Good afternoon- the week ahead looks like this.  Also you will notice a new programme category aptly named: *for fun*.  These will be programmes that aren't terribly educational -they probably won't teach you about art techniques or styles, but they may spin a good art world yarn.  This week's, for instance, are mostly about great art heists.

BBC TV:

Nothing to report this week


Channel 4:
As above

Sky Arts 1

Sat 19th May 3:30AM Guest Of Cindy Sherman ( 90 min )

He was a humble public access host. She was an internationally renowned artist. This is the ultimate story of an outsider who suddenly found himself on the inside.

7:00AM Art And The City ( 30 min )

New Orleans: David makes an action painting with Terrence Sanders in New Orleans, visits the city's galleries, and learns how local artists express the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Sun 20th May 9:30AM Peter Beard:Scrapbooks From... ( 60 min ) Photography

... Africa & Beyond. Documentary on the life of the jet-setting photographer. Beard, a friend of Andy Warhol, once survived being trampled by one of his subjects, an African elephant

10:30AM Jeff Koons: Beyond Heaven ( 60 min )

Pop artist Jeff Koons gives a tour of his Manhattan studio, rebutting charges that his art is derivative and self-serving and offering fresh insight into his multimillion-pound work.

2:30PM Graffiti: From Tags To Riches ( 30 min )

Artists like Banksy were once considered vandals, but now their work is sold for huge sums of money. Goldie narrates this documentary examining where vandalism ends and art begins.

7:00PM Artland USA ( 60 min ) Third episode of a SERIES

The art-loving duo continue their journey across the States, taking in the delights between Houston and Dallas, Texas, including a toilet seat museum and Rothko Chapel. (Part 3 of 12)

8:00PM Celebrity Exposed ( 30 min ) Photography

Celebrity photographer Richard Young reflects on his iconic images of the 1970s and his unique relationship with Princess Diana. With David Bailey and Tracey Emin. (2 of 4)

Mon 21st May 1:40AM The Cool School ( 90 min )

Jeff Bridges narrates the fairy tale of the Ferus Gallery in LA, which rivalled New York by nurturing artists like Ed Ruscha and Craig Kauffman, later hosting Warhol's first solo show

8:50AM Antony Gormley's One & Other ( 30 min )

Clive Anderson presents highlights from Antony Gormley's pioneering art project, as more 'plinthers' take their place on Trafalgar Square's famous Fourth Plinth.

1:00PM Art Race ( 30 min ) *for fun*

Armed with just $1, artists Ben Sargent and Kenny Harris must trade their work for lifts, beds and food to travel across America in 40 days. Will their art get them from coast to coast? 

7:00PM Picasso & Braque Go To The Movies ( 60 min )

Martin Scorsese narrates an eye-opening look at how the early filmmakers influenced Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. With thoughts from Chuck Close, Julian Schnabel and Eric Fischl.

Tues 22nd May 7:00PM Close Up: Portraits ( 60 min ) Photography

New. Director Albert Maysles' fascinating look into the creative minds, philosophies and techniques of some of the most famous photographers working today.

Weds 23rd May 7:00PM Art Of The Heist ( 60 min ) *for fun*

Missing Mona Lisa: In 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre. The police were baffled and arrested a young Pablo Picasso. Did he commit the crime? Narrated by Kenneth Cranham

7:00AM Art Of The Heist ( 60 min ) *for fun*

The Search For The Scream: In 2004, Edvard Munch's The Scream was stolen from a Norwegian museum, in broad daylight. Follow the leads in this case which remains unsolved


Sky Arts 2

Sat 19th May 5:00PM Art Of Faith ( 60 min )
Judaism: John McCarthy travels the globe in search of Judaism's most breathtaking art and architecture, from the Masada Synagogue in Israel, to New York's stunning Central Synagogue.

Weds 23rd May 10:15AM Sutra ( 75 min )

Choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and artist Antony Gormley collaborate in a mesmerising performance exploring the Shaolin tradition through the clever manipulation of man-size boxes

BBC Radio (you can get all these online)

Fri 18th May 15:32 – 15:50 BBC World Service The Strand

The best of the world's arts, film, music and literature brought to you every day

19:15 – 19:45 BBC Radio 4 Front Row

Arts news, interviews and reviews with Mark Lawson

Sun 20th May 07:15 – 07:30 BBC Radio 4 Extra Jackie Wullschlager - Chagall Episode 2

2/5 Young Marc Chagall travels to St Petersburg to study art - illegally.

Weds 23rd May 19:00 – 19:30 BBC Radio Wales Radio Wales Arts Show

Nicola Heywood Thomas presents a weekly review of Wales's thriving arts scene