How DC-Area Arts Groups Weathered The Storm "Many of the city's museums and theaters went dark over the weekend" as the mammoth snowstorm struck, but the Newseum remained open, and "despite the snowdrifts and lack of public transportation, the show did go on at a few area venues." So did some rehearsals. Washington Post 02/09/10

Brooklyn Cultural District Construction To Begin "The projects include the long-awaited new building for Theatre for a New Audience; a renovation of the Strand Theater building; [and] a third theater venue for BAM.... But the nascent arts neighborhood has had so many setbacks, it's easy to question whether these projects will be completed as scheduled, especially during a major recession." Crain's New York Business 02/07/10

The USA's Sixty Biggest Donors Arts givers in 2009's top 10: Michael Bloomberg (No. 4), Louise Dieterle Nippert (No. 5) and Eli and Edythe Broad (No. 7). Slate 02/05/10

Obama Names Chuck Close, Jhumpa Lahiri To Arts Panel Newly appointed to the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, Chuck Close and Jhumpa Lahiri "will become the first visual artist and writer on an advisory panel weighted with actors and business people." Los Angeles Times 02/05/10

How Eli Broad Has Changed LA Culture "Mr. Broad dominates the arts here with a force that has no parallel in any major city. Los Angeles would literally not look the same had Mr. Broad not chosen it as his home 40 years ago, and his business-focused method of managing his giving has earned him a reputation as both a genius and a despot." The New York Times 02/08/10

Rethinking The Venerable University Of California "Should UC increase its use of online classes? Could bachelor's degrees be earned in three years? Should campuses eliminate small departments that are duplicated elsewhere? Enroll more out-of-state students to raise revenue? Boost research ties with private industry?" Los Angeles Times 02/08/10

Has Pasadena Lost Its Way With Culture? "At the turn of the last century, Pasadena's love of the arts was part of what historian Kevin Starr called a "genteel tradition," which included a Shakespeare Club and a Grand Opera House. But these days, Pasadena's art scene is in flux." Los Angeles Times 02/07/10

UK Universities Change Entry Requirements "Universities have introduced the changes partly because of surging numbers of applications -- with a rise of nearly 12% expected in national figures to be released this week." The Times 02/07/10

When High Art Was Part Of The Ordinary Aspiration "In those days it was taken for granted that the upward mobility of middle-class Americans extended to cultural matters, and that anyone, educated or not, could appreciate highbrow art so long as it was presented in an accessible and engaging way." The Wall Street Journal 02/06/10

Buried Under The Online Avalanche "Falling behind is the permanent state of being online. There's too much stuff. No one can see it all. (Or should -- becoming a pop culture connoisseur in the age of a bazillion memes would require such relentless viewing that you couldn't be a connoisseur of anything else. Like bathing.)" Washington Post 02/05/10

Los Angeles City Council Saves Arts Funding "The Los Angeles City Council unanimously shot down a proposal Wednesday that would have eliminated guaranteed city funding for the arts, after listening to often-impassioned pleas during a public hearing on cutting government services and jobs in the face of a municipal budget crisis." Los Angeles Times 02/05/10

World's Oldest Christian Monastery Completes Restoration "Egypt's antiquities chief on Thursday unveiled the completion of an 8-year, $14.5 million restoration of the world's oldest Christian monastery," St. Anthony's in the Red Sea Mountains. The monastery, which is still in operation, was completed in 350AD by the followers of its namesake saint, who is considered the founder of Christian monasticism. Yahoo!/AP 02/04/10

Pop-Culture Smackdown: Indianapolis Vs. New Orleans One city is "famous for its sinful food and its scrumptious music and its freewheeling spirit, for legendary jazz performers such as Jelly Roll Morton. The other is a stolid, serious and responsible locale famous for ... well, Jared, the Subway guy. ... But America loves an underdog. And Indianapolis is no slouch in the cultural realm." Chicago Tribune 02/03/10

Should There Be Driver's Licenses For The Internet? "I can hear the worldwide scream go up: 'But we're entitled to anonymity on the Internet!' Really? Are you? Why do you think that? … [In] the physical world we are implicitly comfortable with the notion that there are certain places we're not allowed to go without identifying ourselves." Time 01/30/10

Site Of Greensboro Lunch Counter Sit-In Becomes Civil Rights Museum "[One] of the achievements of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, which is opening Monday in that former Woolworth building, is that you begin to understand how such a place became a pivot in the greatest political movement of the 20th century." New York Times 02/01/10