PreviewThe Year Ahead 2020
New museums and major expansions opening in 2020
From Tutankhamun's new king-sized home in Cairo to Munch's sleek space in Oslo, here is our pick of the big openings this year
NewsCentre Pompidou
Serge Lasvignes re-appointed as president of Centre Pompidou
French government endorses his strategy of establishing satellite branches overseas
ReviewThree to see
Three arty things to do at home this weekend
From the Getty's challenge to re-create masterpieces using three items to Firstsite’s activity pack with Antony Gormley and Gillian Wearing
NewsArt market
La Biennale Paris relies on government funding bailout to support dealers during coronavirus crisis
Exhibitors at the art and antiques fair in September will not have to pay the usual advance deposit and allowed to spread out payment over four months
NewsDubai
Expo 2020 Dubai—the Arab world's biggest ever event—now likely to open in 2021 due to coronavirus
Major visual arts programme still planned for multidisciplinary culture and science showcase in the United Arab Emirates
Newscoronavirus
Private galleries give some profits to public health organisations battling coronavirus
Hauser & Wirth is donating 10% of profits from its online exhibitions to “both local and global causes” as part of its new #artforbetter initiative
NewsMuseums
Tasmanian museum live streams 'human canvas' whose artist-designed tattoos are worth €150,000
Tim Steiner, whose entire back is covered in an ink piece created by Wim Delvoye, will sit in the empty Mona museum until the end of April
Newscoronavirus
Versailles goes virtual as French government launches digital programme to help history students on lockdown
The palace’s online platform will offer virtual reality experiences and a Game of Thrones-themed quiz
Newscoronavirus
Goodman Gallery is selling artist-designed blankets to raise funds for a Johannesburg clinic
Artists participating in the project include Broomberg & Chanarin, Nolan Oswald Dennis and Reza Farkhondeh
Newscoronavirus
Turkish government slammed for crowds at heritage sites as ticket collector reportedly dies from coronavirus
Worker at Istanbul's Dolmabahce Palace is believed to have contracted Covid-19, leading state to be criticised for not closing tourist attractions quick enough
NewsMuseums
Centre Pompidou was about to sign a deal for a satellite space in South Korea—before coronavirus struck
Curators at French museum plan to launch video game centred on contemporary art while its Shanghai satellite reopens to the public
NewsRestitution
'We want to be part of the solution': UK museum says it is open to discussing fate of Benin bronze after prince demands its return
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery wants to work in tandem with the Benin Dialogue Group, which is made up of institutions that hold the majority of the pieces
NewsObituaries
Albert Uderzo, the artist behind French cartoon icon Asterix, dies aged 92
"Asterix really showed me that history could be fun and daft,” says the Irish archaeologist Neil Jackman as tributes are paid to the artist
Featurecoronavirus
Here's how to apply for financial aid during the coronavirus pandemic if you're self-employed or a small business in the arts
We have gathered information about grants and loans around the world to help you get through the Covid-19 crisis
Newscoronavirus
There are more than 200 works for you to explore in this online Frida Kahlo exhibition
Google Arts & Culture is working with 33 museums to host this epic show of the Mexican artist
Newscoronavirus
Coronavirus: Manifesta 13 in Marseille on hold and Sydney Biennale goes virtual with Google Arts & Culture
Riga International Biennial of Contemporary Art has also been postponed
NewsFourth Plinth
Latest Fourth Plinth sculpture—a giant swirl of whipped cream topped with a drone and fly—delayed by coronavirus
Heather Phillipson’s subversive work was to replace Michael Rakowitz’s recreation of a protective deity destroyed by Islamic State
NewsRestitution
New guidelines for UK museums will kickstart nation's long-overdue restitution debate
Arts Council England will release a document that addresses the ethical and practical issues around restituting cultural objects, planned for autumn 2020
NewsAppointments & departures
Ex-presidential press director who led billionaire François Pinault’s art empire quits after six months
Sylvain Fort steps down ahead of Paris gallery launch at the historic Bourse de Commerce, which has been delayed due to coronavirus
NewsArt market
Online auction house Paddle8 files for bankruptcy
But firm says move allows it "to protect the company and its assets... we are not shuttering the business"
NewsCommissions
Eight emerging Arab artists are chosen to show 'ambitious' works across the world
The commissioning project Consortium Commissions provides artists with up to $20,000 to realise their projects
NewsCathedral of Notre Dame
Notre Dame reconstruction halted because of stringent coronavirus measures
Plans to remove the scaffolding around the fire-damaged cathedral have been put on hold
Newscoronavirus
Tate to close all four locations until 1 May due to coronavirus
Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Tate St Ives and Tate Liverpool will shut their doors from 18 March
Newscoronavirus
Use £120m Brexit festival money to help UK institutions in coronavirus crisis, Museums Association demands
Advocacy group has warned UK government that museums risk permanent closure due to the pandemic's effect on funding streams
NewsArts Council England
Arts Council England announces coronavirus crisis plan to compensate out-of-pocket artists and institutions
The national arts-funding body will refocus some grant programmes to help individual artists and freelancers withstand lost earnings
NewsArt theft
Three paintings—including valuable Van Dyck portrait—stolen from Oxford University gallery
London-based Old Masters dealer says that the works are “an unusual group to steal—neither priceless nor small fry”
NewsTurbine Hall
Anicka Yi—who uses bacteria and animatronic insects in her work—to make 'unforgettable' installation for Tate Modern's Turbine Hall
Korean-born artist’s multisensory work draws on scientific concepts to explore gender and race
