Art Impact

The Path to Repatriating Boston’s Benin Bronzes

In 1897, a British official, James Phillips asked the oba (king) of Benin (or Edo), a modern-day region in southern Nigeria, if he could come to Benin City on a trade mission. The oba said no, but James Philips came anyway. He and seven other British members of the party were killed along with over two hundred African members, who had been conscripted as carriers.

Can Museums Adapt for the Future?

American museums have needed to adapt since March 2020, as has everyone. We have discussed how museums are faring during Covid and many are not doing well. We have talked about the furloughed and laid-off staff, the closures, the delayed or canceled exhibitions, and the heaps of dollars in revenue lost. But there is another important loss: credibility. Museums have been arguing that they are essential to

Skyrocketing Art Prices: Good or Bad?

Every few months, there is a sensational story about the latest work of art that has sold for millions of dollars. Art prices have been skyrocketing for decades and pieces like Salvator Mundi sold for $450 million a few years ago. In recent years, online sales have gone from $6 billion in 2019 to $12.4 billion just a year later.

Museum Education and Covid-19

We have discussed the many ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic on the arts. Because Artistic Connector views art education as vitally important, — being the conduit in the dialogue between arts institutions, artists, and communities— I think an article specifically tackling how arts education has been impacted in the last year is appropriate.