The Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Florida will host a show featuring works from the Leiden Collection, including two previously undiscovered Rembrandt portraits. The exhibition is set to run from October 25, 2026, to March 29, 2026.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/10/billionaire-collector-thomas-kaplan-to-sell-rembrandt-drawing-of-a-lion-to-raise-funds-for-wildlife-conservationThis weekend, Philadelphia will host a variety of events celebrating women in music and the arts. Bands led by Samantha Rae Bowers (Sammie Rae & The Friends) and Tarriana "Tank" Ball (Tank and the Bangas) will perform at local stages. Meanwhile, Moore College of Art & Design is hosting its first FashCon, an event exploring fashion trends in Philly and beyond. Additionally, Philly Theatre Week's SaturPLAY will provide a platform for young playwrights to see their works come to life on stage.
https://whyy.org/articles/things-to-do-april-2025-second-weekend-philadelphia-delaware-new-jersey/The International Shakespeare Festival in Craiova is launching a free-access program that brings theater workshops, sonnet recitals, and outdoor events to cities and villages across Romania. The "Shakespeare Gallery: Touring Sonnets" will showcase the Bard's sonnets in a period setup, while a comedy performance called "Shakespeare Reduced" will feature shortened versions of his plays performed by three actors. Children and teenagers can participate in workshops exploring themes such as love and identity through theater games. The caravan, organized by the Marin Sorescu National Theater and the Shakespeare Foundation, aims to encourage participation in theater performances and contribute to theater education, following last year's successful "Shakespeare Caravan" that visited 30 cities.
https://www.romania-insider.com/shakespeare-theater-caravan-craiova-apr-2025Titiek Puspa, born Sudarwati in Tanjung, South Kalimantan, was a renowned Indonesian artist who rose to fame through her participation in the "Bintang Radio" competition and later as the founder of the Papiko operetta troupe. She became known for mentoring young talents and earned the title 'Mother of All Artists'. Puspa frequently performed at the presidential palace during Indonesia's "New Order" era, composed popular songs like Aku Anak Desa, and continued to create music even after being diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2009.
https://en.tempo.co/read/1995372/legendary-indonesian-singer-titiek-puspa-passes-away-at-87David Hockney's latest exhibition in Paris features a mix of vibrant landscapes and portraits, including his iconic "Portrait of An Artist (Pool with Two Figures)" which sold for $90.3 million at auction in 2018. The show includes works created on his iPad during his time in Normandy from 2019 to 2023, as well as pieces that showcase his trademark humor. Hockney, now 85 and living in a wheelchair with 24-hour care, has continued to paint daily despite health issues, including hearing loss. The exhibition is being hailed by art critic Rosenthal as proof of Hockney's consistent artistic quality over six decades, with some works drawing mixed reviews.
https://www.jordantimes.com/news/features/frail-david-hockney-celebrated-vast-paris-retrospectiveUAE-based Emirati artist Mahboob Al Awadhi has discovered his passion for drawing at the age of six, which has blossomed into a professional career. His paintings are characterized by realism, showcasing intricate details of nature and daily life in an astonishing way.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/artist-nature-real-paintingsFunk music has had a profound cultural impact, particularly through its connection to Afrofuturism, which emphasizes African diasporic culture and futuristic visions. Nigerian artist Fela Kuti played a significant role in taking funk back to its African roots, creating a unique version of the genre. This approach differs from earlier appropriation by white artists like David Byrne (Talking Heads) and David Bowie, who drew inspiration without fully adopting the music. The genre's inclusive nature has allowed it to resist cultural appropriation, making it an accessible space for diverse participation.
https://deadline.com/2025/04/we-want-the-funk-stanley-nelson-nicole-london-interview-1236363846/The Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMOA) has taken over as the new organiser for Hong Kong's exhibition at the 2026 Venice Biennale, replacing M+, which had been in charge since 2013. The HKMOA will feature a diverse selection of artists from a list of over 200 names, including those who have received government commissions or nominations from tertiary institutions and cultural authorities. This change is expected to promote Chinese traditional culture and Hong Kong's unique characteristics, according to Frankie Yeung, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3305807/2026-venice-biennales-hong-kong-show-gets-new-organiser-museum-art-replacing-m?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionKafui Dogbe, through her association Géants Arts Togo, is revolutionizing puppetry by merging art and culture, showcasing Togolese heritage to global audiences, and poised to become a cultural ambassador for the traditional art form.
https://africanews.com/2025/04/09/kafui-dogbe-revives-giant-puppetry-in-togo/