sculptures alongside his personal collection of curiosities and memorabilia.

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.

Brion Gysin, the last museum: the original retrospective exhibition at the Paris Museum of Modern Art

The Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris is hosting the first major Parisian retrospective of the multi-disciplinary artist Brion Gysin, running from April 10 to July 12, 2026. Titled "Brion Gysin, the Last Museum," the exhibition features over 140 works spanning the artist's career, including his pioneering "Cut-up" literary techniques, calligraphic paintings, and the immersive "Dreamachine." The show also contextualizes Gysin’s legacy by featuring works from his contemporaries and those he influenced, such as William Burroughs, Patti Smith, and Keith Haring.

Museum of the year finalists revealed by Art Fund

Art Fund has announced the five finalists for the Museum of the Year 2026 award, the world’s largest museum prize. The shortlist includes Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, The Box in Plymouth, and London’s National Gallery and V&A East Storehouse. The winner, to be announced on June 25 at the Cutty Sark, will receive £120,000, while the remaining four finalists will each be awarded £20,000.

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.

An Important Urbino Maiolica Basin for the Clark

Un important bassin en majolique d'Urbino pour le Clark

The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown has acquired a significant 16th-century Urbino maiolica basin from the gallery Camille Leprince following its display at TEFAF. Attributed to the workshop of Orazio or Flaminio Fontana, the trilobed basin features intricate historiated scenes from the life of Joseph and elaborate grotesque decorations. The piece was a highlight of the fair and is accompanied by extensive research regarding its complex provenance.

Biggest ever exhibition of work by major British artist coming to Williamson Art Gallery

The Williamson Art Gallery & Museum in Birkenhead has announced the largest-ever retrospective of the influential 20th-century British artist Leonard McComb. Titled "Leonard McComb: Nature and Humanity," the exhibition will feature over 60 works, including the monumental 10-meter drawing "Rock and Sea Anglesey" on loan from Oriel Môn, alongside pieces from Manchester Art Gallery and the Royal Academy.

AIPAD’s 45th Edition Puts New Light on Favorites at Park Avenue Armory

The Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD) held its 45th annual Photography Show at New York City's Park Avenue Armory, featuring 77 exhibitors from North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and Australia. The preview night drew a crowd of photography enthusiasts, with highlights including strong representation of Latin American photographers such as Graciela Iturbide, Frida Kahlo, and Tina Modotti, as well as classic New York imagery from William Klein, Joel Meyerowitz, and Richard Avedon. Notable sales included a Lucienne Bloch portrait of Kahlo, which sold within hours of the preview opening.