Art Outlook: 3 July

Some of the stories and discussions we’ve spotted online this week:

Arts funding announcements

On Tuesday, the Arts Council England confirmed its funding plans for the next three years, sharing a budget of £340 million among some 670 arts organisations. On the other side of the pond, New York City’s mayor and schools chancellor announced plans to inject $23 million into arts education.

Manifesta 10 opens in St Petersburg

Manifesta has been a talking point ever since its venue was announced early last year. After a string of controversies surrounding Russia’s politics and social policies, and much debate over the ethics of the international art scene, it’s finally opened in St Petersburg, with some rather pointed exhibits.

Tracey Emin’s bed sells for £2.2 million

One of the most infamous beds in art was sold at Christie’s on Tuesday for well over its estimate of £800,000–£1,200,000. Tracey Emin was said to be delighted with the price, a new record for the artist.

Influential art consultant arrested in fraud investigation

Helge Achenbach, one of Germany’s most prominent art consultants, is under investigation for fraud. He was arrested earlier in June, and is accused of defrauding Aldi-supermarket heir and art collector Berthold Albrecht of €18m.

Rooting out Rolf Harris’s Art

There’s been plenty of speculation about what owners will do with Rolf Harris’s artworks following his conviction this week of a string of indecent sexual assaults. One of his most famous paintings, of the Queen in 2005, seems to have disappeared off the map entirely.

Art along the Tiber

William Kentridge has unveiled plans for a 550-metre mural depicting the history of Rome along the banks of the Tiber. The temporary piece will be created by erasing dirt from along the embankment walls.

Must-have memes

It seems every successful art star should have their own internet meme. First were the online responses to Jeff Koons’s naked Vanity Fair spread; then Ai Weiwei’s cocked leg gun; and now Marina Abramovic considering cold and flu treatments, presumably for when meditation and mindfulness at the Serpentine fails…