August 5, 2026
Your morning brew of art world media
Welcome to Art Spell, a daily, comprehensive roundup of art news and reviews for the visual arts community. Today’s Editor’s Pick is Why Museums Are Teaming Up to Buy Art by Jo Lawson-Tancred for Artnet. Museums are increasingly sharing acquisitions to cut costs, increase collaboration, and broaden public access to art.
Art in America
Jordan Eddy, Terran Last Gun’s Antique Accounting Ledgers Tell New Stories
The Art Newspaper
Amrita Singh, ‘Criminalisation of dissent’: Indian artist remains behind bars after workers’ protest
Gareth Harris, Valerie Hillings appointed inaugural director of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
Gareth Harris, V&A deputy director Tim Reeve departs to lead English Heritage
Graciela Ibáñez, The Australian Museum returns remains of Rapa Nui ancestors to Easter Island
Alexander Morrison, Fra Angelico’s earliest surviving altarpiece returns to Fiesole after restoration reveals hidden throne
Artforum
A.E. Benenson, Under the Skin: N. Dash Paints from Body to Land and Back Again
From the Editors, Calls To Rebuild The Glasgow School Of Art’s Mackintosh Building Gain Momentum
From the Editors, Vindicated Collector Bernardo Paz is Developing a New Museum in Brazil
From the Editors, Trump Administration’s Assault on Smithsonian Continues With Proposed Budget Cuts
From the Editors, Michelle Grabner Gifts Huge Selection To The John Michael Kohler Arts Center
Artnet
EDITOR’S PICK - Jo Lawson-Tancred, Why Museums Are Teaming Up to Buy Art: A growing number of joint acquisitions signals a shift away from decades of competitive collecting.
Min Chen, The Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden Blooms Again—and Other Art World Matters
Richard Whiddington, Palais de Tokyo’s Hunt for a Temporary Home Rankles French Art Collective
Richard Whiddington, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Appoints Inaugural Director
ARTnews
Harrison Jacobs, Spanish Police Recover a 16th-Century Virgin Relief Stolen 16 Years Ago From Monastery
Tessa Solomon, Guggenheim Veteran Valerie Hillings Tapped as Inaugural Director of Abu Dhabi Branch
Brian Boucher, A Colossal Ancient Marble Statue Emerges at a UNESCO Site in Turkey
Daniel Cassady, Sale of Insolvent Glasgow Art Center’s Archive Would Be an ‘Irreversible Loss,’ Critics Warn
Harrison Jacobs, Art Week NYC Names 76 Participating Galleries for Inaugural Event in November
ArtReview
From the Editors, The 10 Exhibitions to See in August 2026
From the Editors, Flávia Almeida takes on MASP presidency
From the Editors, Valerie Hillings appointed director of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
The Atlantic
Kelsey Ables, One Problem With Attacking the Smithsonian? Americans Like It.
Financial Times
Ella Mansell, 11 art shows off the beaten track
Frieze
Ellen Mara De Wachter, Elisa Giardina Papa and the Island That Vanished
Ivana Cholakova, ‘Labouring Bodies’ Turns Domestic Work Inside Out
The Guardian
Olaoluwa Olowu, Women behind the lens: ‘I may not be able to decide whose faces are painted on walls but I can make sure female boxers are part of that archive’
From the Editors, The Guardian view on 80 years of public funding for the arts: more vital than ever
Hyperallergic
Valentina Di Liscia and Rhea Nayyar, Trump Proposes Lowest Smithsonian Budget in Years
Anna Lee, Rice University Extends Free Tuition to Families Earning Up to $200K
Rhea Nayyar, Valerie Hillings Named Inaugural Director of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
Rea McNamara, Kimsooja Comes Full Circle
Livia Caligor, The Day I Pleated With Iris van Herpen
Matt Stromberg, 10 Art Shows to See in Los Angeles This August
Observer
Fred Voon, Where to See the World’s Most Remote Land Art
Daniel Grant, An Insider’s Guide to Ultra-Exclusive Private Museum Tours
Elisa Carollo, At the First Bienal del Agua, Demetrio Paparoni Makes Water Political
Sarah Moroz, Julian Schnabel On Showcasing the Essentials at Château La Coste
Urgent Matter
Adam Schrader, Interlochen report details decades of sexual abuse by 47 adults
Adam Schrader, Smithsonian watchdog questions $36,500 spent on Cooper Hewitt weapons exhibit
Art Spell is a free daily roundup of art news and reviews to help you stay current with what’s being reported on in the visual arts community. Help us grow the Art Spell community by subscribing and sharing the newsletter with friends and colleagues who want to stay connected to the art world.