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- How “The New Yorker Story” Became A Genre
“I hadn’t investigated this term in depth, but I understood it to mean ‘a short story that is meandering, plotless, and slight — full of middle-class people discussing their relentlessly banal problems.’ … But they were also good!” Those characteristics were deliberately shaped by the different preferences of two key editors. – Woman of Letters
- Lessons From The Aztecs: Rule By Coercion Never Works
The Aztec empire did not fall because it lacked capability. It collapsed because it accumulated too many adversaries who resented its dominance. This is a historical episode the US president, Donald Trump, should take notice of as his rift with traditional US allies deepens. – The Conversation
- The Real Oral History Of The Sundance Festival In Park City
“The sweetest, spiciest and most shocking Sundance stories are ones you don’t hear at Q&As inside the Eccles or Egyptian. … Who better to rewind the times than a group of filmmakers who had their lives changed by what went down during America’s most consequential gathering of independent film insiders?” – The Hollywood Reporter
- Perversely — AI Is Proving The Uniqueness Of Our Creativity
A great human artist, we’d like to believe, amplifies and defends the exceptionalist spirit of our species but, in an echo of the anxieties that haunted early photography, a demonised version of AI threatens to steal away our souls. – Aeon
- Painter Bob Ross, Public Media Rock Star
His painting are being sold to benefit public television. The latest, Change of Seasons (1990) led the sale, bringing in $787,900, more than 13 times its $60,000 high estimate. – Artnet
- If Radio Is Becoming Streaming What If NPR Ditched Radio?
What if NPR decides radio is no longer worth the hassle and puts all its efforts into streaming audio and podcasts? What if it drops the national linear feed altogether or simply lets on-air programming age out with over-the-air listeners? – Editor & Publisher
- Will Sundance Lose Its Magic When It Moves From Park City To Boulder?
While many acknowledge that the festival has outgrown the tiny ski resort where it started, “longtime Sundance-goers hope that the festival’s indie spirit won’t dim when it uproots for Colorado. And they’re happy that Sundance’s leadership opted to host the event in a college town that also boasts natural beauty.” – Variety
- Welcome To The Era Of De-Social Media
Platforms originally defined by keeping up with people you know, or have at least heard of, become something fundamentally different. – Intelligencer
- Take a Dip, Please, in NYC’s East River<a href="https://www.artsjournal.com/herman/2026/01/take-a-dip-please-in-nycs-east-river.html" title="Take a Dip, Please, in NYC’s East River” rel=”nofollow”>
Wishing that Stephen Miller, Gregory Bovino, Tom Homan, Kristi Noem, J.D. Vance, bigmouth Trumpscheisse, and the rest of his ilk were frozen in one of these ice floes? - Why Our Cities Need More Places Of Serenity
Perceptual psychologists have long studied what happens when people stare at uniform fields of colour without visual edges or contrasts. Sometimes, experiencing this kind of sensory deprivation can result in something known as the Ganzfeld effect: a response to a uniform field that causes the brain’s pattern recognition to work harder. – Psyche
- Why More Professors Are Making Their Students Read On Paper
“The English classroom is increasingly a kind of special place where it’s still possible to converse without the screen. AI only seems to make it more imperative to make sure that students are having a direct experience with the text.” – Yale Daily News
- Ex-General Manager Of Sacramento’s Public Radio Station Arrested For Embezzlement
“Capital Public Radio’s former general manager Jun Reina was arrested Thursday in connection to embezzlement, grand theft and forgery charges after prosecutors accused him of misappropriating more than $1.3 million from the NPR-broadcaster licensed to Sacramento State (University).” – The Sacramento Bee
- Why Small Liberal Arts Colleges Are The Education Of Choice
At a small liberal-arts college, where a cohort may number fewer than 500 people, admissions officers can also take a stronger hand in assembling a group of students who match the institution’s culture and its vibe while also having very different backgrounds. – The Atlantic
- When Students Are “Customers” Education Suffers
Over the past 15 to 20 years, declining numbers of college-age Americans and a seemingly endless rise in tuition have brought about a shift in power. Students are now treated like customers who rarely have to hear information that upsets them — because schools need their money to survive. – The New York Times
- Kennedy Center VP Of Artistic Planning, Resigns After Being On The Job Two Weeks
Kevin Couch, formerly the director of programming for ATG Entertainment, a British theater company, is the latest in a string of resignations and show cancellations since President Trump purged the center’s board and made himself chairman last year. – The New York Times
- This Theater Company’s Idea To Attract Audiences? Free Childcare
“At Palo Alto Players, the initiative is part of a broader effort to lower barriers to getting to the theater — one (Managing Director Elizabeth) Santana credits with putting the company in ‘a state of growth,’ a rarity in a Bay Area theater scene reeling from closed companies and abridged lineups.” – San Francisco Chronicle (Yahoo!)
