The Trump administration threatened “to withhold federal funds if it does not submit extensive documentation for a sweeping content review. … It was not immediately clear how much money the White House might try to withhold, from which parts of the Smithsonian or on what authority.” - Washington Post (MSN)
“The museum holds more than 40,000 items from across Africa, many of which were traded, collected, looted or preserved during the era of the British empire. … The names of makers, the cultural significance of objects and the people to which they once belonged are largely unknown.” - The Guardian (UK)
“Along with projecting portraits of Angelenos, Am I Next? highlights brief stories of people, including US citizens, accosted and snatched out of homes, cars, workplaces and the streets by federal agents, under the word ‘Taken.’” - The Guardian (UK)
The Frick’s new chief curator loves nothing more than researching the women on the walls. "What captured Ng’s attention, though, was Lady Skipwith’s forlorn expression. Was she as miserable as she appeared in the painting?” - The New York Times
After years of “fast-casual architecture” — blocky, drab grey hulks clad in relentless grid façades which look all the worse next to the city’s fine old brick rowhouses — architects in Philadelphia are getting back in touch with the craft of bricklaying and getting away from straight lines. - The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
Behind the walkout are not only frayed labor relations, but a building itself under strain, with crumbling parts of the aging former palace now deemed unsafe. At the heart of the crisis lies a deeper rupture: a $102 million jewel heist that exposed security failures. - APNews
“Dr. Nicholas Cullinan, the British Museum director, told The Telegraph that the project would be a ‘new model’ for working with countries seeking redress for colonialism, with former nations of the empire welcome to strike long-term deals for artefacts held in Britain.” - The Telegraph (UK)
“The decision was taken during a general assembly of museum workers, who voted unanimously to pause the strike to allow the museum to welcome visitors. … The suspension followed five meetings with Culture Ministry officials but said progress remains insufficient, particularly on staffing levels, pay and long-term security plans.” - AP
As trends go, one can only hope the style spreading through US museum design today will eventually fall out of fashion. All forms of creativity could use moments of self-reflection; perhaps it is time some museum architecture has its own. - The Art Newspaper
The newly updated renderings follow news announced last year that the studio led by Pritzker-prize-winning architect Diébédo Francis Kéré is designing the building, which will be located in a former parking lot in the Symphony Park area of Downtown Las Vegas. SOM is the architect of record. - Dezeen
"Workers at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art voted to unionize with (government workers’ union) AFSCME District Council 36, the union announced on Wednesday. The new union, LACMA United, will represent around 300 workers across the museum, from curators to art handlers.” - ARTnews
Unionized staffers voted unanimously on Wednesday morning to continue their rolling strike over staffing levels, building maintenance, security, etc. Management did open a “masterpiece route” in parts of the museum which allowed tourists to view its most popular attractions, Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. - ARTnews
Sellers tracking the market downturn started slapping lower price-tags on their pieces as well, which stoked momentum in the second half of the year. Overall, Sotheby’s and Christie’s sales topped $13.2 billion in 2025, up from $11.7 billion the year before. - The Wall Street Journal
In Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, a bumper crop of lavishly funded art and history museums is growing. They’re largely designed by foreign architects and, at least for now, developed and run by foreign consultants. Is enough local talent being trained to take over in the future? - Artnet
