The South Korean government has allocated a significant portion of its budget to enhance the country's cultural sector. The culture minister is prioritizing the development of a "global cultural powerhouse" while also improving everyday cultural experiences for the public. A total of 2.38 trillion won, or approximately $1.98 billion USD, will be dedicated to the arts and culture sector. This includes funding for initiatives such as the Integrated Cultural Voucher Program, support for young trainees in national arts organizations, and the creation of world-class performing arts festivals. Additionally, new programs have been introduced, including the establishment of Korean cultural cities, youth arts groups, and theater companies for children and the youth.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-12-11/national/politics/Culture-Ministry-finalizes-2025-budget-to-turn-Korea-into-cultural-powerhouse-/2198088Fifty talented artists from across Pakistan participated in a mural painting activity at the first-ever Digital Museum of Radio Pakistan in Islamabad. The event was organized by MilKar Pakistan and Alif Laam Meem, with students from Rawalpindi Women University, Government College University Lahore, and National College of Arts also taking part. The project aimed to celebrate Pakistan's rich cultural heritage and promote unity among the youth. Syed Kashf Ahmed, Project Director of MilKar Pakistan, highlighted the initiative's importance in empowering young people to express themselves through art. Hiba Ali Gohar, Founder of Alif Laam Meem, described the activity as an inspiring project that promotes peace and unity. The event was met with gratitude from Saeed Ahmad Shaikh, Director General of Radio Pakistan, who praised the organizers for transforming the museum's walls into a stunning masterpiece celebrating creativity and cultural heritage.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1260076-mural-painting-activity-on-walls-of-pakistan-s-first-digital-museum-commendedThe Art Institute of Chicago is hosting an exhibition called "Project a Black Planet: the Art and Culture of Panafrica" from December 15, 2024 to March 30, 2025. This event showcases African art and features works by Black artists.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2024/12/10/art-institute-of-chicago-explores-complex-terrain-of-pan-african-artYayoi Kusama is working with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) to create a new edition of her Infinity Mirrored Room series, titled "My Heart is Filled to the Brim with Sparkling Light". The exhibition will feature over 200 works by the artist, including a record-breaking ten immersive rooms. It will be the largest footprint of Kusama's work in the world and will take up the entire ground floor of the NGV International gallery, spilling out onto the trees on St Kilda Road in Melbourne. The exhibition includes new acquisitions such as "Dancing Pumpkin", a five-metre-tall bronze sculpture, and archival materials that showcase Kusama's early practice and socially engaged work from the 1960s.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2024/12/10/a-message-of-love-to-the-world-yayoi-kusama-unveils-new-infinity-room-for-sprawling-melbourne-showThe National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Korea has opened a new exhibition showcasing how Korean ceramics have been revitalized for the modern era. The exhibition, which was initially planned to take place in 2022 but was postponed due to the pandemic, features around 150 modern and contemporary ink and color paintings from the MMCA's collection as well as the National Art Museum of China (Namoc).
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-12-09/culture/artsDesign/Inked-in-history-MMCA-Chinas-national-museum-collaborate-on-sumuk-art-exhibition/2193490The Pinacoteca di Brera art museum in Milan is planning to expand its reach by connecting it to Palazzo Citterio through a passageway in the botanical gardens. The new link will allow visitors to explore a collection of contemporary Italian art, including works by Giorgio Morandi and Pablo Picasso, which were donated by collectors Emilio Jesi and Lamberto Vitali decades ago. The expanded museum will also feature a notable 19th century painting "Human Flood" by Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo, serving as a bridge between the Pinacoteca's existing collection of Italian Renaissance and Baroque art and the new contemporary art section.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/lifestyle/2024/12/09/milans-brera-boosts-its-cultural-cachetIn a small shop on Ancient Cultural Street in Tianjin, China, a large plaque proudly displays the name "Niren Zhang Family" or "Family of Clay Figure Zhang", attracting visitors' attention. The workshop of Zhang Yu, the sixth-generation inheritor of this traditional folk art, is located nearby. The Clay Figure Zhang craft, which originated during the Qing Dynasty's Emperor Daoguang period (1644-1911), was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006 for its lifelike figurines depicting various themes. To create these intricate sculptures, Zhang Yu shared his process and experiences with the Global Times, highlighting the enduring legacy of this traditional Chinese art form that has been passed down through six generations.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/12/08/tmt-newswire/pr-newswire/global-times-clay-figure-zhangs-works-naturally-reflect-spiritual-state-of-the-times/2018006Artist aims to build cultural links between the Philippines and the UAE by merging elements from both cultures in their art, highlighting shared values such as resilience, creativity, and community. They have attended events like the Kalayaan celebration at the World Trade Centre in Dubai, which marks the Philippines' Independence Day, and showcased traditional Filipino crafts, including hand-painted Bayong bags, during the Women's Run event on November 3.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/culture/2024/12/07/filipino-artist-jaimee-felysse-reyes-draws-the-world-on-the-uae-canvasArtist Rachel Boggioni's exhibition at the Holter Museum of Art in Helena invites viewers to reimagine everyday objects and materials, encouraging them to think creatively about their potential uses and meanings. By presenting these ordinary items in new contexts, Boggioni prompts visitors to see them through a fresh lens, sparking imagination and curiosity.
https://www.kpax.com/news/montana-news/whitefish-artists-pandemic-project-on-display-at-the-holter-museum-of-art