- Parliament-Funkadelic For Full Symphony Orchestra, Now Playing In Detroit
“The Detroit Opera will showcase some of funk maestro George Clinton ‘s and P-Funk’s greatest hits this weekend, performed by violins, cellos, horns and other instruments tuned more for arias or sonatas than for tunes like ‘Flash Light,’ ‘(Not Just) Knee Deep’ and ‘One Nation Under a Groove.’” – AP
- As ICE Descends On Maine, Cambodian Immigrants Find Solace In Traditional Dance
Sokhoeun Sok came to the US in 2005 to teach traditional Khmer dance and is now a naturalized citizen. For now, she “is focusing on what she can control: each bend of the wrist, extension of the arm and kick of the heel” executed by her students. – The New York Times
- San Francisco Has A Public Space Ripe For Becoming The Next High Line
“The second-level promenade of the Embarcadero Center is one of the more scenic, beautifully landscaped, well-maintained spaces in San Francisco. … Yet despite its charms, the Embarcadero Center is also one of San Francisco’s most-underutilized spaces. … (It) can and should be our High Line — only better.” – San Francisco Chronicle (MSN)
- Former CNN Anchor Don Lemon Arrested Following Minneapolis Protest
“Lemon was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles, where he had been covering the Grammy Awards, his attorney said. It is unclear what charge or charges Lemon is facing in the Jan. 18 protest. The arrest came after a magistrate judge last week rejected prosecutors’ initial bid to charge the journalist.” – AP
- Dudamel And New York Philharmonic To Present Operas At Carnegie Hall
“Initially, the Philharmonic and Carnegie Hall will collaborate for five seasons, with Dudamel leading the orchestra in an annual concert opera, beginning (this coming) November with a two-night run of Puccini’s Tosca.” The cast will include Marina Rebeka as Tosca, Jonas Kaufmann as Cavaradossi and Ludovic Tézier as Scarpia.” – The New York Times
- Kennedy Center Fires Senior Director Of Artistic Operations
Sarah Kramer “(had) spent the past decade rising through the ranks of the once-venerated cultural institution. She started as an assistant manager for special programming in 2016. Over the years, she was promoted to assistant manager, then manager for programming, then director, and finally senior director of artistic operations.” – The Daily Beast
- Columbia Museum of Art – Executive Director
The Columbia Museum of Art (CMA), in Columbia, South Carolina, an AAM-accredited institution, seeks an Executive Director to build upon its 75-year legacy. The Director will be charged with charting new pathways for growth, engagement, sustainability, and implementing an ambitious strategic plan. As the preeminent art museum in South Carolina’s capital, the CMA has been a dynamic prominent cultural anchor in the region for decades. Founded in 1950 and celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2025, it was born from the inspired philanthropy of local citizens and has grown from its origins in the former Taylor House into a modern 25-gallery facility in the heart of Columbia’s vibrant Main Street district. The CMA is driven by its mission “to spark powerful connections through art from around the corner and around the world in an environment that is welcoming to all,” fostering an inclusive and participatory environment where diverse audiences can experience, learn, and create.
CMA’s distinguished collection of more than 7,000 works spans 5,000 years of global art history, with strengths in European Renaissance and Baroque painting, 19th-century American art, and Asian ceramics. The Museum is also deeply committed to modern and contemporary art, featuring works by seminal artists such as Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Robert Rauschenberg, alongside significant pieces by leading Southern artists. This breadth allows it to present a compelling narrative of artistic achievement across cultures and time periods, which it activates through a robust schedule of both nationally touring exhibitions and innovative installations drawn from its own holdings.
The Museum operates as a vital community nexus, welcoming approximately 135,000 visitors annually from the greater Columbia area, across the state of South Carolina, the Southeast, and beyond. Its impact extends beyond its walls through extensive educational outreach, serving over 30,000 students and educators each year with curriculum-based tours, hands-on workshops, and partnerships with local schools. Public programs including artist talks, film series, and community festivals reinforce the CMA’s role as a gathering place for dialogue and creative expression. The Museum’s participation in Columbia’s annual “Artista Vista” gallery crawl, highlights its integration into the city’s cultural and economic fabric.
