National Gallery London selects Kengo Kuma for expansion project

The National Gallery in London has commissioned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma to design and construct its forthcoming extension. This architectural project represents a significant expansion for the London institution. Kengo Kuma, known for his distinctive architectural style, will lead the development. The announcement was made on April 9, 2026. Separately, a New York court has ordered art dealer David Nahmad to return a Modigliani painting to the estate of Oscar Stettiner after an eleven-year legal process. The painting was looted during the Occupation period. The ruling was issued on April 8, 2026. In Italy, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence experienced a major cyberattack earlier this year, as reported by Corriere della Sera. The museum faced unprecedented digital security challenges. This incident occurred on April 3, 2026. In cultural policy developments, municipal elections on March 22, 2026 revealed culture's growing importance in local politics, moving beyond symbolic status to become a marker of power and identity. Meanwhile, in Paris, the Fondation des Bernardins appointed Yann Le Touher as its new director general on April 2, 2026. The 44-year-old philanthropy specialist previously worked at Musée d'Orsay, Centre Pompidou, Réunion des musées nationaux – Grand Palais, and the Louvre.