UK government to increase DCMS funding by 4.1 per cent

Our daily round-up of news from the art world

UK government to increase funding for DCMS by 4.1 per cent | The UK spending review for 2020–21, delivered to Parliament yesterday by Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid, includes a budget of £1.6bn for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, a 4.1 per cent increase on the current budget – the first increase in several years. 

Magalí Arriola named director of Museo Tamayo | Magalí Arriola has been named the new director of Museo Tamayo in Mexico City, where she was chief curator from 2009 to 2011. Arriola rejoins the contemporary art museum after spending six years as a curator at Museo Jumex. She begins the role this month, succeeding Juan Andrés Gaitán.

Wildfires damage Bolivia’s rock art | Wildfires active in the forests and grasslands of eastern Bolivia are believed by archaeologists to have seriously damaged the region’s rock art sites, which contain paintings and engravings dating from as early as 1,500 BC. The dangers include rocks collapsing from heat and artworks being submerged beneath soot, but the extent of the damage can only be assessed once the fires are out. Wilma Alanoca, Bolivia’s minister for culture and tourism, has also raised the alarm that six 17th and 18th century Jesuit settlements, all UNESCO World Heritage Sites, may be at risk if the fire spreads.

Amy Sadao to step down as director of ICA Philadelphia | Amy Sadao has announced her intention to step down as director of the Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Philadelphia after seven years in the role, so she can focus on personal projects. John McInerney, executive director of the Sachs Program for Arts Innovation, will serve as the gallery’s interim director.