EMST, Athens’ National Museum of Contemporary Art, has won the 2026 Art Museum Award from the European Museum Academy. The award recognizes the museum’s socially engaged approach to contemporary art and its exploration of pressing social, political, and cultural questions.
Johnny Depp’s art takes center stage in Shanghai as Figures of the Fringe explores painting, memory, identity, personal symbols, and the creative world beyond cinema.
Hospital Rooms is marking its 10th anniversary with a two-part contemporary art auction at Bonhams in London. Featuring works by artists including Nengi Omuku, Mary Stephenson, and Veronica Ryan, the sale will raise funds for the charity’s Future Fund and its work bringing artist-led projects into mental health settings across the UK.
Tschabalala Self’s Lady in Blue has taken its place on London’s Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. The monumental bronze sculpture depicts a confident contemporary Black woman striding forward in a vivid blue dress and heels, challenging traditional ideas of who belongs on a civic monument.
Three Banksy artworks in London have generated nearly £150,000 in public costs since 2024. From the Royal Courts of Justice mural to the Waterloo Place statue and piranha police box, here’s where the money went—and why Banksy’s street art continues to blur the line between vandalism and public art.
Kerstin Brätsch has won the 2027 Zurich Art Prize, receiving CHF 130,000 and a major solo exhibition at Museum Haus Konstruktiv in Zurich. Discover why the German artist was selected and what to expect from her June 2027 exhibition.
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Ryoji Ikeda has won the Nam June Paik Prize. Discover why his groundbreaking work with sound, data and computation extends Paik’s legacy into the digital age.
At Duke University’s Nasher Museum of Art, Turn the Volume Up! explores how activist art can transform individual expression into collective action. Bringing together photography, sculpture, painting, prints, installation, and archival material, the exhibition examines protest, civic participation, historical memory, resistance, and the struggle to be heard.
At the Ford Foundation Gallery, Never The Same River brings six artists together to examine migration, identity, memory, and bodily autonomy through painting, photography, sculpture, and moving image.
Yayoi Kusama dies at 97, marking the end of a groundbreaking seven-decade career that made her one of the world’s most recognizable contemporary artists. Known for her iconic polka dots, infinity rooms, and immersive installations, Yayoi Kusama made lasting contributions to painting, sculpture, performance, fashion, and literature. Her influential career crossed artistic boundaries and inspired millions of people worldwide, cementing her legacy as a pioneering figure in modern and contemporary art.
Nottingham Contemporary will host Sarah Cunningham: Midnight Sun, a major exhibition exploring imagined landscapes, abstraction, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Bringing together previously unseen paintings, the exhibition traces Cunningham’s movement from recognizable landscapes towards speculative and dreamlike worlds.
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.
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.
The Baltimore Museum of Art’s latest acquisitions highlight a dynamic range of global perspectives while reaffirming the museum’s enduring commitment to supporting and celebrating Baltimore’s artistic community.
The Douriean Fletcher exhibition at the Walters Art Museum showcases more than 100 works celebrating the acclaimed jewelry artist’s career, from her iconic designs for Black Panther to original contemporary creations. Blending Afrofuturism, cultural heritage, and visual storytelling, the exhibition offers a compelling look at jewelry as both art and identity.
Pat Oleszko wins the 2026 Whitney Biennial Bucksbaum Award, earning the prestigious $100,000 prize for her groundbreaking contemporary artworks, including the acclaimed installation Blow Hard.
Sotheby’s achieved its strongest first-half performance ever, reporting $4.4 billion in sales between January and June 2026 as demand increased across art, design, and luxury categories.
The David Salle painting controversy heightens as Sprüth Magers Los Angeles removes a piece amid copying claims and criticism.
Can a river be a fence? Humid Traces explores hydro-politics and borders, revealing how states use shifting water to control movement and migration.