As November bids us goodbye, we find ourselves caught between the cozy allure of Christmas markets brimming with mulled wine and the electrifying anticipation of Art Basel Miami Beach, a cornerstone of December’s cultural calendar, where the art world converges for a week of high-profile exhibitions, glittering parties, and sun-soaked creativity, whether you’re crafting your holiday wish list, plotting your art radar itinerary, or simply preparing for a season of festivities, November served up no shortage of surprises, from seismic shifts in the art world to bold moves in fashion and culture, here’s a roundup of the most memorable “Hellos and Goodbyes” that made November vibrant and set the stage for December’s sparkle, think of this as your perfect mix of wit, insight, and seasonal cheer to kick off the month:
1. Miren Arzalluz Appointed Director General of Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
The Basque Country is about to see its cultural heart get a fresh pulse as Miren Arzalluz, renowned art historian and curator, steps in as the new Director General of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in April 2025, currently dazzling Paris as the head of the Palais Galliera Fashion Museum, Arzalluz plans to bring her knack for blending local charm with global pizzazz back home, from deepening the museum’s Basque roots to expanding its international footprint, she’s set to redefine what this iconic museum can achieve, and let’s not forget her sharp vision and stellar reputation make this appointment as stylish as a Bilbao pintxo with a glass of txakoli.
2. Audrey Sands Joins Harvard Art Museums as Associate Curator of Photography
Audrey Sands is packing her impressive resume and heading to Harvard, where she’ll become the Richard L. Menschel Associate Curator of Photography come February 2025, overseeing a whopping 75,000 photos that span the historic, the contemporary, and everything in between, Sands will focus on using photography to spark discourse, empathy, and innovation, from highlighting social justice to elevating the art of the snapshot, Sands’s expertise is a picture-perfect match for Harvard’s commitment to creating an environment that fosters inclusion and belonging, and we can’t wait to see what develops.
3. Kitty Scott Named Chief Curator of the 15th Shanghai Biennale
Kitty Scott, Canada’s gift to the curatorial world, is heading east to lead the 15th Shanghai Biennale in 2025–2026, the theme, “Does the Flower Hear the Bee?”, promises to buzz with exploration of unseen communication and sensory connections in nature and art, with her enviable track record at places like the National Gallery of Canada and Serpentine Gallery, Scott is poised to make this Biennale bloom with creativity, expect a hive of activity where audiences and nature interact in ways as sweet as honey.
4. Christine Tohmé to Curate the 18th Istanbul Biennial
Christine Tohmé has big plans for Istanbul’s art scene, and she’s not doing it by halves, the 18th Istanbul Biennial, which she’ll curate over three ambitious years from 2025 to 2027, promises to be a groundbreaking mix of exhibitions, dialogue, and long-term cultural engagement, known for her work fostering community resilience and collaboration, Tohmé is redefining how a Biennial operates, it’s not just art, it’s an ongoing conversation that refuses to be rushed, proving that slow and steady wins the creative race.
5. Yto Barrada to Represent France at the Venice Biennale 2026
French-Moroccan artist Yto Barrada is about to add a global feather to her cap by representing France at the 2026 Venice Biennale, her work, celebrated for addressing migration, environmental issues, and cross-cultural narratives, feels tailor-made for this prestigious stage, with her knack for blending storytelling with striking visuals, Barrada’s contribution promises to be as rich and layered as the histories she draws upon, shall we expect the French pavilion to be both a showstopper and a conversation starter? Let’s see what the future brings.
6. Cédric Charbit Appointed CEO of Saint Laurent
Cédric Charbit is leaving Balenciaga to take the helm at Saint Laurent in January 2025, marking a return to the iconic brand where he previously shaped its product strategy, this move feels like the perfect blend of nostalgia and ambition, Charbit’s sharp eye for reinvention, honed at Balenciaga, will surely bring a fresh edge to Saint Laurent’s heritage, and as a cherry on top, Gianfranco Gianangeli steps in as CEO at Balenciaga, ensuring the Kering empire doesn’t miss a stylish beat, it’s a transition that’s equal parts hello and goodbye, with plenty of room for reinvention on both sides.