NewsCovid-19
Coronavirus in Spain: Madrid museums including Prado shut but Guggenheim Bilbao remains open
There are currently more than 2,770 coronavirus cases reported in Spain with 64 deaths
NewsUK politics
UK budget: freeports, money for patching up national museums and new £250m culture fund confirmed
Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivers first post-Brexit spending pledges
Newscoronavirus
Paris fairs scramble dates in light of coronavirus outbreak
Salon du dessin contemporain has rescheduled its dates while Salon du Dessin organisers are in discussion about whether to still open later this month
NewsFunding
Fossil-fuel giant Shell ends its support of London's Southbank Centre
Decision comes amidst pressure from activist groups for UK museums to end their oil sponsorship deals
PreviewExhibitions
Rare Andy Warhol drag queen portraits go on show in Tate Modern exhibition
Near-forgotten series of striking portraits are part of a 100-strong show of works opening at the London museum this week
NewsBrexit
Hundreds of art organisations outraged as UK withdraws from €1.46bn Creative Europe fund
More than 680 cultural figures and institutions sign open letter over decision they believe "threatens an impoverished future for British creativity"
Newscoronavirus
Coronavirus in Italy: Ai Weiwei criticised for 'insensitive' pasta meme and Raphael blockbuster closes
An emergency decree means that all museums in the country are on lock down until 3 April
ReviewExhibitions
Three exhibitions to see in London this weekend
From the Hayward Gallery's expansive group show about trees to the erotic underbelly of the Victorian era at Tate Britain
NewsMusee d'Orsay
Anonymous €20m donation kickstarts Musée d’Orsay transformation
Radical revelopment of former train station building will make way for more Impressionist works and visitors
NewsGrenfell Tower
Relatives of victims who died in the Grenfell Tower fire look for input into Steve McQueen's film of tragedy
Support group, comprising family members of 33 people who died in the 2017 London blaze, say they feel “totally disenfranchised” by the artist's latest project
Newscoronavirus
Coronavirus travel restrictions force Venice Architecture Biennale to postpone opening until August
The biennial's 17th edition will now only run for three months rather than six
Newscoronavirus
Louvre reopens after closing because of coronavirus
The Paris museum held talks with union officials yesterday
NewsImprisoned artists
Kurdish artist Fatos Irwen released from Turkish jail after more than three years
Irwen was sentenced in 2016 on charges that included resisting the police at a protest she attended in 2013
NewsMadrid
Collector Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza invests in Madrid after leaving Vienna
Austrian patron donates work to Reina Sofia and commissions new piece by Ragnar Kjartansson to be shown at Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
Newscoronavirus
Coronavirus: Louvre closes while Italian museums reopen following government green light
Italian officials say cultural institutions can open to the public so long as they ensure “visitors respect a distance of at least a metre between each other”
NewsFakes & copies
'Stolen' ancient sculpture returned to Nigeria is 'the kind of fake you could buy on eBay', African art expert says
Countries' rush to restitute objects is part of the problem, says Belgian lawyer
NewsCollectors
Collector Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo drops plans for new Madrid space in former slaughterhouse
Italian patron is looking for an alternative site in the Spanish capital after encountering "structural problems" with Matadero's Nave 9 building
NewsArt market
Leading French auctioneer François Tajan dies, aged 57
The deputy chairman of the Paris-based auction house Artcurial was suffering from food poisoning
NewsMichael Rakowitz
Iraqi-US artist Michael Rakowitz's new anti-war monument in Margate points accusing finger at UK government
Seafront commission, which references the invasion of Iraq in 2003, is part of England’s Creative Coast: Waterfronts initiative
NewsOpenings
Green energy company powers Madagascar's first contemporary art non-profit
Hakanto Contemporary, sponsored by the eco-friendly Filatex group, is directed by the artist Joël Andrianomearisoa
NewsVisitor Figures
Louvre's Leonardo da Vinci show smashes attendance record with more than one million visitors
Previous highest figure was 540,000 people for the Eugène Delacroix show in 2018
AnalysisArab Spring
The ripple effect of the Arab Spring
Political upheaval across the region presents challenges—and opportunities—for artists and collectors
Newscoronavirus
Mass museum shutdown in northern Italy—including Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Fondazione Prada—as coronavirus spreads
Public and private institutions in Venice, Milan and Turin will stay closed for at least a week as more than 200 cases of Covid-2019 are confirmed
NewsUnited Kingdom
UK art schools begin 14-day strike action
Dispute centres on zero-hours contracts, pay devaluation, rising workloads and the gender and ethnicity pay gap
NewsArt crime
Suspect list in stolen Klimt saga grows
A woman connected to the museum where the painting was found is under investigation by the Italian police
NewsControversies
Russian artist Pyotr Pavlensky caught up in politician sex tape scandal is arrested in Paris
Dissident wants to create a “political porn” website focusing on behaviour of people in power
NewsFrieze Los Angeles 2020
Plans for Berggruen Institute's 'scholars' campus' in the Santa Monica Mountains move forward
First cohort of artist fellows includes Nancy Baker Cahill, Agnieszka Kurant and Pierre Huyghe
NewsExhibitions
Tate Modern to show Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Room in year-long exhibition marking 20th anniversary
Louise Bourgeois’s Maman spider sculpture will also return to the Turbine Hall
NewsVenice Biennale
Sonia Boyce chosen as UK's first post-Brexit Venice Biennale artist
Selection committee says British Afro-Caribbean artist "has consistently probed one of society’s big questions: how do we live with difference?”
