BEST?

Art Dealers Are Optimistic – Nearly half the art dealers surveyed in a new report say their earnings exceeded expectations in 2021, despite the ongoing troubles posed by the pandemic.

The Frida Experience – On the heels of international immersive Van Gogh experiences, Frida Kahlo is now getting the starry treatment.

Art for a Good Cause – Rashid Johnson and Cecily Brown are just two of the blue-chip artists auctioning off works at Christie’s to help fight fossil fuels.

New Museum Gets a New Employee – The curator and museum trustee Isolde Brielmaier will take the helm of the New Museum as deputy director.

The Fair Will Go On – Art Basel in Switzerland announced its exhibitor list for September, with some surprise galleries dropping out.

Kanye’s Affinity for Album Art – In Nate Freeman’s last Wet Paint column (?), the scribe does a deep dive into Ye’s obscure choice for his new album art.

Detectorist Digs Up More Treasure – An amateur metal detectorist made her second historical find in less than a year, this time unearthing a trove of Viking treasure.

Museum Halts Deaccessioning Plan – After mass protests, the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is reconsidering plans to deaccession artworks.

Huguette Caland Now – As the artist is celebrated at the Drawing Center, Ben Davis asks what it means that the daughter of Lebanon’s first prime minister is also one of the country’s most famous artists.

WORST?

Art Dealer Among Dead in German Floods – The Fluxus champion and art dealer Inge Baecker was killed in the ruinous flash floods that tore through Germany.

MoMA, More Problems – Employees at MoMA say that despite the end to 10 weeks of protests, tensions are high and jobs are still precarious.

U.K. Slashes Arts Funding – The United Kingdom is cutting arts funding in higher education by 50 percent, and putting those funds toward science and medicine instead.

Pornhub Faces Museums’ Lawsuits – The Louvre and the Uffizi are threatening to sue Pornhub for using artworks without their permission.

Art Restorer Arrested – The British art restorer Neil Perry Smith was taken into custody for his alleged role in a $143 million smuggling ring.

More Cuban Artists Detained – Cuban artist Tania Bruguera is the latest to be taken from her home for participating in anti-communist protests in her home country.

Vax Pass Required for Cultural Visits – France is now requiring visitors to prove they are vaccinated or test negative for COVID-19 before they are allowed into museums.

Curators Quit En Masse – Two Spanish academics resigned this week in protest of MACBA’s recent firing of two senior curators.

Art Fair Shakeups Continue – Top Frieze executive Rebecca Ann Siegel will leave her post at the art fair as the company sees a shakeup.