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Law and Crime   -   Jan 15, 2026 Museum repatriation decision triggers police investigation in New Zealand
Museum repatriation decision triggers police investigation in New Zealand

Authorities are reviewing a complaint linked to the handling of cultural objects returned in 2023.

by Adam Schrader
Law and Crime   -   Jan 14, 2026 Beanie Babies billionaire’s lawsuit against Santa Barbara museum dismissed by judge
The Ty Warner Sea Center on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara, California, pictured before the museum removed Warner’s name in 2014

The court found Warner’s claims expired seven years before the lawsuit was filed.

by Adam Schrader
Jan 14, 2026 Court Documents: Ty Warner Lawsuit Against Santa Barbara Museum Dismissed as Time-Barred

Records released from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

by Adam Schrader
Law and Crime   -   Jan 14, 2026 Dealer sued over fake art says longtime friend approved the buys
Dealer sued over fake art says longtime friend approved the buys

Court filing says longtime business relationship, not a criminal scheme, drove the disputed art purchases.

by Adam Schrader
Jan 14, 2026 Court Filing: Atlanta Art Dealer Allan Baitcher Responds to $20M Counterfeit Art Lawsuit

Records filed by Allan Baitcher in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

by Adam Schrader
Government and Cultural Heritage   -   Jan 13, 2026 South Africa’s Culture Ministry denies censoring Venice Biennale pavilion
South Africa’s Culture Ministry denies censoring Venice Biennale pavilion

The reversal has stirred diplomatic questions abroad while exposing fractures inside South Africa’s governing coalition.

by Adam Schrader
Pop Culture   -   Jan 13, 2026 Ms. Rachel presents sale of art made by children in Gaza
Ms. Rachel presents sale of art made by children in Gaza

The sale notes that the artworks have been reproduced as prints in limited editions of 20, each priced at $220.

by Adam Schrader
Jan 12, 2026 FOIA Documents: Mary Anne Carter May 2025 Email to NEA Staff on Trump Administration Grant Priorities

Records released in response to a 2025 Freedom of Information Act request.

by Adam Schrader
Museum repatriation decision triggers police investigation in New Zealand
Law and Crime   -   Jan 15, 2026 Museum repatriation decision triggers police investigation in New Zealand

Authorities are reviewing a complaint linked to the handling of cultural objects returned in 2023.

by Adam Schrader
Law and Crime   -   Jan 14, 2026 Beanie Babies billionaire’s lawsuit against Santa Barbara museum dismissed by judge by Adam Schrader
The Ty Warner Sea Center on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara, California, pictured before the museum removed Warner’s name in 2014
Jan 14, 2026 Court Documents: Ty Warner Lawsuit Against Santa Barbara Museum Dismissed as Time-Barred by Adam Schrader
Law and Crime   -   Jan 14, 2026 Dealer sued over fake art says longtime friend approved the buys by Adam Schrader
Dealer sued over fake art says longtime friend approved the buys
Jan 14, 2026 Court Filing: Atlanta Art Dealer Allan Baitcher Responds to $20M Counterfeit Art Lawsuit by Adam Schrader
Government and Cultural Heritage   -   Jan 13, 2026 South Africa’s Culture Ministry denies censoring Venice Biennale pavilion by Adam Schrader
South Africa’s Culture Ministry denies censoring Venice Biennale pavilion
Pop Culture   -   Jan 13, 2026 Ms. Rachel presents sale of art made by children in Gaza by Adam Schrader
Ms. Rachel presents sale of art made by children in Gaza
Jan 12, 2026 FOIA Documents: Mary Anne Carter May 2025 Email to NEA Staff on Trump Administration Grant Priorities by Adam Schrader
Featured Articles 4 Articles
Law and Crime   -   Nov 04, 2025 Tracking global art crimes, thefts and vandalism: The Urgent Matter database
An NYPD police van is pictured on the sidewalk in Central Park in New York City. The grass is green and the leaves are colorful, indicating fall

Urgent Matter’s tracker follows major crimes targeting cultural property, from museum heists and forgeries to activist vandalism, across the art world.

Shows and Exhibitions   -   Nov 03, 2025 Global art fairs calendar: what’s coming through 2026
An external view of the Design Miami fair in 2023 as people walk past sculptures outside the tent.

New markets are opening as the art-fair economy adjusts to higher costs and slower top-end sales.

Law and Crime   -   Nov 03, 2025 How climate activists are leaving museums behind
Authorities are seen detaining a protester who threw black paint onto a Gustav Klimt painting while the hand of another is pictured glued to the glass protecting it

Facing tougher laws, rising costs, and waning support, climate activists are quietly ending the museum protests that once shocked the art world.

Law and Crime   -   Oct 27, 2025 Tracking art lawsuits and legal disputes: The Urgent Matter database
A bird flies past the scales of Lady Justice atop a courthouse dome

A running record of lawsuits shaping the art world, maintained by Urgent Matter.

Latest Articles 215 Articles
Law and Crime   -   Jan 15, 2026 Museum repatriation decision triggers police investigation in New Zealand
Museum repatriation decision triggers police investigation in New Zealand

Authorities are reviewing a complaint linked to the handling of cultural objects returned in 2023.

by Adam Schrader
Law and Crime   -   Jan 14, 2026 Beanie Babies billionaire’s lawsuit against Santa Barbara museum dismissed by judge
The Ty Warner Sea Center on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara, California, pictured before the museum removed Warner’s name in 2014

The court found Warner’s claims expired seven years before the lawsuit was filed.

by Adam Schrader
Jan 14, 2026 Court Documents: Ty Warner Lawsuit Against Santa Barbara Museum Dismissed as Time-Barred

Records released from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

by Adam Schrader
Law and Crime   -   Jan 14, 2026 Dealer sued over fake art says longtime friend approved the buys
Dealer sued over fake art says longtime friend approved the buys

Court filing says longtime business relationship, not a criminal scheme, drove the disputed art purchases.

by Adam Schrader
Jan 14, 2026 Court Filing: Atlanta Art Dealer Allan Baitcher Responds to $20M Counterfeit Art Lawsuit

Records filed by Allan Baitcher in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

by Adam Schrader
Government and Cultural Heritage   -   Jan 13, 2026 South Africa’s Culture Ministry denies censoring Venice Biennale pavilion
South Africa’s Culture Ministry denies censoring Venice Biennale pavilion

The reversal has stirred diplomatic questions abroad while exposing fractures inside South Africa’s governing coalition.

by Adam Schrader
Pop Culture   -   Jan 13, 2026 Ms. Rachel presents sale of art made by children in Gaza
Ms. Rachel presents sale of art made by children in Gaza

The sale notes that the artworks have been reproduced as prints in limited editions of 20, each priced at $220.

by Adam Schrader
Jan 12, 2026 FOIA Documents: Mary Anne Carter May 2025 Email to NEA Staff on Trump Administration Grant Priorities

Records released in response to a 2025 Freedom of Information Act request.

by Adam Schrader
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