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- The Robot Fight Clubs Of San Francisco Are Now Having Dance Wars
Yes, this is a thing. – The San Francisco Standard
- Is Arts Criticism A Moral Good?
We no longer argue about whether art as such is a matter of life and death—we assume that it’s not. Consequently, critics aren’t prompted to ask about the political valence of their own activity: Is criticism itself a moral good? – Artforum
- One Of Chicago’s Veteran Music Critics Writes An Opera About His Holocaust-Survivor Mother
In 2019, Howard Reich, longtime jazz critic of the Chicago Tribune, published The Art of Inventing Hope, based on conversations with Elie Wiesel and Reich’s mother’s experiences in WWII Poland. He has now adapted that book into an opera libretto, The Dialogue of Memories, with music by Tom Cipullo. – WTTW (Chicago)
- Potential Strike On London’s West End After Actors Vote
An indicative ballot held by the performing arts union, Equity, was overwhelmingly backed by its membership: 98% voted yes to potential strikes. The result means the union now has the right to have a statutory ballot on taking industrial action. – The Guardian
- Philadelphia Museum Of Art Remakes Its Leadership Team
Daniel Weiss took over as director and CEO in December after the dismissal of former leader Sasha Suda. He has rolled back some of the decisions made during her tenure, including the brief renaming of the museum as the “Philadelphia Art Museum,” or PhAM. And now new leaders in finance and human resources. – Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
- New Zealand To Decentralize Arts Funding, Awarding Most Grants Regionally
The national government’s arts agency, Creative New Zealand, plans to have most funding decisions (excepting international projects and national companies such as the NZ Symphony and Royal NZ Ballet) made by up to 16 independent regional organizations. – The Big Idea (New Zealand)
- Beloved Tenor Limmie Pulliam, 51
His return became one of the most remarkable late-career success stories in American opera. As his voice matured into a true dramatic tenor, Pulliam emerged as a sought-after interpreter of Verdi and other heavyweight repertoire. – Moto Perpetuo
- How Vermont Public Got To Be The State’s Biggest News Organization
In 2022, Vermont Public Radio merged with Vermont Public Television to form a new entity titled simply Vermont Public. The marriage pulled together 57 employees from the radio network and 42 from the TV side and total assets valued at $90 million. It thus became the state’s largest news organization by far. – Valley News (Vermont)
- Seattle Opera Hosts First “Furry” Night
The evening was championed by baritone Christian Pursell, better known in the fandom as Chester the Geroo, who plays Escamillo in Carmen. As far as anyone can tell, this was the first official Furry Night at the opera in history, a genuinely historic moment for the fandom and the city of Seattle. – The Stranger
- Canadian Regulator Says Streaming Services Must Spend 15 Percent Of Revenue On Canadian Content
Large online streaming services must contribute 15% of their Canadian revenues to Canadian content, the country’s federal broadcast regulator said Thursday. That figure is three times the 5% initial contribution requirement the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, CRTC, set out in 2024. – AP News
- Michael Pennington, One Of Britain’s Great Classical Stage Actors, Is Dead At 82
“Over the years with the RSC, the English Shakespeare Company” — which he co-founded — “and beyond, Pennington played most of the leading roles in the canon; … his stage career looked like ‘he drew up a list of the juiciest roles in the classical repertoire and methodically set about ticking them off’.” – The Times (UK)
- Universities Are Canceling Commencement Speakers Who Might Be Controversial
Some students only want people who hold similar views to address them at their graduation. They exercise what free speech law experts call a “heckler’s veto,” meaning when an audience’s reaction, or anticipated response, stops someone from speaking. – The Conversation
- US Homeland Security Puts Out Alert For Comedian Who Created A Satire Website
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has circulated a “Be on the Lookout” alert to law enforcement nationwide, targeting a comedian whose satire of US immigration enforcement went viral. – The Guardian
- Finnish Museum Tries Radical Support Plan For Artists
The museum has committed to supporting four artists over the next several years—P. Staff, Tarik Kiswanson, Jenna Sutela and Eglė Budvytytė—in four distinct ways: acquiring their work throughout the period; financially supporting external production; providing a part-time stipend for a year to alleviate financial pressure; and covering health insurance for a year. – The Art Newspaper
- Owner Of Music For “Peanuts” TV Specials Files Four Copyright Lawsuits, One Of Them Against US Government
“The owner of the Peanuts television and film music catalog is suing multiple entities over the alleged unlawful use of jazz artist Vince Guaraldi’s famous tracks from the “Charlie Brown” franchise. Lee Mendelson Film Productions filed four federal copyright lawsuits, … (one of them against) the U.S. Department of the Interior.” – USA Today
- Chicago Tribune Strikes Last-Minute Agreement To Buy Suburban Paper Daily Herald
The Tribune, owned by finance firm Alden Global Capital, landed the deal to purchase the employee-owned Herald (based in northwestern suburb Arlington Heights) after several full-page ads, an 11th-hour bid and (probably) a premium price. – Chicago Tribune (Yahoo!)
- San Francisco Symphony Didn’t Choose A Star Music Director. They Did Something Better.