7. Gallery Proyectos Monclova Now Represents Iván Krassoievitch
Proyectos Monclova has added Iván Krassoievitch to its roster, bringing one of Mexico City’s most intriguing multidisciplinary artists under its wing, known for exploring the philosophy of language and redefining its visual potential, Krassoievitch plays with poetry, manifestos, and even text-less texts, his innovative approach to the materiality of language challenges how we interpret words, making him a perfect fit for a gallery that thrives on cutting-edge perspectives, expect his work to make waves that ripple far beyond the Mexican art scene.
8. Phillip Lim Steps Down as Creative Director of 3.1 Phillip Lim
Phillip Lim is stepping away from the brand he co-founded, with his Spring 2025 collection marking its 20th anniversary, for two decades, Lim has been synonymous with modern, accessible luxury, shaping contemporary fashion with effortless sophistication, partner Wen Zhou will continue steering the label as CEO and full owner, ensuring its legacy stays vibrant and relevant, as Lim takes a bow, fans are left wondering what’s next for the designer who has never failed to surprise us, this farewell feels bittersweet, but the possibilities ahead are undeniably exciting.
9. IMG Withdraws as Owner of Australian Fashion Week
IMG has stepped down as the operator of Australian Fashion Week after a 20-year tenure, leaving the event’s future in limbo, as a launchpad for designers like Dion Lee and Zimmerman, the withdrawal signals a major shake-up for the Aussie fashion calendar, but the local industry is known for its resilience and ingenuity, could this be a chance to reinvent the event with a uniquely Australian perspective? Only time will tell.
10. Candida Gertler Resigns from Outset Contemporary Art Fund
Citing rising antisemitism in the art world, Candida Gertler has stepped down from all her roles in UK cultural institutions, her decision isn’t just a resignation, it’s a bold stand against prejudice, Gertler’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and equity ensures her legacy as a cultural advocate remains as steadfast as ever, her departure is a poignant reminder of the work still to be done in fostering a truly inclusive arts community.
11. Rotterdam Returns Colonial Artifacts to Indonesia
Between hellos and goodbyes, Rotterdam has become the first Dutch city to repatriate colonial artifacts, returning 68 items, including sacred Singa statues, to Indonesia, this act of restitution, involving objects looted during colonial rule, is a symbolic step toward acknowledging historical wrongs and fostering cultural healing, it’s a gesture of respect that underscores the growing global conversation about the ethical responsibilities of museums.
12. Artist Walter Dahn Dies at 70
Walter Dahn, a German artist and pioneer of the Junge Wilde movement, has passed away at 70, known for his raw, graffiti-inspired art and collaborations with icons like Joseph Beuys, Dahn leaves behind a legacy that’s rebellious yet introspective, his fearless exploration of art’s emotive and cultural power ensures his influence will remain vivid in the contemporary art world.
13. Boston University Suspends Art History PhDs
Boston University has paused admissions for several humanities PhD programs, including art history, citing financial constraints linked to a new union contract, this decision has sparked debates over the value of the humanities and the challenges of sustaining academic scholarship in an era of tightening budgets, for now, the future of these disciplines at BU hangs in uncertainty.
14. Commonwealth and Council Closes Mexico City Space
Commonwealth and Council, a contemporary art gallery founded in 2010 in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, has quietly closed its Mexico City outpost just two years after its debut. Known for championing practices by women, queer, and POC artists to build counter-histories reflecting individual and collective realities, the closure has not been officially announced. However, the gallery’s Los Angeles operations remain a vital hub for underrepresented voices in art. This bittersweet farewell reminds us that while some chapters close, the mission of fostering inclusivity persists.
Text by Maria Nitulescu
