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

Apple TV Has A New, Colorful Logo, Created Fully By Hand In An Old-School Studio Way

The design team “gathered in a studio with a blacked-out stage, a giant glass version of the Apple TV logo, and a bevy of colorful studio lights.” - Fast Company (Archive Today)

The National Exhibits That Took Years, Even Decades, To Plan, Are Shuttered And Empty

“At a time when the Trump administration is cutting arts funding and seeking to influence content at the Smithsonian, the shutdown, now the longest in the nation’s history, is adding further uncertainty to D.C.’s already rattled museums.” - Washington Post (MSN)

Birmingham, England: The Next Hollywood?

Why not? After all, “the city was once synonymous with groundbreaking television." - BBC

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Director of Programming, Hult Center, Eugene, OR

Application Deadline: Monday, December 1, 2025, at 5 p.m. P.T. Accepting Online Applications Only Via the City of Eugene’s Website: Director of Programming | Job

Modern Women: 21st Century Dance a COLORING BOOK and CALENDAR 2026

Modern Women: 21st Century Dance coloring book and calendar 2026 Great gifts for women, girls, dance lovers and those who love them.

Assistant Professor/Associate Professor of Theatre Arts (Directing) or Assistant Professor/Associate Professor of Professional Practice in Theatre Arts (Directing)

The Program aims to attract dynamic and dedicated artists with vision, a standing in the profession, a commitment to teaching, service, and an appetite for collaborating across disciplines.

Texas Ballet Theater seeks Director of Development Via Sweibel Arts

Texas Ballet Theater seeks a strategic, relationship-driven Director of Development to lead fundraising and donor engagement as the company launches a $40 million capital campaign.
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