June 18, 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 US House Appropriations Committee Proposes Cutting Department of Education’s Only Arts Grant Program by Andy Battaglia for ARTnews. A House budget proposal would eliminate the federal government’s only dedicated arts education grant program, jeopardizing millions in funding for schools and students.
The Art Newspaper
Sophia Kishkovsky, ‘Everything indicates’ murder of Russian dissident artist in Poland was a political killing
Elena Goukassian, Dealer David Nahmad given 30 days to return Nazi-looted Modigliani painting
Anny Shaw, Training scheme for budding curators from lower socio-economic backgrounds receives £3m donation
Senay Boztas, Redesign of Dutch Van Abbemuseum aims to make museum-going more accessible
From the Editors, Across Art Basel, the art world celebrates David Hockney
Gareth Harris, Art Basel Qatar to move to Herzog & de Meuron-designed venue
Gareth Harris, Paula Cooper Gallery wins first Art Basel Gallery Legacy Award
José da Silva, ‘Christopher Wool’s ‘Bad Dog’ was a wonderful way to start a collection’: Gitti Hug on what she collects and why
Gabriella Angeleti, Mexican authorities urge Sotheby’s to stop sale of two pre-Columbian artefacts
Mercedes Ezquiaga, Right-wing politician’s complaint against Masp exhibition dismissed in Brazil
Benjamin Sutton, Memphis Art Museum reveals opening date and inaugural exhibitions for new building
Artforum
Jonathan Griffin, Lumber Labor: Hyperrealist paintings by John Hodgkinson represent reality without drawing directly from it
From the Editors, Russian Artist And Political Dissident Robert Kuzovkov Shot Dead In Poland
From the Editors, Houston Museum Displays Vandalized Painting Unrestored
From the Editors, José Roca Named Curator of 37th Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts
From the Editors, 2026 Frieze Seoul Artist Award Goes to Yagwang
Artnet
Jo Lawson-Tancred, Basel Social Club Is Your Worst Corporate Nightmare—and Your Best Night Out
Vittoria Benzine, Meow Wolf Puts Its Trippy Spin on ‘The Simpsons’ Opening Theme
Richard Whiddington, The Art Heist That Had It All—Monet, the Mafia, and Millions—Is Now a Docuseries
Vittoria Benzine, Ai Weiwei to Reenact His Detention in First Durational Performance
Richard Whiddington, Want to Meditate With Van Gogh? The Getty Has a Mindfulness Podcast for That
ARTnews
Maximilíano Durón, Menil Collection Launches New Commission Program, with Teresita Fernández as Inaugural Artist
Leigh Anne Miller, Staff of Kampala-based Umoja Art Gallery Denied Visas, Preventing Participation in Africa Basel Art Fair
Sarah Belmont, The Best Booths at Art Basel in Basel, From Snoopy Climbing a Ladder to Upscaled Bronze Dominoes
Brian Boucher, Memphis Art Museum Announces Opening Date for New Herzog & de Meuron–Designed Home
Tessa Solomon, Coalition of Attorneys General File Amicus Brief in Support of Suit to Halt Construction of Trump’s Triumphal Arch
Brian Boucher, Dissident Russian Artist Robert Kuzovkov, aka Semyon Skrepetsky, Gunned Down in Poland
EDITOR’S PICK - Andy Battaglia, US House Appropriations Committee Proposes Cutting Department of Education’s Only Arts Grant Program: The Assistance for Arts Education program was established in 2015 to support disadvantaged students and children with disabilities.
ArtReview
From the Editors, José Roca to curate Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts
From the Editors, Soyoung Yoon appointed director of Whitney’s Independent Study Program
The Guardian
Rich Pelley, ‘You learn how to be idiotic artists’: Gilbert & George on fame, rebellion and their mystery new collaborator
Annie Kelly and Charlotte Higgins, Culture wars: the fight to save Ukraine’s art – podcast
James Hamilton, Nicholas Pope obituary
Hyperallergic
Emma Cieslik, 10 Art Shows to See in DC This Summer
Daria Simone Harper, Kim Dacres Sculpts Resilience in Rubber
Ela Bittencourt, In a Volatile Market, Art Basel Galleries Bet on Our Attention
Lisa Yin Zhang, Remembering David Hockney, Duane Michals, and Danny Simmons
Rhea Nayyar, Adorable Duck Family Steals Hearts at Frick Museum
Isa Farfan, Russian Dissident Artist Killed in Poland
The New York Times
Vanessa Friedman, Yves Saint Laurent and Photography: A Hot and Heavy Romance
Karen Rosenberg, Giacometti’s Goddesses Have Entered the Temple
Scott Reyburn, At Art Basel, a Nervy, Make-or-Break Mood
Michael Kimmelman, Can a Federal Plan Fix Dismal Penn Station? There’s Hope.
Observer
Dani Lamorte, Middle Node and What It Takes to Build an Art Scene Outside New York and L.A.
Elise Morton, “Climate Clock” in Oulu Reckons With a Warming World
Siddhant Adlakha, Michael Gallagher’s ‘The Leader’ Drops the Ball Dramatically
Elisa Carollo, In Basel, a Cautious But Committed Market Rediscovers Its Nerve
Urgent Matter
Adam Schrader, Bronze wolf links Vilnius and Rome on Gediminas Hill
Adam Schrader, Chinese court delays verdict for jailed artist Gao Zhen by three months
Adam Schrader, These photos are terrible but they just won $50,000 and a trip to Iceland
Adam Schrader, Ansel Adams trust disputes Danziger’s account of A.I. ‘Moonrise’ fight
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