California College of the Arts to close by 2027
The California College of the Arts (CCA) will close by the end of the 2026-27 academic year, as announced by President David Howse, due to declining enrollment and a $20 million deficit. The 119-year-old institution, the last nonprofit art and design school in Northern California, will be acquired by Vanderbilt University, which plans to establish a West Coast campus for approximately 1,000 students. Despite receiving nearly $45 million in donations and a $20 million state allocation, CCA's financial challenges proved insurmountable, prompting the decision to wind down operations.
South Africa Cancels Gabrielle Goliath's Venice Biennale Project
South Africa's Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie canceled Gabrielle Goliath's video project _Elegy_, which was set to represent the country at the Venice Biennale, citing interference from an unnamed foreign country. Goliath, whose work addresses violence against women and queer individuals in South Africa and includes references to the Gaza conflict, has appealed to President Cyril Ramaphosa for support. The decision has drawn criticism from the selection committee that unanimously chose Goliath, which condemned the cancellation as an act of censorship.
USA announces 2026 fellowship recipients and grants
United States Artists (USA) has announced its 2026 fellows, awarding 50 recipients across ten categories—including visual arts, dance, writing, and film—an unrestricted grant of $50,000 each. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the fellowship, which has distributed over $53 million to artists since its inception in 2006. Among the 2026 fellows are notable figures such as Emmy Award-winning tap dancer Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew and banjo player from North Carolina, alongside the recipient of the $50,000 Berresford Prize, Lori Lea Pourier, founder of the First Peoples Fund.
Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey to Star in Sondheim Revival
Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey will star in a revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical _Sunday in the Park with George_ at London's Barbican Theatre, set to debut in Summer 2027. The production, directed by Marianne Elliott, marks Grande's return to the stage after her Broadway debut in 2008 and reunites Bailey with Elliott following his Olivier Award-winning performance in her West End revival of _Company_. The musical explores the life of painter Georges Seurat as he completes his masterpiece, _A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte_.
Roland Augustine Departs Luhring Augustine Gallery After 40 Years
Roland Augustine, co-founder of the Luhring Augustine gallery in Chelsea, has stepped down to focus on philanthropy after over 40 years in the art world. Lawrence Luhring will continue to lead the gallery, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, alongside directors Lauren Wittels and Donald Johnson Montenegro, who will transition from limited partners to equity partners. Augustine's departure follows a buyout of his share at the end of last year, and while the gallery can retain its name for three years, Luhring anticipates a name change sooner.
