Ekow Eshun, a distinguished British curator and writer, has been appointed to lead the 13th SITE SANTA FE International Biennial, scheduled for summer 2027. Eshun, recognized as the first Black director of a major arts institution in the UK, the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, expressed his enthusiasm for New Mexico's enchanting moniker, "the Land of Enchantment," emphasizing the profound connection between land, imagination, and lived experiences.
In other news, the renowned Mnuchin Gallery in New York City will close its doors this month following the passing of its founder, Robert Mnuchin, at the end of last year. Despite its mixed legacy, the gallery has hosted remarkable exhibitions, including a captivating retrospective of Willem de Kooning in 2019. Its final show features the works of Julian Schnabel, marking a notable end to its journey.
Chelsea Bighorn is honored with the Walker Youngbird Foundation's 2026 Emerging Native Arts Grant. The talented Lakota, Dakota, and Shoshone-Paiute artist is seen here creating her unique textile art, which beautifully blends her Native American and Irish-American heritage.
The Tulsa Artist Fellowship has unveiled its cohort for 2026-2028, welcoming a diverse group of artists including Myiesha Gordon Beales, Derrick Estrada / Baseck, and Rebecca Nagle among others.
Additionally, the Asian American Arts Alliance announced the recipients of its What Can We Do? grant, supporting artists engaged with New York's Asian American Pacific Islander community.
In a significant achievement, Japanese sculptor Yuko Mohri has been awarded the $50,000 Calder Prize, recognizing her exceptional contributions to the arts.
Meanwhile, Conny Maier has joined the ranks of Société gallery in collaboration with Hauser & Wirth, while Ulrike Al-Khamis prepares to step down from her role as director and CEO of the Aga Khan Museum after a remarkable nine-year tenure.
Lastly, the Warhol Foundation is broadening its grant program to support visual arts initiatives at smaller organizations, responding to significant changes in the national funding landscape.
