The City of Detroit is nearing a pension cuts deal which may allow the Detroit Institute of Arts to spin off from city ownership, provided state funding, foundation contributions and Detroit Institute of Arts fund-raising would provide $816 million to reduce potential cuts to city pensions.  The city is sell engaged with talks with representatives from the city’s largest pension funds. (more…)

A New York court has denied a motion to dismiss the case against Christopher Wool by studio Brand X, which is suing the artist over a series of unfinished prints he contracted through the studio.  Wool had reportedly originally made a deal to collaborate on the series with Brand X in exchange for one third of the works from the series, but allegedly tried to renegotiate when he felt the works would be worth more than originally estimated.  Wool has ceased work on the series “to get the deal he wishes he made rather than the one he did make” as court papers accuse.  “No evidence has been heard in the case yet… In due course, the true facts will emerge and Mr Wool and Luhring Augustine Gallery will be vindicated,” says representing attorney Roger Netzer. (more…)