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- Good Morning
This week headlines were defined by legacy, the friction of institutional power, and the adoption of artificial intelligence, suggesting ongoing re-evaluation of what is permanent, what is fair, and what is real.
The era of the starchitect lost a giant with the passing of Frank Gehry at age 96, whose swooping, metallic forms indelibly marked cities across the globe (Los Angeles Times). At the same time, reports suggest AI is already fundamentally reshaping architectural workflows, offering dramatic speed and option generation capabilities (ArchDaily). But the scale of building continues to prompt ethical debates, with sharp criticism aimed at Norman Foster’s new JP Morgan tower, an “obscene essay in steel” due to its colossal resource consumption (The Guardian). But what do these monuments signify? Contemporary artists are challenging the idea of traditional monuments, embracing ambivalence and impermanence as a form of cultural resistance (Hyperallergic).
The Kennedy Center faced a tumultuous week as a former Director of Dance spoke candidly about a pervasive climate of instability and “mass firings” during her tenure (Forward). Separately, the institution is facing allegations of financial misconduct, with a report claiming that it has been stiffing performers on their fees for months after their shows (The Hollywood Reporter).
In the literary world, the CEO of Waterstone’s and Barnes & Noble made a pragmatic statement, saying the chains would sell AI-authored books—provided they are clearly and honestly labeled (BBC/Yahoo!). This comes as critics analyze why AI writes with its distinct, often disquieting, style, and question why audiences are increasingly willing to consume it (The New York Times).
Finally, new research suggests that highly fantastical programming can impair cognitive attention in children immediately after viewing (PsyPost). This study runs parallel to the idea that the “decline of our education system” is a pervasive and long-running cultural trope, though one that finds new objective truths in the present day (The Atlantic).
All our stories below.
- Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Arts Administration
The Arts Administration program at Elon University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position that begins in August 2026.
This position requires someone who brings a broadly integrated and interdisciplinary perspective to Arts Administration. Candidates must hold a PhD or MFA in Arts Administration or a closely related field by the start date. Teaching responsibilities will include undergraduate courses in arts administration, as well as courses in the Elon Core Curriculum and potentially their disciplinary area of expertise.
The successful candidate will support a twelve-year-old program that focuses on how arts administration shapes culture and cultural policy by the strategic development of arts programs, organizations, and creative careers. The Arts Administration program at Elon empowers students to put this integrative knowledge of human care and business tactics into practice to serve artists, audiences, and other stakeholders with diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and perspectives. We prepare students for careers in the creative sector with a commitment to connecting art and public life to create inclusive communities. We envision a fearless, self-sustaining, civically-engaged global arts community. We want to nurture the next generation of arts leaders and cultural entrepreneurs to build this community.
Candidates for this position should demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in teaching and enthusiasm for working in a liberal arts setting. Candidates who have experience working with a diverse range of people, and who can contribute to the climate of inclusivity are encouraged to identify their experiences in their cover letter.
Elon is a dynamic private, co-educational, comprehensive institution that is a national model for actively engaging faculty and students in teaching and learning in a liberal art-based residential campus. To learn more about Elon, please visit the University website at www.elon.edu.
Review of applications will begin immediately. Applications received by January 15, 2026 will be given full consideration, but review of applications received after January 15, 2026 may continue until the position is filled. Upload a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, two syllabi from arts administration courses taught and/or prospective courses, academic writing sample, graduate transcripts, and three professional references to the PageUp application platform. Email the search committee chair, Professor David McGraw, dmcgraw@elon.edu, with any questions regarding the search.
Elon University is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to a diverse faculty, staff and student body and welcomes all applicants. Elon University values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and perspectives of our community members. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity, but also age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and many other parts of one’s identity. All our employees’ points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone’s responsibility.
Minimum Required Education and Experience
Candidates must hold a PhD or MFA in Arts Administration or a closely related field by the start date.
