ArtsJournal: Arts, Culture, Ideas

This Week’s AJ Highlights

Good morning. Here are this week’s highlights:

  • Asheville’s Arts District Devastated by Flooding from Hurricane Helene
    Asheville’s River Arts District, home to galleries, studios, and performance spaces, was severely impacted by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. Artists and businesses are grappling with significant losses as they work to rebuild the city’s vibrant cultural hub. Read more on Hyperallergic.
  • Manchester Climate-Protesting Art Vandals Acquitted
    Two Just Stop Oil activists who glued themselves to the frame of a J.M.W. Turner painting were acquitted in Manchester. The court ruled that no lasting damage was caused, reigniting debates about art, protest, and the legal system’s handling of activism. Read more on Artnet.
  • Seeing Art in Person Sparks Far More Brain Activity than Reproductions
    A new study commissioned by the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague shows that viewing original artworks triggers ten times more brain activity than looking at reproductions. This research underscores the irreplaceable value of experiencing art firsthand. Read more on The Guardian.
  • The Black List Expands to Books
    The Black List, famous for identifying emerging screenwriters whose work has gone on to win Academy Awards, is now turning its focus to the publishing world. This expansion could bring a significant shake-up to how new writing talent is discovered. Read more on Wired.
  • Has Music Software Made Music Worse?
    Musician Billy Corgan argues that tools like Pro Tools have “leveled the playing field” in a way that has diluted musicianship, making it easier for people without talent to produce music. His critical take sheds light on the downside of technology’s impact on creativity. Read more on MusicTech.

As usual, jump down below to see stories we collected, arranged by topic.

See yiou next week.

Doug

Latest Stories

Harry Blitzstein, The “Consummate L.A. Painter,” Is Dead At 87

“(He) often noted that the difficulties of getting gallery shows, and the disappointments that often followed, led him to open (the Blitzstein Museum of Art), which he stocked with an ever-growing hodge-podge of his surreal, imaginative, sometimes dark, often playful, paintings.” - Los Angeles Times

Wikipedia Makes Licensing Deal With Big AI Companies

Wikipedia’s human traffic dropped 8% year-over-year, according to data the Wikimedia Foundation published in October 2025. Research from Profound analyzing 680 million AI citations found that Wikipedia accounts for 47.9% of ChatGPT’s top-10 most-cited sources. - Shelly Palmer

A Post-Fiasco Reset At Dallas Black Dance Theatre

That fiasco, during 2024-25, featured the firing of the dancers, loss of municipal funding, and a government-ordered overhaul of governance and employment practices. Now, with a new board, restored funding, and the search for a new executive director, DBDT is trying to rebuild its artistic work and public trust....

Premium

Seeking Senior Audience Services Manager for Box Office Operations

STG is seeking a highly skilled and successful candidate to provide strong leadership and oversee the smooth operation of the audience services department.

Finance Consultant – Arts FMS

Arts FMS is seeking a Finance Consultant with extensive experience in accounting and financial management, preferably in the arts sector.

Fall 2026 Applications Open for MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises

Earn your Master’s in One Year. Northwestern University’s MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises (MSLCE) program develops leaders across Entertainment, Media and the Arts.

Classifieds

Director of Artistic Operations

The Knights seek a Director of Artistic Operations to work with the Artistic Directors and Executive Director on high-level artistic planning and program implementation.

Handel and Haydn seeks President and Chief Executive Officer

Handel and Haydn provides a competitive and equitable compensation package with an estimated base salary in the range of $275,000 to $325,000.

Overture Center for the Arts seeks Chief Financial Officer/Co-Chief Executive Officer

Overture Center for the Arts seeks Chief Financial Officer/Co-Chief Executive Officer. Overture Center offers a salary range between $170,000 and $185,000 with benefits.

Pewabic Pottery seeks next Executive Director

Pewabic Pottery, one of the oldest continuously operating potteries in the country & now a nonprofit in Detroit, MI seeks its next Executive Director.
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