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- Our Feeds Are Products Of Stealth Marketing — And Thus, Mostly Fake
The head of one viral marketing firm says 90 percent of what we see online is advertising. And of course, “the point of this kind of marketing is that nobody is supposed to notice it. But lately, the machinery has started to show.” – Vulture
- Seth Rogen Says If You Want To Use AI To ‘Write’ Your Scripts, You Should Simply Stop Working As A ‘Writer’ And Go Do Something Else
“Every time I see a video on Instagram that’s like, ‘Hollywood is cooked,’ what follows is the most stupid dog shit I’ve ever seen in my life.” – Variety
- Taking Broadway On The Road, But In Baseball
This Tony-nominated actor is finding more theatrical work – and, let’s face it, likely better pay – as a member of the Savannah Bananas, playing a relief pitcher who comes on dressed as, and singing, the Phantom of the Opera. – The New York Times
- The Problem With Venice
If you go to the Biennale, including this year’s intensely controversial edition, “Do you marshal skepticism or let the feelings flow? Whatever your preference, you’ll get a lot of practice.” – The Atlantic
- A Forgotten Medieval Book In Rome Was Hiding A Copy Of The World’s First Poem In English
“Prior to the discovery of the Rome manuscript, the earliest one was from the early 12th century. So this is three centuries earlier than that. And so it attests to the importance that was already being attached to the English in the early 9th century.” – Seattle Times (AP)
- What Happens When The European Fine Art Foundation Comes To Town
“The pursuit of beautiful things is still a magical aspect of our world. … It is much more than finding the right art for your mantelpiece.” – The New York Times
- Police Find Stolen Skull Of Czech Saint Encased In Concrete
The suspect was about to throw the concrete, and the 800-year-old relic inside it, into a river. – Agence France-Presse (The Guardian UK)
- A Playwright Turns Movie Director
Aleshea Harris: “It felt natural and inevitable because I am a very particular playwright. … I already have strong ideas and impulses about not just writing the thing, but helping people to understand.” – The New York Times
- Why Is Hollywood Avoiding Cannes?
Basically? It can’t take the heat: “In theory, attending Cannes should be a no-brainer for major U.S. studios. Talent loves it because of the glamour and global exposure. … This year, however, multiple high level sources said the conglomerates are particularly thin-skinned about the scathing Cannes critics.” – Variety
- When This Young Soprano Died, The Role Of The Queen Of The Night Fell Empty All Over The World
“That sprint of a succession of high notes in such a short time is legendary, which adds a layer of difficulty not only to singing the role but finding a reliable queen.” – The New York Times
- How Tamara Rojo Is Remaking The San Francisco Ballet
“Ballet can be a pretty conservative artform, with many companies trundling out Swan Lakes, Nutcrackers, and Cinderellas year after year. Every now and again, though, someone like Rojo comes along and truly shakes things up – even if that has meant ruffling tutus in the process.” – NPR
- A Popular Pre-Print Publication Will Ban Anyone Who Sends Papers With Evidence Of AI Slop
“If a paper has ‘incontrovertible evidence that the authors did not check the results of LLM generation,’ such as hallucinated references or “meta-comments” left by an LLM, authors will be banned from ArXiv for a year.” The responses have been … er, interesting. – The Verge
- Racists Can’t Handle Having Helen Of Troy Played By One Of The Most Beautiful Women In The World
- Why Are Public Media In Trouble All Over The World?
“The second century of European public media looks less certain than its first as its original competition – from private broadcasters – is eclipsed by heated rivalry from deep-pocketed streaming platforms.” – Irish Times
- Newly Discovered Portraits of Cy Twombly Add Texture To The Life Of The Artist And The Photographer, His Wife
The Twomblys’ granddaughter, Maia, discovered the negatives – and she has a new appreciation of the photographer: “I remember her now not as an 80-year-old woman, but as a 30-year-old. It’s like she is no longer my grandmother but my friend.” – The New York Times
- Lost Your Ability To Enjoy Reading?
Try returning to some things you cared about as a kid. – The Atlantic
- It Took Way Too Long For Art From The Asian Pacific Rim To Gain Interest In Britain
Why? For one thing, “conservation specialists … have been navigating the practical challenge of safely transporting the works across the globe.” – The Guardian (UK)
- Getting younger with the arts
This Week’s Highlights:
Artists this week were busy with the past — and the political forces around them were busy editing it. Davóne Tines’s operatic adaptation of Langston Hughes’s 1931 monologue The Black Clown condenses 300 years of Black American experience into 18 stanzas (Philadelphia Inquirer). Washington National Opera, freshly severed from the Kennedy Center, announced a season featuring a world premiere about Georgia O’Keeffe (The New York Times). And visual artists, in response to AI, are reviving the labor-intensive techniques of the Old Masters (Artnet).