- Our Changing Notions Of The Purpose Of Monuments
Rather than construct an imagined past as a universal tradition, as with conventional monuments… contemporary artists understand ambivalence and impermanence as key conditions of resistance, whether in the form of ephemeral materials, representations that flit across binaries, or speculative propositions for the future that challenge linear readings of history. – Hyperallergic
- Where Drag Meets The Viola (There’s A Joke In There Somewhere)
Stuck at home in Palo Alto with two parents who teach in Stanford’s music department, Ezra Costanza created the drag character Obsidienne Obsurd, a genderless Chinese-American genderless drag musician with an exuberant wardrobe, makeup palette, and playlist. – San Francisco Chronicle (MSN)
- Architect Frank Gehry, 96
Gehry, who arrived in L.A. as an aimless teenager just after World War II and went on to become the most famous and one of the most influential architects in the world over a prolific six-decade career, died Friday at his home in Santa Monica following a brief respiratory illness. – Los Angeles Times
- The Notion Of Decline Of Our Education System Is A Long-Running Trope
The suspicion that Americans are becoming more illiterate has long been irresistible to the educated class. In the present day, this happens to be objectively true. But across time and cultures, we hear the alarm of declinism. – The Atlantic
- Norman Foster’s New JP Morgan Tower In Manhattan: An Obscene Essay In Steel
The sheer amount of structural steel – 95,000 tonnes in total – is obscene for a building that contains just 60 storeys in its 423-metre height, half the number of floors you might expect in such a colossus. It uses 60% more steel than the Empire State Building, which is taller and has more square footage. – The Guardian
- Ex-Director Of Dance At Kennedy Center Says Her Firing Wasn’t A Surprise
Jane Raleigh: “There was definitely an overarching feeling of waiting for the shoe to drop. I was committed to staying until I was removed, (but) I did believe from the beginning that everyone would be fired at some point. … Basically every payday Friday was mass firings day.” – Forward
- This Year’s Best New Architecture
Editors of Dezeen pick their favorites, including new cultural institutions, homes, hotels, skyscrapers and even an architecture school. – Dezeen
- Fascinating: Research Find That Fantastical Programming Impairs Cognitive Attention In Children
The researchers found a significant negative effect for fantastical content. Children who watched programs featuring impossible events tended to perform worse on attention and executive function tasks immediately afterward. – PsyPost
- Report: Trump’s Kennedy Center Is Stiffing Artists On The Fees
Representatives for three performers tell THR they’re still waiting on checks months after their shows. – The Hollywood Reporter
- Pathé Will Return To Making English-Language Films
“French production and exhibition giant Pathé is looking to ‘re-launch’ its English-language film business with the appointment of FilmNation president of motion pictures Ben Browning as co-CEO of Pathé U.K.” – The Hollywood Reporter
- Why Trump Fired His Ballroom Architect. And Here’s His Replacement
Trump and McCrery had clashed over the president’s desire to keep increasing the size of the building, but it was McCrery’s firm’s small workforce and inability to hit deadlines that became the decisive factor in him leaving, one of the people said. – Washington Post
- How AI Is Changing How Architecture Is Conceived
Across design firms, respondents emphasized two immediate gains: speed and the ability to generate options. – ArchDaily
- Why Does AI Write Like That? And Why Are People Willing To Read It?
If you’re anything like me, you did not enjoy reading that paragraph. Everything about it puts me on alert: Something is wrong here; this text is not what it says it is. It’s one of them. – The New York Times
- CEO Of Waterstone’s And Barnes & Noble Says They Would Sell AI-Authored Books (If Clearly Labeled)
“We as booksellers would naturally and instinctively disdain it,” said James Daunt, but “maybe it’s going to produce the next War and Peace. And if people want to read that book, AI-generated or not, we will be selling it — as long as it doesn’t pretend to be something it isn’t.” – BBC (Yahoo!)
- This Year’s Kennedy Center Honors Will Be Different
Previous hosts of the Kennedy Center Honors have included Walter Cronkite, Stephen Colbert, Gloria Estefan and Queen Latifah. Trump will host this year, a first for a U.S. president. – NPR
- Star Playwright Jeremy O. Harris Jailed In Japan On Drug Charges
The 36-year-old author of the multiple-Tony-nominated Slave Play and current creative director of the Williamstown Theater Festival was arrested at the airport in Okinawa on November 16 after customs officers found several doses’ worth of MDMA (Ecstasy) in his luggage. Harris has been in custody ever since. – The Guardian
- US Federal Grants To Museums And Libraries Restored Following Court Case
“The Institute of Museum and Library Services is reinstating all grants that were previously terminated by the Trump administration. A short statement posted on the agency’s website Wednesday reads, ‘this action supersedes any prior notices which may have been received related to grant termination.’” – NPR
- London’s Barbican Centre To Get An Overhaul That Might Just Make It Easier To Navigate
It will be a mammoth task, and a necessary one. The 43-year-old Brutalist landmark in central London has never been renovated, and its physical plant is starting to literally crack up. What’s more, the Barbican is notorious for being confusing to get around in, and that will finally be addressed. – The Guardian
- Troubled San Antonio Philharmonic Cancels Its Holiday Concerts
While next weekend’s classical programs are still scheduled, the orchestra’s Holiday Pops shows for the weekend before Christmas and its New Year’s Eve Gala have been called off. – San Antonio Current
- Royal Shakespeare Company To Eliminate Its Music Department
As part of its company-wide layoffs, the RSC will terminate its entire live music staff and switch to using recorded music. – The Stage (UK)
- Netflix To Buy Warner Bros. Discovery For $82.7 Billion
“The deal has a total enterprise value (including debt) of approximately $82.7 billion, with an equity value of $72 billion, the companies said. The announcement … came after a weeks-long bidding war that pitted the streaming giant against David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance and Comcast.” – Variety
- Pantone’s 2026 Color Of The Year Is … White?
