Monster Mash: Walton family gives $800 million to museum; shortlist for Turner Prize announced
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
This post has been corrected. See the note at the bottom for details.
Major gift: The Walton Family Foundation has made an $800-million contribution to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art that will go toward endowments. The museum, scheduled to open later this year, has been spearheaded by Alice Walton. (Arkansas Times)
Cream of the crop: Organizers have announced the shortlist for Britain’s Turner Prize. (Guardian)
Second thoughts: The City University of New York has withdrawn an honorary degree to Tony Kushner, on the grounds that the playwright made disparaging remarks about Israel. (New York Times)
Officially open: The newest wing of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum has opened with an official ceremony. (Boston Globe)
‘Zodiac Heads’: A public art installation by Ai Weiwei has been unveiled in New York as the artist remains imprisoned by Chinese officials. (WNYC)
Donation: Record executive Mo Ostin is giving $10 million to UCLA for a new music center. (Los Angeles Times)
Sold: Christie’s International auctioned off $156 million worth of Impressionist and modern art on Wednesday, falling short of estimates. (Wall Street Journal)
Acquisitions: The Huntington Library is adding two 20th century works to its American art holdings. (Los Angeles Times)
Honored: Conductor Riccardo Muti has won Spain’s Asturias Prize for the arts. (Chicago Sun-Times)
Speculation: Will Neil Patrick Harris host the Tony Awards ceremony again? (Los Angeles Times)
Also in the L.A. Times: Gustavo Dudamel talks about being a father.
-- David Ng
[For the record, 1:30 p.m. May 5. An earlier version this post stated that ‘some’ of the Walton Family Foundation’s $800-millon contribution to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art would go toward an endowment. The money will go to endowments.]
