The group Bp-or-not-BP stage a "splash mob" art intervention at the British Museum in protest against the continued BP sponsorship of the exhibition "Sunken Cities," September 25, 2016. Photo by Kristian Buus/In Pictures via Getty Images Images.
The group Bp-or-not-BP stage a "splash mob" art intervention at the British Museum in protest against the continued BP sponsorship of the exhibition "Sunken Cities," September 25, 2016. Photo by Kristian Buus/In Pictures via Getty Images Images.

BEST?

Gilliam Goes Big – Color Field painter Sam Gilliam has joined Pace Gallery, marking the first time he’ll be represented by a major New York City gallery.

The Motor City Gets Mega-Art – Detroit’s second Art Week kicked off with impressive, cutting-edge artworks to help boost the city’s reputation.

License to Heal – More hospitals and medical clinics around the world are investing in high-quality art to help their patients heal.

Women Rule Resale – Though men still make up the majority of the art market, a new study shows that the resale of work by women is becoming more lucrative.

Treasure Uncovered – A family unearthed a portrait of their late mother, and discovered it was painted by the master Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu.

A Real Big Spender – New York City set a record-breaking $212 million arts and culture budget for 2020, more than $50 million more than the National Endowment for the Arts’s entire annual budget.

Start Them Young – Our round-up of adorable children’s books about art are bound to inspire the next generation of creative minds.

Nazi-Looted Vases Returned – Christie’s auction house teamed up with the FBI to help return a pair of gilded French vases after spotting them on the German lost art database.

WORST?

Remembering a Color Crusader – The Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diez died this week, after a long career making vibrant installations of kinetic art.

Fire in Frankfurt – A fire broke out in the attic of the Museum of Modern Art in Frankfurt, though fortunately no art was damaged.

Richter Dashes Museum Dreams – Though city officials in Cologne are scrambling to make a museum devoted to Gerhard Richter a reality, the artist says he sees “no need” for it.

Social-Media Savvy Art Thieves – A Houston crime ring used online posts to target wealthy collectors, including local mayoral candidate Tony Buzbee.

British Museum Defends Big Oil – Under mounting criticism from environmental activists, the museum defended the financial sponsorship it receives from BP.

London Dealer Pleads Guilty to Assault – Joseph Nahmad, member of a powerful family of collectors and dealers, admitted to physically abusing his girlfriend on two occasions.

A MAGA-Fueled Melee? – Jahangir “John” Turan, owner of New York’s David Parker Gallery, says he was attacked by a gang of teenagers for wearing a “Make America Great Again” cap.

Mona Lisa Move Spurs Chaos – The temporary rehang of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous painting led to long lines, angry crowds, and mass confusion.