Joshua Kosman: “In appointing Elim Chan as its next music director, the San Francisco Symphony has tapped the most inexperienced, unproven new artistic leader the organization has had in more than 40 years. The choice could not have been wiser or more opportune.” – San Francisco Chronicle (MSN)
- Officials Say Congressional Approval To Build Trump’s Triumphal Arch Was Granted 101 Years Ago
“The Trump administration does not plan to seek approval from Congress for President Donald Trump’s planned 250-foot arch, arguing that they do not need it because lawmakers a century ago authorized a somewhat similar project that was never built.” – The Washington Post
- London’s Largest Theatre Operator, ATG, Will Soon Be For Sale: Report
“A decision to go ahead with a sale of ATG Entertainment, previously known as Ambassador Theatre Group, … could value the business at more than £4 billion ($5.38 billion). … ATG Entertainment owns and operates more than 70 venues across the UK, the United States, Germany and Spain.” – Reuters (MSN)
- PBS Station In Rural Illinois Goes Off The Air After Federal Funding Cuts
WEIU, licensed to and based at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, has halted over-the-air broadcasting and become an online-streaming-only station. Now-discontinued federal grants had made up 80% of its budget. – Jacksonville (Illinois) Journal-Courier
- Small-Town Wisconsin Company Wins 2026 Regional Theatre Tony Award
American Players Theatre, located in Spring Green, Wisconsin — a town 40 miles west of Madison, home to roughly 1,500 people and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin — presents nine productions each year in its 1,075-seat amphitheater and 200-seat indoor space. APT’s repertory focuses on “timeless, challenging, poetic texts,” particularly Shakespeare. – Wisconsin Public Radio
- San Francisco Picks its Salonen Replacement
Good Morning,
The San Francisco Symphony finally named a music director — Elim Chan — after the bruising Salonen departure left what once was one of America’s most ambitious orchestras adrift (KQED). Set it in the context of Laurence Vittes’ new report card arguing the field is changing shape, not just shrinking its budgets (Strings).
The day’s other thread is about authenticity. An AI cleared a Turing test for the first time, fooling the judges more often than the real humans did (Neuroscience News). Then it was revealed that a Commonwealth-prize-winning short story is now suspected of being AI-written (The Guardian). Also: AI-voiced pirated audiobooks are flooding YouTube faster than anyone can pull them (The New York Times). The capability isn’t the crisis, the missing chain of attribution is.
A useful counter-fact amid the gloom: adjusted for inflation, West End ticket prices have fallen below 2019 levels (WhatsOnStage). And as machines learn to pass for us, neuroscientists are wiring people up to find where beauty actually lives in the brain (Smithsonian).
See you tomorrow.
Doug
- President & Executive Director – Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO)
Buffalo, NY
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, one of America’s most respected orchestras with a 90+ year legacy of artistic excellence, seeks a dynamic President & Executive Director to lead its next chapter of growth and impact.
Reporting to the Chair of the Board of Trustees and working in close partnership with Music Director JoAnn Falletta, the President & Executive Director serves as the organization’s chief executive, overseeing all artistic, financial, and operational functions. This leader will guide strategy, drive revenue growth, and represent the BPO as its primary ambassador across the region and beyond.Key Responsibilities
• Set and execute a strategic vision in partnership with the Board and Music Director.
• Lead fundraising efforts and cultivate major donor relationships.
• Oversee financial management, operations, and long-term sustainability.
• Inspire and manage a high-performing senior leadership team.
• Expand audiences, earned revenue, and community impact.
• Serve as a visible spokesperson and champion for the BPO.Ideal Candidate
• Proven executive leadership experience, preferably in orchestras or performing arts.
• Strong business and financial acumen, with experience driving growth.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and donor engagement.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to inspire teams and partners.
• Passion for classical music and commitment to community engagement.About the Organization
Founded in 1935, the Grammy Award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is internationally recognized for its artistic excellence, acclaimed recordings, and deep community impact. Under the long-standing leadership of Music Director JoAnn Falletta, the BPO has achieved national prominence through extensive touring, broadcasts, and more than 50 recordings. The Orchestra performs at the iconic Kleinhans Music Hall, widely regarded as one of the finest acoustic venues in the world, and presents a robust year-round season spanning Classics, Pops, Rock, film, and family programming. Serving more than 40,000 patrons annually and reaching over 35,000 students through education and community programs, the BPO is both a cultural cornerstone of Western New York and a driving force in the region’s civic life.
Compensation
Salary Range: $300,000–$350,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications, plus benefits.
To Apply
Please direct inquiries, nominations, and applications to Anissa Conner at aconner@dhrglobal.com.
- Symphony Tacoma seeks Executive Director
Aspen Leadership Group is pleased to partner with Symphony Tacoma in the search for an Executive Director.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will serve as the chief executive and administrative leader of Symphony Tacoma and work in close partnership with the Board of Directors, Music Director, and General Manager to advance the organization’s artistic, financial, and strategic goals to advance the organization’s mission. Reporting to the Board of Directors through the Board President, the ED will be responsible for overall management, financial sustainability, fundraising leadership, organizational culture, and community presence. The successful candidate will be a visionary, collaborative, and results-driven leader with a demonstrated record of success in nonprofit management, preferably in the arts, and a deep commitment to community engagement and cultural vitality.