With an annual operating budget of approximately $6 million and a dedicated staff of 35 full- and part-time employees, the CMA is poised for a transformative phase of leadership. Following a period of strategic assessment, the CMA Board of Trustees, the CMA Commission, and staff have recently developed a forward-looking, three-year Strategic Integration Plan. This plan establishes clear priorities for the institution’s next chapter: achieving Fiscal Sustainability; enhancing Donor Stewardship; pursuing Operational Excellence; stewarding the Collections and Exhibitions; and deepening Education, Engagement, and Outreach. The plan will be in its first year of implementation during the 2026-27 fiscal year, allowing the new Executive Director the opportunity to place their mark on how the strategic priorities are achieved.
The Opportunity
The next Executive Director of the Columbia Museum of Art will arrive at a pivotal moment, inheriting an institution celebrated for its world-class collection and Southern charm yet poised for transformative growth. They will be responsible for embracing the Strategic Integration Plan and bringing it to life, championing the Museum’s mission to be an inclusive, participatory hub where art and community thrive. This is an outstanding opportunity to lead a respected cultural institution into its next era by deepening financial resilience, expanding audience reach, and strengthening the CMA’s role as an indispensable part of the region’s economic, cultural, and social fabric.
The Executive Director, in partnership with an engaged Board, a passionate staff, and a supportive community, will focus on several key initiatives.•Articulate and lead a visionary path forward, demonstrating a 21st-century understanding of museums, a passion for the impact of the arts, and innovative strategies for audience engagement.
•Provide strategic leadership and financial oversight for the Museum, ensuring accountability for the core priorities of the Strategic Integration Plan: Fiscal Sustainability; Donor Stewardship; Operational Excellence; Collections and Exhibitions; and Education, Engagement & Outreach.
•Uphold excellence in collections care and exhibition programming, delivering world-class experiences that attract broad audiences and align with donor interests.
•Serve as the chief fundraiser and primary spokesperson, cultivating financial support and resources to meet both near-term and long-term goals, advancing the organization’s mission and programs, and building brand awareness locally, regionally, and nationally.
•Elevate the CMA’s profile by deepening investment in the regional community, championing the unique culture of Columbia and South Carolina, and cultivating strategic relationships with city, county, and state government, partner organizations, and key stakeholders.
•Oversee daily operations and executive direction for all museum programs, staff, and infrastructure, ensuring operational excellence and modernization of physical and technological resources.
•Foster a collaborative and inclusive organizational culture that empowers staff, engages the Board, and ensures the CMA is a welcoming and accessible place where all guests experience a sense of belonging.
Responsibilities and Expectations
•Work in close partnership with the Board of Trustees; actively engage and cultivate relationships with Trustees to foster involvement, stability, harnessing their best ideas, efforts, resources, and networks in support of the CMA’s mission.
•In partnership with the CMA Board of Trustees, the CMA Commission, and the senior team, implement the CMA’s Strategic Integration Plan to ensure organizational alignment and mission fulfillment.
•In close collaboration with the Director of Development, Development Team, Marketing and Communications, and other senior leadership, pursue and secure $6.1 million+ in annual support, in addition to $3 million in capital funding—through strategic donor engagement, a coordinated annual funding initiative, and diversified revenue streams.
•Persuasively communicate the CMA’s vision, direction, and strategy both internally and externally; serve as the primary spokesperson to build enthusiastic commitment, develop key partnerships, and promote the Museum’s collections and programs locally, regionally, and nationally.
•Manage, mentor, and lead a dedicated professional staff; foster a culture of excellence, communication, empowerment, and teamwork across the organization.
•Safeguard the integrity and longevity of the CMA’s collection while developing and delivering world-class exhibitions that meet the highest standards.
•Oversee and optimize the full donor journey along with the Director of Development, including membership structures and CRM systems, ensuring transparent, trust-building communication and stewardship at every phase.
•Actively steward relationships with city, county, and state government officials to maintain, strengthen, and expand financial and strategic support for the CMA’s mission, in partnership with a contract lobbyist and the Board.
•Maximize the use of physical facilities and resources; identify and prioritize opportunities for revenue generation, capital improvements, expansion, and address deferred maintenance.
