Politics

Revealed: the first photograph of the Louvre's Leonardo book that was spiked over Salvator Mundi fiasco

The story of the "Léonard de Vinci. Le Salvator Mundi" publication that was withdrawn from sale

Farewell to contemporary art in Russia: the cancellation of the Moscow Biennale marks the end of an era

Dozens of contemporary art shows have been forced to close since the outset of the war with Ukraine—but this one was meant to serve Putinist propaganda

Italy's Uffizi Galleries forced to stay shut over public holiday due to staff shortage

Culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano criticises museum for not opening on the Monday before All Saints Day but director Eike Schmidt says government must step in to find "reinforcements"

Artist robot goes to UK parliament—and gives politicians nightmares

“Contemporary art project” Ai-Da gave evidence to the House of Lords, taking questions from bemused members

A dark winter looms for UK museums as energy costs and fewer visitors continue to hit revenue

The UK's 15 nationally funded museums have seen visitor numbers drop by over a third compared to June 2019, thanks in large part to the pandemic. They are now facing price rises, with government support still unclear

Controversial $1.8bn redevelopment of Delhi’s parliament complex enters second phase

A number of the Indian capital's major cultural institutions, including the National Museum, will be rehoused

Italy’s far right weaponises culture in the interests of nationalism

Concern over Brothers of Italy policies ahead of 25 September election

Art and activist body a/political to open London space with exhibition by Russian artist facing trial over sex video

Pyotr Pavlensky has been ordered to stand trial in France over leaked sex videos that brought down a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron

Poland demands Russia return seven paintings it claims were looted during Second World War

Putin’s international cultural envoy, Mikhail Shvydkoy, says Poland’s request has no legal grounds

Cameras illicitly planted in Palestinian olive grove will broadcast life from the occupied West Bank to museums worldwide

The initiative from new activist group headed by Jewish South African artist Adam Broomberg and Palestinian activist Issa Amro aims to reveal the realities of the Palestinian struggle in the ancient city of Hebron

Michelle Donelan named new UK culture secretary

The former minister for universities has been promoted under the new prime minister, Liz Truss

Brazilian arts sector condemns federal culture management amid fears of military dictatorship revival

As the October presidential election looms, the Bolsonaro administration is being scrutinised for its poor support of the cultural sector, while opponent Lula promises reform

UK culture secretary Nadine Dorries resigns amid party leadership change

Dorries, the 10th culture secretary in 12 years, was closely aligned with former prime minister Boris Johnson

First the Taliban, now local planners—Afghanistan's World Heritage site Bamiyan Valley endangered further

Unesco warns of risks of construction works in the archaeological zone where the Bamiyan Buddha statues were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001

Do the Taliban regret blowing up the Bamiyan Buddhas? New government takes steps to protect heritage

Leaders of the new Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan says it favours the conservation of the tangible heritage—including pre-Islamic monuments—but economic sanctions are getting in the way

‘It’s time to ditch the culture war rhetoric’

The next UK prime minister should abandon the war on "woke" and return to nuanced debate

Russian museum founder and former mayor faces prison for criticising Ukraine invasion

Yevgeny Roizman, who established the Nevyansk Icon Museum in Yekaterinburg, was until yesterday the last prominent opposition politician in Russia to not have been arrested for speaking out against the war

Outspoken Myanmar artist Htein Lin arrested by military government and sent to infamous prison

Artist and his British wife Vicky Bowman are the latest detainees of the brutal junta that has killed thousands of citizens

'Indian art is in deep crisis': Anish Kapoor on his home country, 75 years after independence

Freedom of expression in India is dead because of Modi's "Hindu Taliban", the artist says

Cubanews

Health concerns raised over Cuban artist and activist held in jail

Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara was sentenced to five years in prison in June

One year after Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, artists stage remembrance festival of kite flying

International event—featuring storytelling, music, poetry and dance—aims to bring awareness to the continuing plight of Afghans

Nancy Pelosi's controversial trip to Taiwan puts museum in the spotlight

US Speaker of the House visits National Human Rights Museum amidst tense relations between Taiwan and China

UK prime minister Boris Johnson resigns—here are the art world's reactions

From Cold War Steve and David Shrigley's creative responses to Bob and Roberta Smith's warning that bigger issues are at play

There is a ‘deal to be done’ with Greece over Parthenon Marbles, says British Museum chairman George Osborne

The comments from the former chancellor signals dramatic shift in museum’s policy and attitude ahead of planned protests this weekend

What’s with dictators and bad art?

Imelda Marcos is just one of a series of despots with appalling taste

Museums take action after report finds 'astonishing, nearly absurd' levels of government interference

State meddling is “annihilating capacity of institutions”, says commissioner of Museum Watch Governance Management Project

Letter from... Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan gallery owner Saskia Fernando says artists have found ‘an opportunity to use their art for greater purpose’ in response to the country’s economic and political turmoil

‘A shock to the community worldwide’: directors of Tate, Guggenheim and MoMA condemn ousting of Polish museum head

Critics say the sudden dismissal of Jarosław Suchan is the latest attempt by Poland's right-wing government at exercising greater control over cultural institutions

Anny Shaw. With additional reporting by Gareth Harris