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- Good Morning
Two federal judges delivered a pointed civics lesson yesterday. One ruled that Trump’s executive order defunding NPR and PBS violated the First Amendment (The New York Times). The other halted construction of the President’s planned White House ballroom, noting that he “is the steward of the White House for future generations. He is not, however, the owner” (Washington Post).
Meanwhile, AI keeps testing the creative professions. The New York Times dropped a freelancer who used AI to write a book review — and didn’t catch that it had plagiarized from the Guardian (The Guardian). A week after Hachette pulled a novel over AI suspicions, publishing still can’t figure out what its rules should be (Publishers Weekly).
And someone placed a spray-painted gold toilet on the National Mall, on a faux-marble pedestal, with a plaque reading “A Throne Fit for a King” (Washington Post). Some days the art speaks for itself.
All of our stories below.
- Judge Halts Construction Of Trump’s White House Ballroom
“The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!” Judge Leon wrote in a 35-page ruling issued Tuesday afternoon. – Washington Post
- Judge Rules Trump’s Executive Order Defunding NPR, PBS Was Unconstitutional
A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that President Trump’s executive order barring the federal funding of NPR and PBS violated the First Amendment. – The New York Times
- Sacramento Ballet Appoints A New Artistic Director
Tiit Helimets, an Estonian dancer and choreographer who was a principal at San Francisco Ballet from 2005 to 2023, will take up his new role at the start of next season. – The Sacramento Bee
- New York Times Drops Freelancer After He Used AI To Write Review
The New York Times launched an investigation, during which Preston admitted that he had used AI to assist writing the review and did not spot the sections that were pulled from the Guardian before submitting it. – The Guardian
- This Canadian Province Is Increasing Arts Funding To An All-Time High
The Alberta government’s provincial budget includes a record C$40.1 million allocated to the arts, including C$38.1 million (up C$3.5 million from last year) to funding body Alberta Foundation for the Arts. – Calgary Herald
- How To Build A Diagnostic Brain
Some research suggests that many, if not most, diagnostic errors arise from failures in thinking—cognitive bias, premature closure, insufficient reflection. Accordingly, some researchers frame diagnostic error as largely a problem in clinical judgment. – The Atlantic
- Finalists For This Year’s International Booker Prize
In a moment in which international relations are dominating news headlines around the globe, three of these shortlisted novels explore pivotal moments in world history: imperialist Japan-controlled Taiwan in the 1930s, Nazi-era Germany and the 1979 Revolution in Iran. – NPR
- Figuring Out What Kanye Is Taking From What
Many of the tracks resemble fragments or sketches, with bits of singing and rapping that sound unusually tentative, as if Ye isn’t quite sure how, or how much, to give his listeners what they want. – The New Yorker
- As US Publishing Deals With Its First AI Scandal, Industry Folk Are Unsure What To Do Or Say
“One week after Hachette Book Group pulled Mia Ballard’s Shy Girl for strong suspicions of AI use, the industry is reeling — and struggling to contend with the implications of the novel’s cancelation.” So far, most publishers are keeping quiet, but agents have plenty to say. – Publishers Weekly
- How Denmark’s Museum Funding Has Shifted To Visitor Numbers
There are now three criteria for an institution to secure—and retain—government subsidies. It must welcome a minimum of 10,000 annual visitors; have a minimum annual income of 4m kroner ($600,000) (3m kroner on islands with less than 10,000 inhabitants); and publish at least one peer-reviewed research paper every three years. – The Art Newspaper
- Indigenous Australian Broadcaster Rhoda Roberts, 66
Roberts dedicated her life to sharing the stories of her people, preserving and promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through language, dance and ceremony, and securing pathways for First Nations talent to flourish. – The Guardian
- Gold Toilet Appears On The National Mall
This toilet, spray-painted gold and set on a faux-marble pedestal, is the latest in a series of protest artworks and installations taking aim at President Donald Trump and his administration. A plaque on each side of the structure reads: a Throne Fit for a King. – Washington Post
- What Director Joe Mantello Learned From Arthur Miller’s Draft Typescript Of “Death Of A Salesman”
The playwright’s handwritten notes, stage directions and edits made during rehearsals for the play’s world premiere contain some telling and even surprising details. “Sometimes,” says Mantello, “it’s just a little clue that lodges itself in your brain.” – The New York Times
- Hollywood’s Job Market Is Collapsing
Hollywood studios are making significantly fewer movies and television shows than they did just a few years ago. The ones they do make are increasingly being shot in other countries and states that offer more generous tax subsidies. – The Wall Street Journal
- Trump Unveils Plans For His Presidential Library In Miami
A red, white and blue spire sits atop the multistory tower. The library is set to feature golden escalators, a golden statue of the president raising his fist in the air and several aircraft, including what appears to be one of the jets used as Air Force One. – The Wall Street Journal
- New York’s Iconic Symphony Space To Get A Makeover
When the venue reopens in 2028, after a 15-month closure that begins at the end of this year, an updated version of its signature metal marquee will hang above Broadway again. But the interior will be completely renovated, and its many eccentricities addressed, in time for its 50th anniversary. – The New York Times
- On Set, Seeing How Microdramas Get Made
“As opposed to a traditional set, there are no luxury trailers for the stars, no furnished dressing rooms or green rooms for the execs. Each member of the crew, from production assistant to top-billed star, receives the same treatment. And things move fast — some actors shoot all their scenes in one day.” – TheWrap (Yahoo!)