NewsControversies
Embroiled in Palestine row, artist Zineb Sedira says she will not stand down as France’s representative at 2021 Venice Biennale
Pro-Israel arts group protested to French culture ministry about her appointment
FeatureVideo, film & new media
When will the art TV binge begin? Platforms like Netflix and Amazon are slow to show original cultural content
Streaming services have changed the way we watch television, but while they feature plenty of arts programming, there are few new commissions
NewsSerpentine Galleries
South African architectural practice Counterspace to design 20th Serpentine summer pavilion
Structure is inspired by places where people gather across London including migrant community hubs
NewsLeonardo da Vinci
Louvre to open non-stop over closing weekend of Leonardo blockbuster show
Free entry—plus coffee and madeleines—promised for nocturnal visitors in a move that will allow an extra 30,000 people to see the exhibition
NewsUnited Kingdom
Teenager who threw boy from Tate Modern viewing platform told carers about his plan to kill
Jonty Bravery said he wanted to “push somebody off” more than a year ago
NewsMuseums
Uffizi wins legal battle against 'cybersquatter' owner of Uffizi.com domain name
The unofficial websites were used to sell tickets to the Florentine museum at inflated prices
NewsColdWar Steve
From Bristol to Bermuda: satirical artist Cold War Steve asks public to download and exhibit his work
Exhibition project You, Me & Cold War Steve: the International Exhibition of the People has already been downloaded 3,000 times with scheduled venues across the globe
NewsDavid Roberts
Collector David Roberts—who closed London gallery to bring art to the regions—will focus 2020 programme on Scotland
Artists Lina Lapelytė, Paul Maheke and Nina Beier will present new live performance works at Glasgow International contemporary art festival
NewsLoot
Looted ancient temple sculpture—seized by UK police—will go home to Afghanistan
British Museum and Art Loss Register collaborate over recovery of ancient bull decoration that was consigned to an online auction
News US politics
'An impeachment tomb stone': Jenny Holzer creates work to mark President Donald Trump's trial
The skateboards are produced in a limited marble edition of 25 and a wood edition of 500
NewsSerpentine Galleries
How London's Serpentine Galleries is going green for its 50th birthday
Exhibitions in 2020 include Ghanaian photographer James Barnor, US painter Jennifer Packer, Chinese artist Cao Fei and Strasbourg-born Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster
NewsMuseums
'Don’t panic': Glasgow City Council calms fears over proposal to close city's Modern art museum
Popular gallery was on the chopping block in latest budget option review
ReviewThree to see
Three exhibitions to see in London this weekend
From dark and pensive Sudanese prints at Mosaic Rooms to An-My Lê's US road trip photographs at Marian Goodman Gallery
NewsSalvator Mundi
Was Leonardo's Salvator Mundi for sale when it went on show at the National Gallery?
Public collections usually avoid showing works that are on the market, but expert claims the $450m picture was made available to museums and collectors before the 2011 exhibition
NewsTurkey
Scribbled with a prison pen: detained Turkish designer's drawings go on show in New York
Washington Post design director tweets support for Fevzi Yazici who made the works in solitary confinement at Silivri Prison
NewsHong Kong
Despite protests and Coronavirus, former French prime minister and son press on with new Hong Kong gallery
Dominique and Arthur de Villepin say new space will be shaped by their collecting experiences and relationships with artists
NewsVenice Biennale 2021
Zineb Sedira to represent France at 2021 Venice Biennale
The artist is the first of Algerian descent to be selected by France for the international exhibition, according to Le Monde