The British Council has confirmed reports from earlier this month that a YBA show planned for Moscow has been cancelled. The show had suffered from lack of funding, following the withdrawal of potential sponsorship funds from Russian patrons Vladimir and Ekaterina Semenikhin of the Ekaterina Foundation over harsh Western criticism of Russian involvement in Ukraine. (more…)
The sense of alarm surrounding the Detroit Institute of Arts is taking its toll on the museum, the New York Times reports. Concerned about the future of the museum’s collection, some wealthy patrons are less likely to donate works to the institution, and museum staff are dealing with consistently low morale. “We can take the threat. It’s the uncertainty we can’t stand. It’s the uncertainty that is clouding everything we do.” Says Director Graham W.J. Beal. (more…)
With the Eli Broad Museum set to open across the street from MOCA sometime next fall, the high-profile collector and patron has announced his intentions to withdraw his annual contribution of $3 million to MOCA, effectively stepping back from his longtime role as the museum’s leading supporter. Even so, Broad has expressed excitement about the potentials for his museum and its effects on MOCA, noting that it will increase the draw of art lovers to the area. “They’re excited about it. They know that we’re going to be a great attraction, we’re going to spend time and energy and marketing getting attendance, and they’re going to be the beneficiary of all that,” he said. (more…)
