UK Museums Consider Tourist Fees, Raphael Exhibition Opens at Met, Nengudi Show at Whitechapel

The UK government recently responded to a report on Arts Council England's future, sparking debate by suggesting a policy change that could introduce entry fees for tourists at national museums in England, which currently offer free admission to all. This proposal was discussed by Ben Luke with Gareth Harris, chief contributing editor at The Art Newspaper, and London correspondent Dale Berning Sawa. In New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art launched 'Raphael: Sublime Poetry,' the first comprehensive U.S. retrospective of the Italian Renaissance artist Raphael. Curated by Carmen Bambach, the exhibition, seven years in development, traces Raphael's career from his early work in Urbino to his commissions for popes in Rome, where he died at age 37 in 1520. It runs until June 28. Meanwhile, London's Whitechapel Gallery is presenting a focused exhibition on Senga Nengudi's performance works from 1972 to 1982, featuring photographs of her 1977 'Performance Piece,' part of her RSVP series. Curator Hannah Woods discussed the show with Ben Luke. The Nengudi exhibition continues until June 14.