- Trouble At Chicago’s Theater Awards, The Jeffs
“A week after boos rained down in a ceremony honoring Chicago’s top storefront theater companies, the Joseph Jefferson Awards — known as ‘the Jeffs’ — are facing backlash. … The looming questions underneath all of the recent blowback: Are the Jeff Awards broken? After over a half-century in operation, what purpose do they serve today?” – WBEZ (Chicago)
- Reconsidering Morton Feldman In His Centennial Year
“In his time, many composers were preoccupied with structural rigor. His quietly sensual works were humanist, exploring the common yet profound experiences of distorted memory, wonder and loss. His influence on music has arguably outstripped that of his mentor, the great downtown philosopher-composer John Cage.” – The New York Times
- Eurovision Song Contest Is Expanding Into Asia
The Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026, with finals scheduled for November in Bangkok, has confirmed at least 10 countries as contestants: Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. More are expected to join in coming months. – AP
- The World’s 100 Most Visited Museums In 2025: Some Surprises Among The Perennials
The Louvre is still no. 1, with the Vatican Museums a distant second; the National Museum in Seoul surpassed the British Museum to take third place. Attendance at some legacy institutions still hasn’t recovered from COVID, but some new museums are popular, and numbers keep growing in Asia and Latin America. – The Art Newspaper
- Choreographer Ben Stevenson, Who Brought Houston Ballet To Prominence, Has Died At 89
“Known for the organic beauty, narrative drive and humor of his productions, (he) became the most famous ballet choreographer in Texas, and one of the most celebrated in the country, during almost three decades at the helm of Houston Ballet and later at Fort Worth-based Texas Ballet Theater.” – The Dallas Morning News (Yahoo!)
- Is There A New Rembrandt At The Art Institute Of Chicago?
A portrait, currently on loan to the Institute, in a UK collection that has long been dismissed as a workshop copy of an almost identical painting by Rembrandt was, in fact, also painted by the Dutch master, according to a leading scholar. (Scholars at the Art Institute are not yet convinced.) – The Guardian
- Financial and Administrative Officer – Cincinnati Opera
Company Location: Cincinnati, OH
Job Location: On Site/In Person
Job Type: Full Time
Date Posted: March 16, 2026
Network(s): Finance, HR, & AdministrationDESCRIPTION
Cincinnati Opera seeks a strategic, analytically strong, and collaborative leader to serve as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO). This role is a key thought partner to the General Director & CEO and a member of the senior leadership team, providing insight, analysis, and leadership to support the organization’s financial health and long-term sustainability.
Working closely with senior leadership and the Board, the CFAO guides financial strategy in an environment where core finance, accounting, HR, payroll, and IT functions are delivered through a shared-services partnership with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and trusted third-party providers. The role is focused on planning, forecasting, risk management, and decision support, rather than day-to-day transaction processing or operational execution.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as Cincinnati Opera’s senior financial executive, responsible for financial strategy, fiscal stewardship, and the integrity of financial reporting and internal controls, reporting directly to the CEO and functioning as the primary financial liaison to the Board of Trustees and its committees.
- Serve as staff liaison to the Finance & Audit Committee and the Investment Committee; partner with trustee-chairs to develop agendas, provide analysis and recommendations, and present financial data and reports as needed.
- Lead development of the annual operating budget, along with forecasting, scenario planning, and multi-year financial modeling to support the organization’s mission and strategic priorities.
- Develop and maintain financial dashboards, scorecards, and key performance indicators.
- Oversee treasury management, including cash flow planning and relationships with banks, custodians, and investment managers.
- Oversee risk management activities, including insurance coverage and contractual review; provide contract oversight, including artist agreements and lease arrangements.
- Serve on a small leadership team managing union relationships and negotiations.
- Manage the external audit process and act as primary liaison to the shared-services provider; ensure coordination across finance, audit, and HR functions consistently meets Cincinnati Opera’s needs.
- In collaboration with Development, oversee gift accounting to ensure accurate records and donor intent documentation for pledges, planned gifts, and restricted and endowment funds.
- Collaborate with the Development team to supply financial modeling, budgets, reporting, and compliance documentation for grant proposals and post-award reporting.
- Coordinate with outsourced IT and other professional service providers to ensure alignment and accountability.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis, including multi-year modeling and scenario planning.
- Experience partnering with senior leaders and boards on long-term financial planning and organizational sustainability in a nonprofit, arts, or mission-driven organization.
