Valerie Hillings has been named the first director of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, where she will shape exhibitions, programming, and the museum’s global vision.
The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi opening date has been confirmed for 11 December, marking the debut of the largest museum in the Guggenheim network. Designed by Frank Gehry, the landmark institution is set to become a centerpiece of Saadiyat Island’s growing cultural district.
Employees at the Victoria and Albert Museum have voted for industrial action over pay, workplace conditions, and staff welfare concerns. The V&A Museum strike involves union members seeking improved wages, better break arrangements, and changes to working practices across the institution’s London locations.
The Clark Art Institute Aso O. Tavitian Collection makes its public debut in An Exquisite Eye, an exhibition featuring 150 works from a landmark European art gift spanning Renaissance, Baroque, and Enlightenment masterpieces.
The return of 23 cultural artifacts from Switzerland marks another milestone in the global effort to restore African heritage. The repatriation reflects growing international recognition that cultural treasures taken during colonial rule should be returned to their countries of origin. As more museums and institutions embrace restitution, these returns are reshaping conversations about history, identity, and cultural justice across Africa and beyond.
Charli XCX has joined the National Portrait Gallery with a new portrait by Harley Weir, recognizing the artist’s growing influence on contemporary music and culture.
The Armory Show 2026 returns to New York’s Javits Center from September 24–27 with a new schedule, leading international galleries, and thoughtfully curated exhibitions. Learn about the updated dates, featured sections, participating galleries, and what visitors can expect from one of the world’s premier contemporary art fairs.
Sotheby’s auction of Antonello da Messina’s Ecce Homo was canceled after Italy purchased the painting for $14.9M, leaving many collectors disappointed.
The European Fine Art Foundation confirms the departure of its managing director after just over a year, highlighting ongoing leadership instability at TEFAF.
The Turner Prize winner, Nnena Kalu, is the first learning-disabled artist to win the coveted award. Her powerful, tactile, colorful abstract sculpture was the key to her success.