For 79 years, Symphony Tacoma has been a vital part of Tacoma’s cultural landscape, inspiring audiences through live musical experiences that both honor tradition and push beyond it. Founded in 1946 by 30 volunteer musicians from the University of Puget Sound, the organization was professionalized in 1993 under the leadership of Harvey Felder, now Conductor Laureate. Today, more than 80 professional musicians and a volunteer chorus of 70 perform annually for nearly 20,000 residents across Pierce County and the greater Puget Sound region.
Symphony Tacoma’s core season includes five main-series classical concerts, holiday choral pops, an annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, and educational concerts. Performances are presented primarily at the historic Pantages Theater, where Symphony Tacoma has been a principal resident arts organization for more than 30 years. The orchestra partners with a dynamic range of global soloists and visiting composers, presenting adventurous programming designed to serve and inspire Tacoma’s community. Symphony Tacoma is widely recognized as a flagship musical organization within a vibrant regional ecosystem of professional and community-based ensembles. Symphony Tacoma further engages the community through a trio of education programs—Mini Maestros, Simply Symphonic, and Symphony 2U—as well as through community events designed to expand access to classical music beyond the concert hall. Collectively, these programs serve more than 7,000 people annually, from early childhood through adulthood.
A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least seven years of senior-level experience in nonprofit management is required for this role. Symphony Tacoma will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to the Symphony, 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 Symphony Tacoma and the responsibilities and qualifications specified in the position prospectus.
The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $120,000. Symphony Tacoma offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off, and a 401(k) program with employer match.
Symphony Tacoma is committed to the inclusion of all qualified candidates. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or participating in the selection process, please contact Jeanette Rivera-Watts at jeanetterw@aspenleadershipgroup.com.
To apply for this position, visit: https://apptrkr.com/7178714.
- Universal Music Makes AI Deal With Spotify On New Tool
The new tool will launch as a paid add-on for Spotify Premium users, the companies said on Thursday (May 21), creating what they described as an additional revenue stream for artists and songwriters on top of existing Spotify royalties. – MusicBusinessWorldwide
- Trump Panel Approves Trump Arch
Thursday’s vote by the Commission of Fine Arts, whose job is to vet the design of monuments and other major projects in the capital, represents a key approval as the White House seeks to begin construction. – Washington Post
- AI Passes Turing Test For The First Time
Researchers discovered that when equipped with specific “persona” prompts, advanced models like GPT-4.5 were judged to be human 73% of the time, significantly outperforming actual human participants and fundamentally altering our understanding of machine intelligence. – Neuroscience News
- San Francisco Symphony Picks A Music Director
The appointment is a historic one. Chan will be the first woman to lead one of the so-called “Big 7” symphony orchestras in the United States, encompassing New York, Boston, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Philadelphia. – KQED
- Annabelle Lopez Ochoa: Why I Choreograph
“I choreograph because it is the only language in which I feel completely uninhibited. … Words remain fragile. They can be misinterpreted or fail to capture the depth of what we truly mean. Movement, however, transcends the invisible barriers that divide us — culture, borders, language, religion — and speaks directly to something instinctive.” – Dance Magazine
- Adjusted For Inflation, Ticket Prices In London’s West End Have Actually Fallen Since Pandemic
“In the West End, average ticket prices rose by a nominal 0.92 per cent over the last year. When measured against the annual UK inflation rate of 3.4 per cent, this represents a real-terms price drop of 2.5% for consumers. Compared to 2019, this real-term drop extends to 8.9%.” – WhatsOnStage (UK)
- Was The Off-Broadway Production Of “Titanique” Defrauded By Its Own General Manager?
That’s the allegation in a lawsuit filed by the production company (called Iceberg Ahead LLC) in Virginia against former general manager Carl Flanigan. In March the company won a $4.3 million default judgment against Flanigan, who never responded to the suit. – Broadway Journal
- Paramount’s Credit Rating Gets Further Downgraded After Warner Deal
Currently S&P Global has a “BB+” issuer credit rating on Paramount. On Wednesday, the firm said it will “lower the issuer credit rating on PSKY to ‘BB’ when its acquisition of WBD closes, assuming no material changes to the structure or terms of the transaction. – Variety
- How Does Your Brain Process Beauty?
“Neuroaesthetics is a search to give a value, a quantity, to beauty—to locate it, perhaps, in the brain and in the heart.” – Smithsonian
- The Perils Of Writing With AI When You Don’t Check
My fellow nonfiction writers: AI can be a helpful tool. If you rely on it for factual accuracy you are putting your reputation, your career, your very livelihood in peril. – The AI Humanist
- The Man Who Invented Dinner Theater, William Pullinsi, Has Died At 86
“The founding artistic director of the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse in southwest suburban (Chicagoland), (he was) widely regarded as the founder of dinner theater in America.” – Chicago Tribune (Yahoo!)
