Vatican tries to woo back the art world
Pope Benedict tries to bridge the gulf between Catholicism and the arts by gathering 250 of the world's leading artists, musicians, architects and sculptors at the Sistine Chapel.

Barbie dolls get naked for art's Turnip Prize
Entries for the Turnip Prize, a spoof art competition held each year in Somerset, are invited.

Artist Jeanne-Claude dies aged 74
US artist Jeanne-Claude, whose dramatic installations included The Gates in New York's Central Park, has died aged 74.

Cave in running for Bad Sex award
Singer Nick Cave joins acclaimed authors Philip Roth and Paul Theroux on the shortlist for this year's Bad Sex in Fiction award.

Motion to chair 2010 Booker Prize
Sir Andrew Motion is to chair the judges for the prestigious Man Booker Prize next year, it is announced.

Warhol story drawing set for sale
A children's book illustration from the early part of Andy Warhol's career is to be put up for auction in New York next month.

Communist novel wins Asian prize
The story of a disgraced Communist party official who makes a new life with a community of boat people wins the Man Asian Literary Prize.

Saatchi says 'don't be an artist'
Charles Saatchi, art collector and presenter of a new art talent search series, warns against trying to make a career as an artist.

Writer Belle de Jour is revealed
A former prostitute whose memoirs were turned into the TV series Secret Diary of a Call Girl reveals her true identity.

Art studio gains £900,000 grant
An historic art studio in St Ives in Cornwall is awarded £900,000 for a restoration project.

Reynolds returns to the West End
US actress Debbie Reynolds is to return to the West End next year for her first London performances in 34 years.

Last word
Nabokov's son on his refusal to burn his final book

Opera reborn?
How opera is trying to attract new audiences