Briefing
Arts Council England increases funding for regional art institutions; CAM St Louis loses its chief curator following a period of public outrage
Arts Council England increases funding for regional art institutions; CAM St Louis loses its chief curator following a period of public outrage
- The Arts Council England has announced a revised budget for the investment period spanning 2018 and 2022: £622 million will be released via three funding streams, a figure which signifies an increase of GBP£37million per year. The organization has also reiterated its commitment to art from the regions, with chief executive Darren Henley stating: ‘We’ll increase investment outside London without damaging the capital; fund more new, small and diverse organisations. And museums, libraries and arts organisations will apply to us on a more level playing field.’
- The Contemporary Art Museum, St. Louis, has announced that Jeffrey Uslip, its deputy director for exhibitions and programs and chief curator, will be leaving the institution. The departure is thought to be the result of a turbulent and damaging period for CAM, one that has seen a solo presentation of Kelley Walker – curated by Uslip – described as ‘racially and sexually charged’ and a member of its staff attacked at a gas station, an attack that was allegedly motivated by the controversial show.
- Klaus Kertess, curator, art dealer and founder of the influential Bykert Gallery, has died, aged 76. Between the years of 1966–75 when Bykert was operational, Kertess worked with a host of notable artists including Chuck Close, Brice Marden, David Novros and Dorothea Rockburne. He also curated the 11th edition of the Whitney Biennial in 1995.
- An exhibition opening in Istanbul’s conservative Tophane district was attacked recently by a group of locals, who were angered by both open alcohol consumption and the public mixing of men and women. Melih Apaydın, the founder of the space, claimed that the gallery’s visitors were not acting antisocially or provocatively, adding: ‘Tophane is one of Istanbul’s culture and arts centers. If we can’t open an exhibition here, where else are we going to do it?’
- Joseph Polisi, the president the Juilliard School in New York, has announced that he is planning to step down from his position after more than three decades in charge. Polisi, who has overseen a number of ambitious projects while at the helm, including the addition of 40,000 square feet to the Irene Diamond Building and the building of the first residence hall in 1990, will relinquish his post in June of 2018.
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