ART SCENE IN AMERICA  Over the past year Oct.2024-Oct.2025, the American art scene has been a fascinating mix of experimentation, tension, and re-calibration. Economic headwinds and shifting politics have put pressure on galleries and markets, but artists have responded with boldness, hybridity, and deeper engagement.     Market & Institutions under strain The art market has cooled. Auction sales, especially in the high-end tiers, have contracted sharply.  Bank of America Private Bank +2 The Art Newspaper +2  Some analysts see this as a “reset” moment rather than collapse: buyers are pivoting toward private sales, emerging artists, and strategic acquisitions rather than spectacle.  Bank of America Private Bank  At the same time, gallery closures have made headlines — for instance, San Francisco’s Altman Siegel gallery recently announced it will close after 16 years, citing sustainability challenges.  San Francisco Chronicle Museums are also co...