Picasso Museum workers in Spain held a silent protest to demand equal pay + Other stories

Art Industry News is a daily summary of the most important developments in the art world and the art market. Here’s what you need to know this Wednesday, May 24.

NEED TO READ

Controversy over Islamic art – A new report from the American Association of University Teachers has criticized Hamline University’s treatment of academic Erika López Prater after the former adjunct professor was fired for showing images of the Prophet Muhammad. The report called it an “assault on the fundamentals of academic freedom,” adding that the university’s characterization of the situation as “Islamophobic” was misguided. Fayneese Miller, the president of the university who fired López Prater, recently resigned from her post and will retire at the end of the next school year. (Inside Higher Education)

UK government to extend ivory ban – The ban on the import and trade of elephant ivory stipulated in the ivory law 2018 should be extended to five other animals: the teeth and horns of hippos, sperm whales, narwhals, killer whales and walruses. The extension came amid growing concerns over how hippos and other aquatic mammals will become new targets as the ivory ban is further tightened. The new extension will be voted on in parliament. (The arts journal)

Protest by Picasso Museum workers – Dozens of employees of the Picasso Museum in Malaga staged a silent protest outside the museum this weekend, as part of their campaign for better working conditions and wages. The demonstration coincided with The night in white (an annual event that promotes culture with free cultural activities). Holding banners that read “Museum of luxury, haggle the workers,” dozens of workers demanded wages and working conditions equal to those of other museums across the country. (Opinion)

Gropius Bau launches an AI program – The Berlin institution will launch a new program called Ether’s Bloom in June. Inspired by K Allado-McDowell, an artificial intelligence researcher and the institution’s new writer-in-residence, the program will explore the utopian and poetic possibilities of artificial intelligence. The artist recently broached the subject on our podcast on artistic angle. (Press release)

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Institute of Museums and Library Science Annual Awards – Four museums: The Center for Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio; the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum in Buffalo, Wyoming; the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and the Riverside Art Museum in California received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service for 2023, along with four libraries across the country. The award recognizes leading institutions in their respective communities. (The arts journal)

Kara Walker commissioned for installation at SFMoMA – The artist will create a large-scale, site-specific installation for the expansive Roberts Family Gallery at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The committee will open to audience in July 2024. (Press release)

Hauser and Wirth will open a location in Soho – The premier mega-gallery will open a new outpost in the Manhattan borough, bringing the number of New York spaces to three, including one in Chelsea and the Upper East Side. Located at 134 Wooster Street, the upcoming 4,000 square foot gallery will be accompanied by a restaurant operated by the Artfarm hotel group of Iwan and Manuela Wirth located just across the street. (Press release)

FOR THE ARTS

The Rijksmuseum receives the largest donation in history – The Netherlands-based museum has received a donation of 12.5 million euros ($13.5 million) from an anonymous private donor, which will be managed by a new support foundation. The money will support 10 years of annual sculpture exhibitions at the Rijksmuseum Gardens, which this year will feature British artist Robert Long, who has created six new works for the exhibition. (Press release)