This adorable "Gerbil With a Peal Earring," inspired by the famed Johannes Vermeer painting, was created by Filippo Lorenzin and Marianna Benetti for the Gerbil Art Gallery. Photo courtesy of the artists.
This adorable Gerbil With a Peal Earring, inspired by the famed Johannes Vermeer painting, was created by Filippo Lorenzin and Marianna Benetti for the Gerbil Art Gallery. Photo courtesy of the artists.

BEST?

Mega Foundations Step Up – A new $10 million fund will give $5,000 to 100 artists every week until September, thanks to 23 enterprising organizations.

Zwirner Looks to the Future – The mega-gallery is debuting two new online initiatives this April, featuring artworks that might otherwise be sold at art fairs.

Vermeer Meets Vermin – Self-quarantined creatives devised a tiny museum for their pet gerbils to enjoy, complete with masterpieces like Gerbil With a Pearl Earring.

Archiving in Real Time – Museums around the world are collecting coronavirus ephemera, documenting the pandemic for future generations.

Germany for the Win – On this week’s Art Angle podcast, Artnet News European editor Kate Brown explains why Germany’s new arts bailout package sets a new standard.

Artist for Hire – A new website is connecting prospective employers to artists looking for gigs.

Thomas Kinkade’s Toilet Paper – The late artist’s eponymous foundation is teaming up with NADA and selling a print by Thomas Kinkade depicting a roll of toilet paper for a fundraiser.

 

WORST?

Art World Mourns Ann Bass – The society staple and avid supporter of arts and culture died at age 79 after a long illness.

Organizations Are Rapidly Losing Millions – Art organizations are facing lean times, reporting a collective $4.5 billion in lost income.

Christie’s In Hot Water – The auction house was slapped with a $16.7 million fine for failing to collect New York sales tax.

A Brave New (Virtual) World – Artnet News’s Tim Schneider reports on the do’s and don’ts of setting up an online viewing room.

Furloughs Continue – The Solomon R. Guggenheim museum is the latest to make cuts, furloughing nearly 100 employees this week.

Survey Says… – A new survey reveals that among 650 international museums, many are seeing the majority of their income vanish in the wake of the pandemic.

Singapore Shuts Down – Singapore is shutting down museums and galleries in an effort to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

Germany’s Questionable Antiquities – A new report says that almost 98 percent of all “eastern Mediterranean” antiquities sold in Germany may have been trafficked.

Gagosian Pounces on Picasso – Eagle-eyed dealer Larry Gagosian has swooped in to offer a Picasso painting for $10 million, just days after it was restituted to a Jewish family.