Briefing

Multidisciplinary artist William Pope.L has won the Whitney Museum's 2017 Bucksbaum Award, which recognizes artists featured in the recent Whitney Biennial. The award comes with a USD$100,000 grant and future exhibition. Adam D. Weinberg, the museum's Alice Pratt Brown director said, ‘For almost four decades, Pope.L has challenged us to confront some of the most pressing questions about American society as well as about the very nature of art. We are thrilled that he is joining the illustrious group of American artists whom we have honoured with the Bucksbaum Award.’ Past winners include Zoe Leonard and Raymond Pettibon. You can read Dan Fox’s take on this year’s Whitney Biennial over here.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has appointed Valerie Cassel Oliver as Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. Cassel Oliver will begin on 7 July, with a remit that will include a focus on acquiring more works by African American and African-diasporic artists. Cassel Oliver was previously senior curator at Houston’s Contemporary Arts Museum. In 2000, she co-curated the Whitney Biennial. In a statement, Cassel Oliver said, 'There are artists from myriad social and cultural backgrounds who are not fully represented in today’s art world, and we need to ensure their stories are part of the rich narratives we bring to life in our museum. I bring a perspective of inclusivity, and I want to create a context that engages a public that can see itself reflected in the museum.'

London’s Victoria and Albert Museum have announced a new photography centre. The new plans follow the museum’s recent addition of the Royal Photographic Society’s collection of prints, books and equipment, transferred from the Science Museum Group, and formerly held in the National Media Museum in Bradford. The new centre will be designed by David Kohn Architects, and will open in autumn 2018, more than doubling the museum’s current photography space .

The UK's general election is this Thursday: street artist Banksy offered free limited edition prints to those who vote against the Conservative party in Bristol. On his website, Banksy said that the prints would be mailed to voters if they sent in a voting slip proving they had voted against the Conservative candidate. The artist's promise triggered a police investigation, as the offer may constitute a criminal offence, contravening laws around voter secrecy and bribery. The artist later cancelled his offer, saying that he had received a warning from the Electoral Commission. Read our run-down of what the leading political parties are saying about the arts and culture.

Lisson Gallery is to close its Milan space after six years. Its final exhibition showcasing American artist Spencer Finch closed this May. The gallery moved to Milan in 2011 to expand its international reach. Lisson will now focus on its London and New York locations. The gallery celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Los Angeles' Acme Gallery is to close on 10 June after 22 years. A Heather Rasmussen solo exhibition 'Body Variations’, and ‘Tomory Dodge: Works on Paper’ will be the gallery’s final shows. Acme was founded by Robert Gunderman and Randy Sommer in 1994, who had both previously worked at alternative space Food House. It originally opened on Santa Monica, later moved to Wilshire Boulevard and last year relocated to the Elysian Valley neighbourhood.