Spotlight
The Financial Times takes readers inside the V&A East Storehouse, where curators, artists, and public figures wander through the vast collection and select their favorite hidden gems, ranging from unexpected design treasures to personal objects rarely seen by the public. Their picks offer a behind-the-scenes look at how this model is changing the way people interact with a museum's holdings. The article also highlights the David Bowie Archive, an extraordinary collection of more than 90,000 items from the artist's life, acquired through the David Bowie Estate with major support from the Blavatnik Family Foundation and Warner Music Group.
In 2026, the Wallace Collection will bring fresh perspectives to the creativity of Sir Winston Churchill. Winston Churchill: The Painter, is a ticketed exhibition on view from 23 May – 29 November 2026. Universally renowned as an inspirational statesman, writer, orator and the man who led Britain to victory in the Second World War (1939-45), what is arguably less well known about Winston Churchill (1874-1965), was that he was also an enthusiastic amateur painter. In this major retrospective and first exhibition of Churchill’s creative oeuvre in the UK since his death, the Wallace Collection will bring together more than 50 paintings that represent the very best of the former Prime Minister’s output. The Wallace Collection is grateful for the support of the Churchill family and Churchill Heritage Ltd in the development of this exhibition. The exhibition has been made possible by the generosity of the Blavatnik Family Foundation and of other supporters.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will continue its 2025–26 New York City Center season following the company’s Opening Night Gala, which launched a new chapter under Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack. The gala honored Daria L. Wallach, chair of the AILEY Board of Trustees, for her leadership and support of the organization. Two-time Oscar nominee Colman Domingo served as Honorary Chair, and multi-platinum, GRAMMY-winning artist Ciara appeared as Honored Guest, introducing the finale of Alvin Ailey’s Revelations with live choir. Guests included Council Member Gale A. Brewer, Brandon Blackwood, Legendary Damon, Jillian Hervey, George Faison, Dr. Holly Frazier, Jasmine Guy, Sunny Hostin, LaChanze, Bianca Lawson, Phylicia Rashad, Nia Sioux, and Lorraine Toussaint. Gala co-chairs were Jody and John Arnhold, Emily and Len Blavatnik, Jack Pitts, Eric J. Wallach, Joan and Sandy Weill, and Pamela D. Zilly and John H. Schaefer, with vice chairs Anthony S. Kendall and Anthony A. Lewis. The event raised more than $2.7 million to support new works, scholarships for The Ailey School, and education programs.
The University of Oxford has acquired St Paul’s Church in Jericho, Oxford, for the Blavatnik School of Government, helping to ensure this important local building can be protected for the years ahead. This has been made possible by the generosity of the School’s founding donor, Sir Leonard Blavatnik. Ngaire Woods, Dean of the School, said: "The University has a strong record of investing in high-quality spaces for both the academic community and the wider public. We are proud of our new neighbour, the recently opened Schwarzman Centre, which has already created an exceptional new public and cultural space for Oxford in the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter. In the same spirit, we are committed to bringing St Paul's back into safe and usable condition to then determine how the building can best further the mission of the School and the wider community. We are immensely grateful to Sir Leonard Blavatnik for the extraordinary vision he has shown in supporting the School’s values and ambitions."
Providing many of the world's best researchers, scientists, and universities with support, and funding to discover breakthroughs that solve humankind's greatest challenges.
The Foundation contributes to renowned institutions that showcase the breadth of arts and culture, including performance, exhibition and education.
The Blavatnik Archive is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to preserving and disseminating materials that contribute to the study of 20th-century Jewish and world history, with a special emphasis on World War I, World War II, and Soviet Russia.
