64 m. ago We in the cultural sector must stand up to Trump’s attacks – if not now, when? | Gus Casely

My former colleagues at the Smithsonian in Washington DC face unprecedented pressure. I urge them to defend their principlesGus Casely-Hayford is director of London’s V&A EastIn one of his recent Truth Social posts, Donald Trump appeared to fire Kim Sajet – the fearless and utterly brilliant director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC. The president used his social media platform to claim that Sajet’s support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) made her unsuitable for her role. “Upon the request and recommendation of many people, I am hereby terminating the employment of Kim Sajet as Director of the National Portrait Gallery”, Trump wrote. “She is a highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI, which is totally inappropriate for her position. Her replacement will be named shortly.”Where to start? By now, we all know the arts has become the terrain for a brutal proxy battle for hearts and minds. A culture war 2.0, where not ...

Politics

4 d. ago Trump says he fired National Portrait Gallery chief in latest conflict with arts

President says director Kim Sajet has been fired but experts suggest president does not have legal grounds to do soDonald Trump says he is firing the first female director of the National Portrait Gallery, which contained a caption that referenced the attack on the US Capitol that his supporters carried out in early 2021.The president announced the termination on Friday in a post on his social media platform that accused Sajet – born in Nigeria, raised in Australia and a citizen of the Netherlands – of being “a strong supporter” of diversity initiatives that his administration opposes as well as “highly partisan”. He cited no evidence for either claim. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Trump fires National Portrait Gallery director in latest conflict with arts

Move against Kim Sajet, gallery’s first female chief, comes as caption on Trump references impeachments and January 6Donald Trump says he is firing the first female director of the National Portrait Gallery, which contained a caption that referenced the attack on the US Capitol that his supporters carried out in early 2021.The president announced the sacking Friday through a post on his social media platform that accused Sajet – born in Nigeria, raised in Australia and a citizen of the Netherlands – of being “a strong supporter” of diversity initiatives that his administration opposes as well as “highly partisan”. He cited no evidence for either claim. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago ‘Art is an important way of depicting these atrocities’: London show shines a light on sexual violence in conflict

‘Art is an important way of depicting these atrocities’: London show shines a light on sexual violence in conflict  The Art Newspaper

Events

2 w. ago ‘I pray this calm lasts’: fear lingers in Kashmir amid uneasy peace

Residents of India-administered Kashmir worry root cause of conflict remains and return of violence is inevitableA week after fleeing artillery fire from across the border, Rina Begum returned to find her home in Kashmir devastated. The walls were cracked, the roof crumbling, windows blown inward, and glass shards scattered across the floor, mingling with the ashes of her daughter’s books.The 45-year-old gazed out through a fractured window frame at the looming mountains. “Hell has been raining down from there,” she said. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago English cricket stars are 'split' over staying in Pakistan amid country's conflict with India

Airlines have cancelled or rerouted a number of flights in the wake of India firing missiles across the border into Pakistani-controlled territory in at least six locations.

Events