ArtsJournal: Arts, Culture, Ideas

This Week’s AJ Highlights

Good morning: We collected 132 stories this week. That’s a lot to sort through, so here are some highlights. Jump down to see all the stories we posted.

  • Man Smashes Ai Weiwei Art at Show Opening in Rome
    A man vandalized a sculpture by Ai Weiwei at an art show in Rome, smashing the piece during the exhibition’s opening. The footage was shared on Ai Weiwei’s Instagram, sparking debates about the motivations behind art vandalism and the role of protest in contemporary art. Read more on Reuters.
  • More Than 10,000 Books Were Banned in the U.S. Last Year
    PEN America’s report revealed that book bans in the U.S. surged to over 10,000 last year. This censorship crisis highlights increasing cultural and political divides over access to literature in schools and public libraries. Read more on The Guardian.
  • World’s First AI Art Museum to Open in Los Angeles
    Refik Anadol, a pioneer in AI-generated art, is opening the first museum dedicated to AI art in downtown Los Angeles, across from Disney Concert Hall. This groundbreaking project marks a pivotal moment in the integration of technology and art. Read more on Los Angeles Times.
  • Extreme Candor: Pittsburgh Arts Council Admits Big Failures
    The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council has taken an unusual approach in its new strategic plan by openly acknowledging significant past failures. This transparent move is part of an effort to rebuild trust and foster stronger community support. Read more on WESA.
  • Why Is Executive Leadership in Dance Companies So Difficult?
    Leadership in dance companies remains a major challenge, with executives often cycling through multiple organizations. This ongoing leadership crisis has led to uncertainty and instability in an industry reliant on strong artistic and business acumen. Read more on Dance Magazine.

Till next week.

Doug

Latest Stories

Longtime Houston Alley Theatre Managing Director To Step Down

The Alley put out a press statement that included a long list of financial achievements during the years Dean Gladden has been managing director. When he came to the Alley the Houston theater was facing an $800,000 deficit. "The Alley now boasts financial reserves exceeding $5 million." - Houston Press

The Fake Van Goghs That Fooled The Experts

Experts at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam say three paintings in private collections previously believed to be by the artist are fakes, including one that was authenticated by the museum and sold for nearly $1 million at Christie’s in 2011. - Hyperallergic

The Case For Why Painting Still Matters

In an age of cold digital screens and AI-enhanced visual manipulation, we have been told that canvas, oil and pigment are becoming irrelevant, or somehow reactionary. But the public has never really noticed this. - New Statesman

Premium

Artistic Director – SpeakEasy Stage Boston

SpeakEasy Stage - Boston’s home for bold theatre - invites applications from collaborative and risk-taking artistic leaders to serve as its next Artistic Director.

Yakima Symphony Orchestra seeks Executive Director

The Yakima Symphony Orchestra welcomes nominations and applications for...

Fall + Winter 2025 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.

Want to be an Arts Consultant? Arts for Social Change? Advocacy? Foundations? Ready to Lead?

The goal of Goucher's MA in Arts Administration is to ensure your success. We have 26 years of experience, a 2:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and classes that are practical and immediately applicable.

Nancy Savage Skinner ’79 Director- Prior Performing Arts Center at The College of the Holy Cross

The Prior serves as a catalyst for an integrative, cross-disciplinary liberal arts education, centering the creative and performing arts within the development of Holy Cross students.

Director of Development – Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival

The Director of Development (DOD – Full Time) is...

Classifieds

Worcester Chamber Music Society seeks new Executive Director

WCMS now seeks a new Executive Director to lead WCMS into its next stage of creative enterprise.

Artistic Director – Theatre for a New Audience

The Artistic Director will lead the creation and implementation of TFANA’s artistic vision, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and values.

Artistic Director – SpeakEasy Stage Boston

SpeakEasy Stage - Boston’s home for bold theatre - invites applications from collaborative and risk-taking artistic leaders to serve as its next Artistic Director.

Music Director/Conductor of Opera at USC and Collaborative Pianist

The University of South Carolina School of Music is accepting applicants for a Assistant or Associate Professor, 9-month, tenure-track, faculty position.

Addison Theatre Centre Manager

Under the general direction of the Director of Special Events & Theatre, develops, plans and implements a variety of programs and leads the day-to-day business operations for The Addison Theatre Centre.

Artistic Director – Children’s Musical Theater San Jose

Children’s Musical Theater San Jose (CMT) seeks an engaging, collaborative, and strategic Artistic Director to help guide its next chapter.

Director, John J. Cali School of Music

The John J. Cali School of Music seeks a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative leader to serve as its next Director.

Part Time – Visual Arts – Emerging Artist in Residence

The Penn State Altoona Visual Art Studies program invites applications for its Spring 2025 Emerging Artist in Residence.

Executive Director, American Visionary Art Museum

The American Visionary Art Museum seeks a dynamic leader to partner with board, staff, and constituents to envision and build the next chapter for this extraordinary museum dedicated to visionaries of all sorts.
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