Dubai's Harakat Sikka Animation Training Programme Launches
8.4.25
Dubai's first stop-motion animation programme, Harakat Sikka, is now accepting applications for a practical training course. The programme, part of the Sikka platform, aims to develop visual storytelling skills among young creatives and support the growth of Dubai's animation sector. Led by director and artist Boubaker Boukhari, the 10-participant course will run from August 18 to September 26 at House 436 in Al Shindagha. Participants will learn about each stage of the animation process, including concept development, storyboarding, character design, visual and audio production, and editing. The programme concludes with a public screening of participants' short films at the Sikka Art and Design Festival. Applications are open to UAE nationals and residents aged 18 and above, with a deadline of August 8.
Three high school students from the Alignment Collaborative for Education's internship program, Avery Lilly, Malcolm Wilson, and Gia Mangriotis, designed and painted a mural on a storage trailer outside the Taylor YMCA in Elgin. The project was part of ACE's first visual arts internship, which aims to provide students with hands-on experience and academic credit. The interns received guidance on building their portfolios and websites, as well as help designing business cards. Fifty-five different organizations hosted the interns, who are paid either fully or through grants and donors. The mural was unveiled on Monday and is part of a $250,000 investment by the community and schools in ACE's program this summer.
LACMA Raises $3M with Art Donations from Elite Patrons
8.4.25
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has raised nearly $3m during its annual Collectors Committee Weekend and acquired works by artists Tavares Strachan, Judith Baca, Suzanne Jackson, among others. The gifts and acquisitions were made possible through the generosity of donors such as Hannah McGivern and the Ahmanson Foundation, which has been a long-time patron of LACMA.
Museums Shift from Traditional Philanthropy Models
8.4.25
US museums are shifting away from traditional philanthropic models, with institutions like the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston and the Andy Warhol Museum forming unconventional partnerships and launching spin-off businesses. This shift is driven by a need for sustainability, as highlighted in recent articles by Julia Halperin. The author notes that docents, often white, middle-class individuals, embody the tensions between tradition and change in US museums. Additionally, the recruitment process for new museum directors has come under scrutiny, with some questioning its transparency. To address these issues, the Readying the Museum group has created a blueprint to prioritize public engagement over trustee influence, aiming to promote equity within institutions and make them more accountable to their communities.
Altai Tattoos Reveal Ancient Artistic Skill and Craftsmanship
8.3.25
Archaeologists have used infrared imaging to study the intricate tattoos of the Pazyryk culture, Iron Age pastoralists from the Altai Mountains. The tattoos, which were invisible to the naked eye when first discovered in the 1940s, can now be seen in high-resolution images taken using digital near-infrared photography. These images reveal detailed designs including leopards, stags, and a mythical creature, suggesting that tattooing was not just decorative but a skilled craft requiring technical ability and training. The study of these tattoos provides new insights into prehistoric body modification practices and challenges the idea that they were solely symbolic decorations.
Angklung Beats Save Indonesian Language in Canberra Schools
8.3.25
The angklung playing training at schools and a concert at the Indonesian Embassy during the Diaspora Canberra event aim to boost interest in learning the Indonesian language, which has been declining among Australian students. The initiative is part of an effort to save the Indonesian language from being removed from the Australian school curriculum if interest continues to dwindle.
Arespacochaga's Tribute: A Filipino Storytelling Odyssey
8.3.25
The upcoming staging is a tribute to honor Arespacochaga's work, infused with Filipino tradition, history, resilience, and storytelling culture. The event aims to showcase what makes the Philippines unique through its storytelling, staging, and visuals, making it a surprise for viewers who must watch the show to experience its uniqueness.
Bihar Launches Platform for Artisans' Global Expansion
8.3.25
Bihar is set to connect its entrepreneurs with global markets through a platform that enables direct access to funding agencies, venture capitalists, and policy stakeholders. The platform aims to help Bihar's artisans, such as those producing Madhubani paintings and bamboo-clay crafts, scale up their businesses and expand globally.
Chinese Artist Awaits US Visa Decision Amid Scrutiny
8.3.25
Chinese artist Dang Tianzheng, born in Shanghai and now living in Brisbane, is awaiting a decision on his F-1 visa application for the US. The US has recently introduced stricter scrutiny of student visas, including those for Chinese students, following a directive by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, this policy appears to have been partially reversed after President Trump announced a trade agreement with China. Dang's experience has inspired some of his works in his solo exhibition "Visionary Journeys" at The Substation in Paddington, which opened on August 6.