•Along with the curatorial team, organize, plan, and promote a diverse and dynamic exhibition schedule that broadens audience appeal and aligns with donor and strategic interests.
•Work with the Chief Financial Officer to modernize and automate the CMA’s financial and operating systems to maximize efficiency, transparency, and support effective long-term planning.
•Embed principles of accessibility, inclusivity, and welcome across all facets of the CMA, while cultivating strategic partnerships to expand mission impact and visibility.Candidate Experience and Personal Characteristics
•A minimum of eight years of senior-level leadership experience within a museum, arts nonprofit, or comparable mission-driven institution, with a demonstrated passion for and connection to the visual arts.
•A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience. Master’s degree preferred.
•A record of significant fundraising success, with ability to identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts and grants. Capital campaign experience is highly valued.
•Strategic vision coupled with business and financial acumen, demonstrated through experience developing plans with a Board, managing complex budgets and operations to ensuring fiscal sustainability.
•A record of success in leading people, operations, and facilities, characterized by strong personal integrity, clear priority-setting, and a results-oriented approach to achieving organizational goals.
•Excellent management skills with an ability to attract, retain, and motivate a high-performing staff while fostering a collaborative, professional, and inclusive workplace culture.
•Communication and public engagement skills, with the ability to serve as the primary spokesperson, compellingly advocate for the museum’s mission, and build relationships with diverse stakeholders including donors, government officials, and the media.
•Partnership-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with a Board of Trustees and cultivate strategic alliances with community organizations and government entities to advance institutional goals.
•Knowledge of and a commitment to innovative arts education, community engagement, and the curation of thought-provoking exhibitions and programs that attract and engage broad, diverse audiences.
•Genuine enthusiasm for embracing the unique culture and community of Columbia and South Carolina, and a commitment to deepening the Museum’s local roots while elevating its national profile.
•A commitment to the CMA’s mission and to the vital role of museums as accessible, welcoming institutions that inspire and empower their communities.Research shows that women and individuals from under-represented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.
Compensation
●The salary range for this position is $215,000 – $240,000. Final compensation will reflect seniority and experience; experienced candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
●Comprehensive benefits package.HOW TO APPLY
To apply in confidence, submit application online at https://rcr.li/QZUI by March 27, 2026.
For inquiries or nominations, contact Ken Turino, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Search & Reference, via SearchandRef@museum-search.com.
A complete application should include:
1) A cover letter expressing interest in the position and giving brief examples of past related experience.
2) A résumé.
3) The names and contact information for three professional references able to evaluate your leadership and work, indicating their relationship with you.Applicants are encouraged to apply early as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. Nominations are welcome. All applications and nominations are kept confidential; we will not contact references without your permission. EA/EO. For more details, visit: www.museum-search.com/open-searches.
- The Illinois Symphony Orchestra seeks Director of Development.
Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra in the search for a Director of Development.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development will lead all fundraising efforts for the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, overseeing annual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, and special events to achieve the organization’s contributed revenue goals. The Director will cultivate and steward donors, manage a portfolio of prospects, and serve as a public ambassador at concerts and community events to strengthen the ISO’s visibility and supporter relationships.
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra, under the inspiring leadership of Music Director Taichi Fukumura, is the premier professional orchestra of central Illinois, bringing world-class music to life for more than 40,000 patrons across Bloomington-Normal, Springfield, and surrounding communities. Through an array of symphonic, pops, and chamber orchestra performances, engaging Concerts for Kids, and intimate, immersive experiences such as Sips & Sounds, Around the Town, and Beyond the Stage, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra is redefining what a regional orchestra can be. Its impact extends far beyond the concert hall. Transformative education initiatives including Itsy Arts and Music Matters spark creativity in pre-kindergarten and elementary classrooms, while guest artist residencies and ensemble visits foster meaningful connections with middle schools, high schools, universities, and senior centers, helping to build lifelong relationships with music.
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra is driven by a commitment to artistic excellence and a belief in the transformative and universal power of music. Guided by a vision to be the premier regional orchestra in Illinois, the organization embraces diversity, access, and inclusion in its performances, programs, and practices, while cultivating meaningful engagement through concerts, education, and community partnerships. The orchestra is dedicated to nurturing learners of all ages, fostering collaboration across its organization and the communities it serves, and encouraging innovation both on and off the stage. Through responsible stewardship, long-term planning, and an investment in future generations, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra is building a lasting legacy that strengthens its communities and ensures a vibrant future for the art form.