Well, Pantone is calling it “Cloud Dancer” and describing it with a lot of verbiage that strains credibility, but yes, it is white. As reporter Vittoria Benzine observes, “Maybe this is a good moment to note that white isn’t the absence of color, but the simultaneous presence of all hues.” – Artnet
- Fall 2026 Applications Open for MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises
Northwestern University’s MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises (MSLCE) program develops leaders across Entertainment, Media and the Arts. Earn your Master’s in One Year.
More than ever, the creative industries need professionals who can leverage strategic business knowledge to drive innovation and growth. They also need effective and agile leaders with an expansive understanding of how the various sectors of the creative economy are woven together and interact with each other.
The MSLCE program’s unique cross-disciplinary curriculum was designed with the transmedia interests of creative professionals in mind and provides the flexibility and adaptability that is crucial to navigating today’s creative economy. Students come from a wide variety of backgrounds across television, film, media, visual arts, dance, theater, music, marketing, fashion, and more. They are bound not only by their creative interests and experiences, but the drive to innovate and make an impact over the course of their careers.
Key features of the Master’s in Leadership for Creative Enterprises include:
- A curriculum tailored to understanding and addressing the complex organizational, marketing, financial, entrepreneurial, legal, and analytical needs and issues within the creative sector
- An experiential component, bridging the program curriculum to a real-world setting
- Engagement with organizations and professionals across creative industry capitals
- Professional development funding that empowers students to pursue and engage with impactful networking and career opportunities
- A one-year time-to-degree for full-time students, with a part-time option available
Flexible Enrollment Options
- Begin the program in September or January
- Full-time or part-time enrollment options
Applications are now being accepted for Fall 2026 admission.
Learn more at http://creative.northwestern.edu
- Executive Director, Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach
LOCATION: Palm Beach, FL (in-person)
INFORMATION: cmspb.orgBACKGROUND
Under the extraordinary artistic leadership of Arnaud Sussmann, the Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach (CMSPB) is known for performances and educational programs of the highest artistic merit. Since 2013, CMSPB has presented over 150 artists, from the eminent Emerson String Quartet to acclaimed violinists James Ehnes and Pinchas Zuckerman and pianists Anne-Marie McDermott and Inon Barnatan. CMSPB is a presenting partner of the Boscobel Chamber Music Festival in Garrison, New York, currently in its fourth season. The festival has brought top-tier musicians and compelling repertoire, as well as open rehearsals and special opportunities for children and families to engage with chamber music programs. CMSPB’s Rising Artists program is an immersive residency for emerging international musicians that pairs them with experienced mentors and artists in the chamber music field while offering performance, career development, and educational opportunities.
CMSPB concerts are more than entertainment; they are a place for intellectual growth and community engagement through the power of chamber music. CMSPB’s educational programs have provided students access to masterclasses and intimate in-school performances by internationally renowned artists and teachers. Through its work, CMSPB promotes a greater understanding and appreciation of chamber music and enhances the cultural life of Palm Beach.
POSITION
The incoming executive director will set the future direction for the organization at this exciting moment of growth. The ED’s charge includes working closely with board members and the Artistic Director to define a strategic plan encompassing organizational growth and development, external relations, financial and operational sustainability, and programming. The ideal candidate is a compelling and visionary leader with a proven ability to inspire motivated teams, forge effective partnerships, and drive sustainable growth.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
- Collaborate with the Artistic Director and board members to shape the future of the Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach, including finalizing the organization’s strategic plan and setting targets for desired impact.
- Communicate the vision for the CMSPB so that all internal and external stakeholders understand the organization’s primary goals and know how their work and partnership contribute to making them a reality.
- Grow the organization’s reach, visibility, programs, and budget.
- Set clear, measurable goals to sustain and grow CMSPB’s influence and presence locally and nationally.
- Nurture existing and new relationships with external partners, including corporate sponsors, concert venues, and community organizations, in order to expand CMSPB’s reach and programs.
