Politics
From shadow bans to privacy laws: how the internet has become less free—by stealth
The chilling of artistic freedom is impacting artists and those they connect with
Canaries in the coal mine: is the art world facing a rising tide of censorship?
The death of the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny last month, after years of confinement in a Siberian jail, and subsequent quelling of protest, emphasised the flourishing of censorship across a globe riven by geopolitical crises, in a year when democracy is put to the test in more than 70 countries. With the threat of electoral misinformation being boosted by AI-generated content and social media algorithms, artists have been warning of new kinds of censorship. The effect is being felt in real life, online and in social media
Despite the no vote, Australia reinforces First Nations voices
While a referendum to recognise Indigenous people failed, the country’s cultural institutions are striving to reflect their lives
How Poland’s new government has begun shaking up the arts sector
Donald Tusk’s coalition is revoking cultural leadership appointments made by the previous right-wing regime—but is cancelling Poland’s Venice Biennale artist a step too far?
Istanbul mayor sees culture as ‘locomotive’ in re-election bid
Restoring ancient city’s heritage sites and opening Modern art venues is central to Ekrem İmamoğlu’s campaign
Taiwan’s cultural sector seeks higher profile as country heads to polls
As three contenders battle it out to become president, artists plead for them to see there is more to Taiwan than semiconductors
The Parthenon Marbles and the myth of the slippery slope
There are some very spurious arguments coming from those resisting the return of the marbles to Greece
Polish pavilion selection at Venice Biennale gets political as rejected artist cries censorship
Ignacy Czwartos was chosen to represent Poland but his exhibition concept has been ditched by the new government
India's first family of art looks back over 60 years of history and politics
Anniversary exhibition at Mumbai's oldest gallery, Chemould Prescott Road, dusted off the archives, featuring artists such as Mithu Sen and Atul Dodiya
A change of regime in Poland presents challenges and opportunities for the culture sector
After eight years of the right-wing PiS-led government, breaking down the silos in the country's arts sector will be key
President Putin boosts presidential bid at two prime Moscow culture spots
Run for fifth term held against backdrop of nationalist exhibitions while clampdown continues on artists and writers
New online magazine ‘celebrates and salutes’ Palestinian artists
Union Magazine, launched by the Berlin- and West Bank-based organisation Artists and Allies of Hebron, hopes to resist a polarised political climate
Argentina’s new president Javier Milei does away with culture ministry 24 hours after taking office
The new far-right president halved the number of government ministries (and devalued the peso by 50%) in a show of “control” over the nation and its economic troubles
Political art stays peripheral at Art Basel in Miami Beach
Fair’s stands largely remain neutral despite multiple hot-topic issues in the world today
Fears for artistic expression in Russia as ministry files motion to classify 'the international LGBT public movement' as 'extremist'
Members of the country's cultural sector are among those concerned about harsh punishments for perceived violations should the declaration be signed off
Uffizi director Eike Schmidt hits out at mayor of Florence—fuelling rumours of his own political ambitions
Schmidt has criticised Dario Nardella for plans to deploy security guards at shopping centres in the city, after suggestions for similar protection at the museum were rejected
Ahead of Argentina’s runoff election, the country’s art sector faces economic crisis and political upheaval
With far-right candidate Javier Milei slightly ahead in polls before the 19 November election, Argentina’s resilient cultural sector braces for turmoil
Three members of jury that voted on Poland's 2024 Venice Biennale pavilion show hit out at plans
The trio are part of a larger group of critics arguing that the exhibition follows the narrative of the current Law and Justice (PiS) government's “right-wing, martyrdom-oriented cultural policy”
‘We live in an age of escalating violence. Art teaches us to listen, to see, to wait for understanding’
As the world reels from wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and we face a global climate catastrophe, how should artists and cultural organisations respond?
Australia's National Library is seeking campaign material from the Indigenous Voice referendum
Items from "all perspectives" about the debate are being sought
After referendum defeat, Indigenous Australian artists reclaim their voice in Adelaide
The Tarnanthi art festival features more than 1,500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists
Poland's arts community cautiously optimistic as right-wing ruling party fails to win majority
Poles voted in record numbers on the weekend, paving the way for the opposition parties led by Donald Tusk to form a coalition government
Tania Bruguera exhibition in Chile opens in modified form after uproar over artist's political stance
The Salvador Allende Solidarity Museum delayed the opening of the Cuban-born artist's solo exhibition amid pushback from Allende family members and supporters
Qatar Museums fly Palestinian flag in the aftermath of Hamas attack on Israel
Sheikha Al-Mayassa shared images on social media of the Palestinian flag projected on the façades of the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar
Leaked report suggests Canada may abandon prime minister's crumbling home
The historic property in Ottawa needs more than $27m worth of repairs, but creating a brand new residence could cost more
Museums in line of fire ahead of Polish election
Opposition parties, not government, behind latest sacking of cultural leader
Spain seeks to improve artists' rights across EU but labour reforms at home fall short
MEPs back new support measures for creatives following Spain's Statute of the Artist decree, now in political limbo
Russia’s boycotted Hermitage Museum inks culture deal with Iranian research institute
Cooperation agreement follows Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy strategy to forge closer ties with Iran
Unesco adds junta prison in Argentina to World Heritage list
As the ESMA Museum and Site of Memory in Buenos Aires gains international recognition, the history it seeks to safeguard is under attack by Argentina’s extremist frontrunner in the upcoming presidential election
France suspends cultural cooperation with three West African countries
France's culture minister said the country “never boycotts artists”, but artists and performers from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso will no longer be granted visas