At least five years of experience is required for this position. The Illinois Symphony Orchestra will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to the ISO, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and the responsibilities and qualifications specified in the position prospectus.
The salary range for this position is $85,000 to $95,000. The Illinois Symphony Orchestra offers a comprehensive package of benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance and generous paid time off. The Director will be expected to spend significant time in both Bloomington-Normal and Springfield.
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or participating in the selection process, please contact Christopher Wingert at chriswingert@aspenleadershipgroup.com.
To apply for this position, visit: https://apptrkr.com/6888433.
- Good Morning
Today’s AJ highlights: Wynton Marsalis has announced he will retire as the head of Jazz at Lincoln Center, ending a 40-year tenure that built the organization into a global powerhouse (The New York Times). The Kennedy Center continues its administrative chaos: its newly hired senior VP of artistic programming has resigned after just a few days, offering no explanation for the sudden exit (The Washington Post (MSN)). The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston announces layoffs of 6% of its workforce to address an “unsustainable deficit” (WBUR (Boston)) , and the Washington Post is described as undergoing an “existential meltdown” under its current CEO (Intelligencer (MSN)).
A major study commissioned by the BBC has urged the broadcaster to rethink “color-blind” casting, warning that audiences view it as “tokenism” and find the accompanying historical storylines “preachy” (Deadline). A revival of American Psycho is grappling with the fact that its protagonist, Patrick Bateman, has morphed from a satire of yuppie greed into a serious role model for the “Andrew Tate manosphere” (The Guardian).
The legal battle over AI has reached a level of discord. Universal Music, Concord, and ABKCO have filed a massive lawsuit against Anthropic, seeking $3 billion in damages for the alleged copyright infringement of over 20,000 song lyrics (Music Business Worldwide).
All the stories we collected today are below.
- Diagnosing King Henry VIII
Over the course of his 38-year reign, he aged from a famously handsome monarch into an overweight, volatile despot. Various explanations, from syphilis to scurvy to psychopathy, have been proposed over the centuries, yet these diagnoses often tell us more about the preoccupations of the time than about Henry himself. – History Today
- BBC Told To Avoid Color-Blind Casting
- Why Is “American Psycho” Popping Up All Over? (And Should We Be Worried?)
In the 35 years since the novel made its bloody splash, there have been a hit movie, a stage musical, and countless memes. Now a remake of the film is in the works, the musical is being revived, and Patrick Bateman is a role model for the Andrew Tate manosphere. – The Guardian
- How Did The Iconic “Infinite Jest” Become A Punchline?
The occasion is a moment to ask how a novel that mourns addiction and venerates humility and patience became a glib cultural punch line, routinely subjected to the word “performative” in its most damning sense. – The New Yorker
- Minneapolis Bookshop Becomes Famous After ICE Murders
Greg Ketter became a social media phenomenon over the weekend, when MS Now aired a video of him pacing half a block away from where Alex J. Pretti had been murdered by agents an hour earlier, cursing the 50-100 armed ICE agents keeping the crowd back. – Publishers Weekly
- The Washington Post Is Imploding
Under Bezos’s leadership, CEO Will Lewis has floated a bunch of proposals to make the company profitable, few of which so far resemble anything people might actually want to buy. – Intelligencer (MSN)
- Music Companies Sue Anthropic For $3 Billion Over Copyright
The companies, including Universal Music Publishing Group, Concord Music Group, and ABKCO Music, are seeking more than $3 billion in potential statutory damages over alleged infringement of more than 20,000 songs. – Music Business Worldwide
- Los Angeles Ballet At 20
For such a large city, L.A. has been a difficult environment for classical dance; before this company, no ballet troupe there had lasted for more than nine years. Artistic director Melissa Barak and executive director Julia Rivera talk with a reporter about how Los Angeles Ballet has lasted and where it’s headed. – Pointe Magazine
- Why Liberal Arts Education May Be More Important In The Age Of AI
A machine will never possess the level of interpersonal skills needed to manage a team, to engage in civil discourse with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds, or to resolve messy human conflicts that resist logic. Judgment will never be AI’s strength. – US News
- We Used To Think That Our Brains Were Our Brains. Now We Know Different
Neuroplasticity therefore reframes the brain as neither rigid nor infinitely malleable, but as a living system shaped by experience, effort and time. – The Conversation