Fundraising and External Relations
- Work with fundraising consultants and the board of directors to ensure that CMSPB continues to have a comprehensive and successful fundraising plan.
- Serve as a compelling and engaging spokesperson, with the ability to succinctly and clearly discuss CMSPB’s work and inspire an appreciation for chamber music in all audiences.
- Identify, strengthen, and sustain relationships with a variety of partners and stakeholders, including funders, community partners, performers, and other chamber music presenters; be a visible and engaging presence in the Palm Beach and regional social and donor community.
- Continue to articulate CMSPB’s unique identity and expand recognition of CMSPB, both locally and nationally, as a leader in presenting chamber music.
Financial and Operational Leadership
- Develop and oversee the implementation of the infrastructure and team needed to grow the organization and support CMSPB’s programs and strategic goals.
- Develop and oversee the implementation of a competitive, comprehensive employee benefits program to attract and retain top talent.
- Ensure that the CMSPB has a positive, collaborative culture that attracts and retains staff, provides opportunities for professional development, and operates according to HR best practices.
- Ensure the organization’s finances are healthy, sustainable, and managed according to best practices.
Board Relations
Work closely with an engaged and active board to determine and evaluate the strategic direction for the organization.
Develop strong relationships with each board member, ensuring their contribution to the organization is aligned with their interests and organization’s needs.
Partner with the current board to attract, engage, and retain new board members who can help the organization realize its mission and vision.
Help strengthen the board’s systems and structures to maximize impact.To apply, please send cover letter and resume as one PDF to CMSPBED@pbrsearch.com with subject line “ArtsJournal – CMSPB Position” and attachment format “Last Name First Name – Letter Resume” and complete the Voluntary Self Identification form. This will assist us in improving our hiring practices and ensuring equal opportunities. Participation is voluntary and will not affect your candidacy in any way.
Compensation
- Anticipated salary is $175K – $200K, commensurate with qualifications and experience
- Comprehensive benefits package
Frequently cited statistics show that women and people from underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they think they meet 100% of the criteria. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, the Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach encourages you to apply.
The Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. The Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
- Now Bollywood Has A Rival For The Spotlight In India’s Enormous Movie Industry
Bollywood, based in Bombay/Mumbai and producing movies in Hindi, has always been the center of India’s cinematic universe. Yet there are centers of filmmaking in other Indian languages based in other state capitals. One of those centers — Tollywood, which produces Telugu-language movies in Hyderabad — has been enjoying a big run of successes. – AP
- Countries Boycotting Eurovision Over Decision To Allow Israel To Compete
Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, after Israel was allowed to compete. – BBC
- Ailey Company Launches Its First Season Under Director Alicia Graf Mack
Mack, who did two stints as a principal dancer with the company (and got a master’s degree in-between), says her vision is to balance between Alvin Ailey’s own “powerful, visceral” choreography and new pieces by Fredrick Earl Mosley, Matthew Neenan, Jamar Roberts, and Urban Bush Women founder Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. – NPR
- Russia Blocks Facetime, Roblox
Both restrictions are part of an accelerating clampdown on foreign tech platforms: In the case of FaceTime, Russian authorities allege it is being used for criminal activity, while Roblox was accused of distributing extremist materials and “LGBT propaganda.” – CBC
- Is Appointment TV Making A Comeback?
As more shows switch to a weekly release schedule, it gives viewers a chance to watch the episodes as they become available and take part in the same cultural moment, but experts suggest what’s happening is more of a happy middle ground between appointment viewing and binge watching. – CBC
- Paramount Claims Bias In Warner Deal
“It has become increasingly clear, through media reporting and otherwise, that WBD appears to have abandoned the semblance and reality of a fair transaction process, thereby abdicating its duties to stockholders, and embarked on a myopic process with a predetermined outcome that favors a single bidder. – Deadline
- “The Picasso Of India” Finally Has A Dedicated Museum — In Qatar
“More than a decade after his death, the Indian Modernist M.F. Husain is getting the monumental tribute he long imagined. Qatar” — where he lived in exile after repeated death threats from Hindu nationalists — “has unveiled a new museum dedicated entirely to the artist, … cementing his place in global art history.” – Artnet
- The Importance Of Style In Science
Style, as I see it, is much more idiosyncratic and manifests in scientists who may practice in the same field and utilize similar methods, but who nonetheless differ in the way they conduct and produce their work. – Undark
- Why We Shouldn’t Bring Back Gatekeepers
Put simply: Once established institutions lost the privilege to control the public conversation, they acquired an obligation to participate within it, which, so far, they have mostly failed to do. – Conspicuous Cognition
