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Could contemporary art be less wasteful?
What effect do contemporary artists have on the environment – and should this affect what we think about their work?
Shakespeare’s First Folio will set you back millions – but its cultural value is immeasurable
A complete version of the first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays is up for sale. What is it that makes this book so desirable?
‘He taught by example’ – a tribute to John Baldessari (1931–2020)
One of the inventors of conceptual art, and a towering figure on the West Coast scene, he was also a dedicated mentor to his students
‘He invented modern Glasgow’ – a tribute to Alasdair Gray (1934–2019)
The painter-novelist was one of a kind – but his influence will continue to shape the imagination of Scotland
Why the National Trust is trading in its Maori meeting house for a newer model
The decision to exchange the historic carvings of Hinemihi at Clandon Park for new examples is admirable – and creative
The Kariye Museum in Istanbul – a Byzantine masterpiece under threat
A court recently ruled that the ancient site be reconverted into a mosque, casting the fate of its well-preserved mosaics and wall paintings into question
Has the Sarr-Savoy report had any effect since it was first published?
It’s been a year since the publication of a groundbreaking report calling for the restitution of African cultural heritage in French museums. How has it been received?
And the winner of this year’s Turner Prize is… the Turner Prize itself
Despite the mutterings of most critics, the decision to award the prize to all four nominees makes a lot of sense – and is good for contemporary art
‘His writing was always alive to the deep pleasures of great buildings’
Remembering the critical insights and generous instincts of the writer and architect Charles Jencks (1939–2019)
Could national museums in the UK do more to be truly national?
Are the largely London-based institutions funded by central government doing enough to share their collections and expertise with the rest of the country?
London calling – Orazio Gentileschi’s The Finding of Moses at the court of Charles I
The National Gallery is raising funds to purchase Orazio Gentileschi’s biblical scene – once a prized possession of Queen Henrietta Maria
‘He always had the air of a boffin’ – a tribute to Huang Yong Ping (1954–2019)
The artist was a key figure in the avant-garde scene that emerged in China after the Cultural Revolution
We’re on the brink of Brexit – so isn’t it time the UK formed stronger cultural ties around the globe?
France, China, and other countries are leading the way on cultural diplomacy. When will the UK catch up?
The loss of Shuri castle is a devastating blow for the people of Okinawa
Destroyed during the Pacific War and restored in 1992, the castle was the pride of Okinawa. Now a fire has left it in ruins again
Do museums and galleries do enough for disabled visitors?
Richard Sandell and Chris Ingram discuss why museums still have a long way to go before they can claim to offer a fully accessible experience
The misplaced outrage over Damien Hirst’s dead butterflies
From sepia to rabbit skin glue – Hirst’s butterfly wings are far from the only animal products used to make art
What are museums really for?
The perceived role of museums in society has grown enormously in recent years – but how far does that reflect what they actually are?
The Whitechapel Bell Foundry should be a working factory, not a boutique hotel
Why is Historic England supporting a developer’s plans when there’s a better proposal waiting in the wings?
Polar bare – how climate change is destroying archaeologically rich sites in the Arctic
Thawing permafrost means the near-perfect preservation of ancient material in the Arctic will soon be a thing of the past
The closure of Nerve Visual in Derry is a real loss for the region
The building that once played host to the Turner Prize now stands empty. Where does this news leave Derry?
Is the writing on the wall for the private funding of museums?
As wealthy donors and corporate sponsors come under increased scrutiny, Maxwell L. Anderson and David Fleming address the future of museum funding
‘The elephant in this gallery is the cultural property seized by British troops in the 19th century’
An exhibition about cultural destruction in modern conflicts can’t help but remind us of earlier wars
How have the Italian museum reforms fared?
In 2015, Dario Franceschini’s modernising project heralded a newly international outlook for the Italian museum system. Is it sustainable?
Food for thought – the art of the museum restaurant
From casual cafes to fine dining – the eating options at a museum can tell us a great deal about how it sees itself