- Ability to translate complex financial data into clear insights that support decision-making at the senior leadership and board level, including monitoring performance against budget and identifying trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Experience with accounting, audit, or financial reporting, and the ability to work effectively across strategic and operational finance functions.
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business, or a related field; CPA, advanced degree, or relevant certifications preferred.
- Strong communication skills and a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach, with the ability to build effective working relationships across departments and with external partners.
- Comfort working in a shared-service or outsourced finance environment and coordinating with external professional service providers.
- Commitment to the mission of Cincinnati Opera.
About Cincinnati Opera
Founded in 1920, Cincinnati Opera is one of the oldest and most highly regarded opera companies in the United States. Known for its longstanding partnership with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, a roster of world-class singers, and its spectacular performance venue, Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati Opera has received numerous accolades and awards, including a recent nomination for the prestigious International Opera Award. Cincinnati Opera offers a primary season of performances from June through August (paid attendance 17,000–20,000), plus a host of events throughout the year, including educational programming, small-scale public performances, recitals, and fundraisers.
Note from the General Director & CEO:
Greetings from Cincinnati Opera. I thought it might be helpful to share a bit more context about this opportunity. The Chief Financial & Administrative Officer role comes at an important and forward-looking moment for Cincinnati Opera. Over the past several years, we have focused on strengthening the organization’s financial position in partnership with our Board, while continuing to invest in artistic excellence, innovation, and community impact. We have recently transitioned core finance and HR functions to a shared-services model, creating new opportunities to reimagine how strategic financial leadership can support the company’s future.
With these changes in place, we are seeking a thoughtful, collaborative financial leader who will partner closely with me, our senior leadership team, and our Board to guide long-range financial planning, support sound decision-making, and help align ambition with sustainability. This role spans strategy and operations and involves working with an expert team of committed professionals, an engaged and highly qualified Board, longstanding partnerships, and a financial structure that has tested the field for centuries, all in pursuit of an art form that delivers like no other.
The CFAO will join an engaged and supportive leadership team—some of the best people I know—and work closely with a committed Board that, like all of us at Cincinnati Opera, cares deeply about the future of the art form and the company. I know I speak for the entire organization when I say we are excited to find the right person for this role and to welcome them into our community. I look forward to being in conversation.
Christopher Milligan
The Harry Fath General Director & CEODesired Start Date: May 1, 2026
BENEFITS
Pay Range: $110,000 – $125,000 Annual
Competitive benefits packageHOW TO APPLY
Submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to Stephanie Kolodziejski at Strategic HR. Initial application review will begin March 23, 2026.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Application Email/Link: SDKolodziejski@StrategicHRinc.com
- Big Art Heist In Italy
Four hooded thieves forced their way through a first floor door in the museum’s Villa of Masterpiece overnight between March 22 and 23, but the museum chose to keep the audacious heist a secret, the police spokesperson told CNN. – CNN
- Meet The Voice Of Romantasy
- Flush With Cash, Universal Music Announces Share Buyback Plan
“Our strong balance sheet and cash generation gives us the flexibility to repurchase shares, while preserving ample capacity to invest in our growth strategy, and reconfirming our commitment to maintaining our credit ratings and our dividend policy.” – Music Business Worldwide
- Bringing Indigenous Culture To The Billboards Of Times Square
By bringing this ancestral dance to Times Square’s glowing billboards, Jeffrey Gibson turns a space of mass consumption into one of visibility and spiritual invocation – what he describes as ‘an ancestral call for strength and healing for all Indigenous people’. – Aeon
- When Art Meets Pantone: The Science of Seeing Red
What happens when something as intuitive as color gets the full industrial treatment? Turns out defining ‘blue’ requires lab coats, corporate committees, and aesthetic philosophers. Welcome to the bureaucracy of beauty. – The Wall Street Journal
- HBO Max UK Launch: Meet The New Boss
Streaming’s rebel phase is officially over. HBO Max’s confused British debut—complete with licensing tangles, bundling mysteries, and consumer bewilderment—proves digital platforms have become everything they once promised to disrupt. — The Conversation
- Bridgerton Finally Gives Its Diversity Some Actual Drama
After seasons of pretty faces in period costumes, the Netflix hit discovers that meaningful representation requires more than just colorblind casting—it needs actual storylines that grapple with identity and belonging. — LitHub
- Artists Developed Nuclear Photography (Results May Vary)
Slow War Against the Nuclear State excavates the visual complicity between art and annihilation. These cultural archaeologists prove that the camera didn’t just capture history—it helped make the bomb possible. Click, boom. – Hyperallergic
- Artists Cast Themselves As Humanity’s Last Stand
A flamenco guitarist and juggler explain why they’re the antidote to our tech-flattened souls. Because apparently what civilization really needs is more passionate strumming and flying objects to remember we’re human. – Aeon
- The Design Errors In Trump’s White House Ballroom
The hurried reviews, with construction cranes already swiveling above the White House grounds, are an abrupt departure from how new monuments, museums and even modest renovations have been designed and refined in the capital for decades. And the ballroom will be worse off for it, architects warn. – The New York Times
