Art world shakeups: Tomkins, festival, Dubai
Artnet reports that Artsy’s parent is planning a new 'Ideas Festival,' Art Dubai has postponed its 20th edition, and influential critic Calvin Tomkins has died — three major moves reshaping fair programming and criticism coverage. These developments are being discussed across art networks and could ripple into upcoming fair calendars and critical discourse. (x.com)
MCH Group, the Swiss parent company of Art Basel, is working with James and Kathryn Murdoch on a new “Futurific Institute” ideas festival planned to launch in Basel in 2028. (artnews.com) Artnet’s market roundup identifies MCH Group — not Artsy’s owner — as the organiser of the project, with reporting sourced to industry insiders. (news.artnet.com) Art Dubai’s organisers have postponed the fair’s 20th edition from its original April dates to May 14–17 and say the event will run at Madinat Jumeirah in a “more focused and flexible” format. (theartnewspaper.com) Organisers cited regional security and logistics fallout from the US‑Israel war in Iran — including Iranian strikes on the UAE, disrupted freight and curtailed international travel — as the reasons forcing the schedule change. (news.artnet.com) Calvin Tomkins died on March 20, 2026, at age 100; he was a staff writer for The New Yorker for more than six decades and, according to family comments relayed to major outlets, died of complications from a stroke. (usnews.com) Industry observers note the twin moves — a large-scale “ideas” festival from MCH and a compressed, rescheduled Art Dubai — could reshuffle 2026–28 programming as organisers weigh safety, travel windows and new formats for major gatherings. (artnews.com)
