Art Outlook: 10 July

Some of the stories and discussions we’ve spotted online this week:

The Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year

Congratulations to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, which was announced as the Art Fund’s Museum of the Year at a ceremony in London’s National Gallery last night.

Sandy Nairne to become Chair of the Clore Leadership Programme

The current director of the National Portrait Gallery won’t be resting on his laurels when he retires early next year. Today it was announced that he is to be the next chair of the Clore Leadership Programme.

Art expert argues against the sale of Detroit Institute of Art’s Collection

‘Rather than being a source of cash to creditors or a burden on the current city, in fact, the DIA is the single most important cultural asset the city currently owns’. Michael Plummer’s report on the DIA’s collection advises against a sale, which despite being valued at around $4.6 million, would only generate less than half that in revenue.

Strikes affect UK museums

Museum staff are among the thousands of UK public sector workers participating in today’s coordinated strike action, part of a bid by the National Union of Teachers, Unite, Unison and the GMB for better pay and working conditions.

Old Masters and millions: another record-breaking sale at Sotheby’s

Last night, Sotheby’s in London staged their most successful Old Master and British Painting sale to date, making a total of £68.3 million. The auction house is also staging its first private selling show of Old Master art, ‘Contemplating the Divine’.

Brand Abramoviç

Last week we shared a meme which recast Marina Abramoviç as the model in a cold and flu medicine advert. But it turns out she has been working on an advertisement after all – she’s teamed up with Adidas to release this bizarre short film/commercial.

Pubic hair, public outrage

Art has broken taboo after taboo over the years, but – despite the fact that a substantial chunk of historic painting is given over to the female nude – the depiction of pubic hair might still be a step too far. Leena McCall’s ‘controversial’ painting has been removed from the Mall Galleries in London after a string of complaints…