Today’s AJ Newsletter Highlights

Good morning! Here are the AJ highlights for today. But first, two more stories to draw your attention to about the psychology of creativity. The first, from Harvard Business Review stresses the importance of play, the need to let your attention wander and explore. The second, from Psychology Today, explores the psychological reasons famous composers have dry spells. Turns out it might have something to do with how their careers unfold and when they became successful. Here are the rest of today’s highlights:

  • London City Ballet Resurrected Christopher Marney is leading the revival of the London City Ballet after discovering that the name and rights were unused. This marks a significant return for ballet in Britain, as regional theaters show strong demand for classical performances. Read more in The New York Times.
  • Booker Prize Shortlist Announced Five of the six authors shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize are women, with the Netherlands being represented for the first time. This diverse selection highlights the increasing global recognition of female voices in literature. Read more in BBC.
  • Museums Embrace AI to Help Authenticate Artworks Museums are increasingly turning to AI technologies to authenticate art and detect forgeries. The use of AI in this process is transforming the art world. Read more in ARTnews.
  • Vinyl and CD Sales on the Rise Again In a surprising trend, younger consumers are driving the resurgence of physical music formats, particularly CDs, as a cheaper alternative to vinyl records. This revival reflects changing consumption habits in the digital age. Read more in MusicRadar.
  • The Movie Business Feels Apocalyptic The movie industry is facing unprecedented challenges, leading to a sense of apocalypse among insiders. From streaming wars to dwindling theater audiences, the industry is navigating existential threats. Read more in The New York Times.

As usual, the rest of the stories we collected in the past day are down below. If you know anyone who might like the AJ newsletter, please forward this email and send them here to subscribe. Until tomorrow.

Doug

Latest Stories

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra Adds Another Artistic Partner: Violinist Alina Ibragimova

The Russian-British violinist joins five current artistic partners: harpsichordist and conductor Richard Egarr, pianist Richard Goode, cellist Abel Selaocoe, conductor Gábor Takács-Nagy, and violist Tabea Zimmermann. Ibragimova’s term begins next season. - The Strad

A Sea Change In Australian Orchestra Programming

Overall, works by women made up 14.6 percent of programming in 2025, an increase on 2024’s 11.9 percent after a dip from 13.2 percent in 2023. - Limelight

Gen Z Is Returning To The Movie Theatre

Gen Z is buying up a higher percentage of movie tickets, rising from 34% of the overall box office in 2019 to 39% last year. - The Star-Tribune

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