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YOU WONT BELIEVE: 2 - You Need To See This

Afternoon Update: dozens missing after ferry sinks off Bali; Creative Australia chair apologises to Sabsabi; and rise of robot narrators

At least four people have died after a ferry travelling from Java sank, Indonesia police say

The Guardian - AU

The takeaway from the Venice Biennale saga: the art world faces deep and troubling structural inequality

Creative Australia’s decision earlier this year to rescind the selection of artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino as Australia’s 2026 representatives at the Venice Biennale sent shockwaves through the arts sector.

The Conversation

Creative Australia apologises to Khaled Sabsabi for ‘hurt and pain’ after Venice Biennale reinstatement

Wesley Enoch tells ABC RN the artist’s work was not about glorification of terrorism and says Sabsabi is ‘incredibly peace-loving’

The Guardian - AU

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Creative Australia’s backflip on Venice Biennale representatives exposes deep governance failures

The reinstatement of artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino as Australia’s representatives for the 2026 Venice Biennale closes a bruising recent cultural episode and exposes the fragility of the systems meant to protect artistic freedom in Australia.

The Conversation

Apology for hurt and pain as Venice arts duo reinstated

The federal arts funding body has apologised to an artist and curator axed from representing Australia at the Venice Biennale, but who have now been reinstated.

AAP

Axed duo back in Biennale after 'avoidable' arts crisis

After a backflip, artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino have been reinstated as Australia's representatives at an international exhibition.

AAP

Khaled Sabsabi reinstated as Venice Biennale representative after independent review into dumping

Artist says Creative Australia’s decision renews his confidence in integrity of body’s selection process

The Guardian - AU

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Writing Australia: can the new national literature body make a real difference for authors?

Supporting writers is nation-building work, and expectations are high for the new body with its re-inaugurated poet laureate

The Guardian - AU

Long-awaited probe into dumped Biennale artists lands

After Australia's Venice Biennale picks were controversially dropped, Creative Australia promised a review. Four months later, it's complete.

AAP

‘It’s unfeasible to run this model much longer’: is this the end of the Australian regional tour?

Musicians are reporting low ticket sales for gigs that end up costing them money to play – before 11th-hour turnarounds that bring out huge crowds. But is such a risky ecosystem something bands want to deal with?

The Guardian - AU

Australian artists making waves globally but local listening at ‘historic low’

Only 8% of the top 10,000 artists streamed in Australia in 2024 were Australian, an analysis in a Creative Australia report finds

The Guardian - AU

A First Nations writer’s fellowship was withdrawn by Queensland’s government. What’s going on?

This week, Martu writer Karen Wyld had her A$15,000 blackwrite fellowship withdrawn – just hours before the (cancelled) ceremony at State Library of Queensland, where she was to receive it for a fiction manuscript on the Stolen Generations. The Queensland arts minister, John-Paul Langbroek, and premier David Crisafulli had directly…

The Conversation

Creative Australia chair to retire following Khaled Sabsabi biennale controversy

Robert Morgan is expected to be replaced by the First Nations playwright and creative director Wesley Enoch

The Guardian - AU

Khaled Sabsabi says ‘common sense has prevailed’ after Monash University allows exhibition to go ahead

Flat Earth: Stolon Press, which was called off after Sabsabi was dumped as Australia’s representative at the Venice Biennale, will now open on 29 May

The Guardian - AU

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The Guardian - AU

First Nations writer speaks out after being stripped of $15,000 State Library of Queensland award over Gaza tweet

Library says it will review all its awards after last-minute cancellation of ceremony to present black&write! fellowship to Karen Wyld

The Guardian - AU

‘A lot of pride and joy’: the First Nations team representing Australia at the Venice Biennale of Architecture

These seven architects hope to show First Nations design and connection to Country at the world’s most prestigious architecture exhibition

The Guardian - AU

Coalition to cut 10% of Creative Australia funding to divert to Melbourne Jewish Arts Quarter

Costings announcement follows the high-profile withdrawal of artist Khaled Sabsabi’s appointment as Australia’s Venice Biennale representative

The Guardian - AU

Embattled Creative Australia boss served angry letters from staff and 600 literary figures amid Sabsabi fallout

Letters from staff expressed ‘complete lack of confidence in your ability to lead this organisation effectively’ and fears over participating in external inquiry

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AAP

Restore Venice artist's name or be sued, says gallerist

Artist Khaled Sabsabi has suffered personally and professionally since Creative Australia rescinded his commission for the Venice Biennale, his gallerist says.

The Guardian - AU

Morning Mail: Sabsabi’s Biennale ‘torture’, election candidates on Rednote, Trump tariff countdown

In an exclusive interview, Khaled Sabsabi blames Creative Australia for ‘dismantling’ his career; concern over Chinese language influencers on social media

AAP

Ditched art duo drum up cash for Venice project

After Creative Australia rescinded their Biennale commission, Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino are fundraising for an independent artwork in Venice instead.

Pedestrian.tv

Content Creators Respond To Budget Backlash: ‘We’re Not There On A Brand Trip’

For the first time, 13 content creators were invited to preview the budget papers alongside traditional media outlets, not everyone was impressed.

The Guardian - AU

Khaled Sabsabi show cancelled one month after sacking from Venice Biennale

Monash University has ‘indefinitely postponed’ upcoming exhibition at Monash University Museum of Art in Melbourne, after ‘consultation with our communities’

AAP

Mass letter urges arts minister to act over Venice snub

Protests against the dumping of Australia's art team for the Venice Biennale continue, with hundreds of artists and curators demanding government action.

The Conversation

Who gets to be political in Australian art?

When the invitation for artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino to represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale was rescinded, the statement from Creative Australia’s board said their selection now posed “an unacceptable risk” and “could undermine our goal of bringing Australians together”.

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