The Heritage of London Trust will open David Bowie’s childhood home to the public.
The Heritage of London Trust has acquired David Bowie’s childhood home in Bromley and plans to restore it to its early-1960s condition before opening it to the public in 2027. The small house at 4 Plaistow Grove will include an immersive presentation of Bowie’s bedroom alongside archival materials, some never previously displayed, drawn from his early life and influences. Conservation architects will remove later alterations and carefully reconstruct original finishes as part of a historically precise restoration. Beyond serving visitors, the site will host creative workshops for young people, linking Bowie’s formative years to future artistic development.
Florence’s Uffizi Gallery was embroiled in staff protests following a mass layoff of seasonal workers.
Staff at Florence’s Uffizi Gallery staged a protest in early January after a contract change led to the dismissal of roughly 100 seasonal and part-time workers. The layoffs followed the museum’s decision to replace its longtime service manager with a new concessionaire whose agreement protected permanent staff but excluded temporary employees across roles including security, ticketing, and visitor services. Organized by the Sudd Cobas union, demonstrators criticized the long-term reliance on short contracts at one of Italy’s most visited museums. Museum officials said hiring limits tied to state tender rules constrained their options, while union leaders pushed local and regional authorities to intervene.
Steve Jobs-era Apple artifacts are expected to fetch up to six figures each at an upcoming RR Auction lot.
Boston-based RR Auction has opened bidding on 191 Steve Jobs-era Apple artifacts as the company nears its 50th anniversary, with several lots projected to reach six figures. Highlights include a 1976 Apple Computer check signed by Jobs and Steve Wozniak and an early Apple-1 prototype motherboard, both already drawing strong bids and expected to climb far higher before the January 29 close. The sale also spans vintage hardware, early marketing materials, and personal items from Jobs’ childhood bedroom consigned by his stepbrother. Auction specialists point to sustained demand for authenticated Jobs material, especially signed documents, as a key driver of the high estimates.
Creative Capital’s 2026 awards include $2.9 million in grants that will be distributed across 109 U.S. artists.
Creative Capital will award $2.9 million in 2026 grants to more than 100 artists working across all 50 states and U.S. territories, one of the largest funding cycles in the nonprofit’s history. The program combines its established Creative Capital Award, which supports 49 new projects with $50,000 unrestricted grants and professional development, as well as a new State of the Art Prize that gives $10,000 to 53 artists nationwide. Recipients span visual art, literature, film, and performance, selected from more than 4,500 applicants. The organization framed the expanded awards as a response to tightening public and institutional support for artists in the United States.
An Amazon insider has confirmed that the tech giant has no plans to bail out Saks.
An Amazon source says the company has no imminent plans to provide funding to Saks Global, pushing back on reports that the two sides were close to a rescue deal. The source also denied claims that Saks CEO Richard Baker met with Jeff Bezos, calling the speculation unfounded. Saks Global missed a more than $100 million interest payment in December and now faces mounting pressure as credit agencies warn that a bankruptcy filing looks increasingly likely. While Amazon maintains commercial ties to Saks, including its role in the Neiman Marcus acquisition and a hosted online shop, the insider indicated that any financial intervention is not under active consideration.
Today’s attractive distractions:
This “Dry January,” Sotheby’s is auctioning a $1.7 million Great American Whiskey Collection.
Renzo Piano Building Workshop will reimagine Paris’ Montparnasse tower.
In an Aesop-filled Montreal bathhouse, futuristic ease abounds.
Agata Grzybowska created a heart-wrenching companion photobook for Hamnet.