At the same time, the canon is being narrowed by force. Knoxville schools pulled Alex Haley’s Pulitzer-winning Roots from libraries (WATE). Georgia sentenced the renowned bass Paata Burchuladze to seven years in prison for organizing an election-day protest (OperaWire). Pianist Jayson Gillham is suing the Melbourne Symphony for canceling his recital after he dedicated a piece to journalists killed in Gaza (ABC). National pavilions closed across the Venice Biennale to protest Israel’s inclusion (The Guardian).
A quieter finding to close on: participating in the arts is now associated with measurably slower biological aging (The Guardian). The work does something.
All this week’s stories below, organized by topic.
- Gillian Fox shares key strategies to engage the next generation of arts supporters
Gillian Fox, President & CEO of Caramoor, shares strategies to engage the next generation of arts supporters.
- Can We Beat the Lies? All the Lies?<a href="https://www.artsjournal.com/herman/2026/05/can-we-beat-the-lies-all-the-lies.html" title="Can We Beat the Lies? All the Lies?“
- ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BALLET WEST
BALLET WEST, founded in 1963 by Willam Christensen, is one of America’s leading and largest ballet companies. The Company boasts a rich and varied repertoire, elegant and versatile artists and an American style and legacy that is as dynamic, expansive, and unexpected as the Rocky Mountain region it represents. Ballet West has toured the world several times, presenting the very best in American classical ballet. Nearly 100,000 students are served through outreach programs each year, reaching 100% of all Utah school districts. The Company continues to build future ballet artists and audiences by providing classical ballet training through the Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy and its four campuses in downtown Salt Lake City, Pleasant Grove (Utah County), and Park City. With more than 1,000 students, it is the largest ballet and dance school in the Intermountain Region.
Responsibilities
I. Artistic Vision and Leadership
• Serve as the artistic leader of Ballet West. Develop and articulate a clear artistic vision for Ballet West– a vision that is innovative, inspirational, and engaging.
• Co-lead the organization with the Executive Director, consistently communicating purpose and vision to the staff and community.
• Collaborate with Board leadership and senior management to develop plans for achieving artistic and strategic goals. Effectively implement strategic plans adopted by the organization.
• Direct and lead all the artistic and production aspects of Ballet West, including planning seasons that will advance the organization’s mission and build audiences while maintaining fiscal integrity.
• Conceive, oversee, and enhance the high quality of Ballet West productions and the level of training of the dancers in all performances in Salt Lake City and on tour, in lecture demonstrations, and in all promotional activities.
• Select all dancers for the main company, Ballet West II, and the Ballet West Academy Trainee Program; determine retention and non-retention of all dancers in the main company, Ballet West II, and Ballet West Academy Trainee Program.
• Collaborate on and approve promotional and advertising images of Company artists for marketing, press, and social media.
• Serve as Artistic Director of the Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy, fully aligning its work with Ballet West’s mission, vision, and values.
• Further diversity, inclusion, and accessibility through all facets of the organization.
• Oversee the Music Director, collaborating to bring outstanding musical accompaniment to productions featuring the Ballet West Orchestra.II. Artistic Planning and Administration
• Supervise and nurture the professional development of dancers, artistic staff, FQL Ballet West Academy School Director, Education and Outreach Director, and leading production personnel in accordance with Ballet West HR policies including annual performance reviews; follow collective bargaining agreements into which Ballet West has entered.
• Maintain a program plan of no less than three, and ideally five years to assist in planning, budgeting, marketing, and fundraising.
• Participate in annual budgeting process.
• Support Ballet West’s external affairs department with campaigns designed to marketing each company season, tours and the FQL Academy.
• In conformity with Ballet West’s employment and hiring guidelines, goals for increasing diversity, and Board approved budget, oversee and approve the hiring, retention and termination of dancers and other artistic personnel (including, but not limited to, the School Director, Rehearsal Directors, Choreographers, Composers, Conductors, Music Director, FQL Academy faculty, Rehearsal Pianists, Set Designers, Lighting Designers, Costume Designers, etc.)
• Manage the FQL Ballet West Academy Director, ensuring that training is comported to professional standards and promotes ballet and dance in the community:
• Develop, collaborate, and oversee curriculum on ongoing basis.
• Approve teaching methods, syllabus, theory of technique or style of placement.
• Manage and oversee scheduling of classes, rehearsals, and performances with a focus on dancer health, fitness, and well-being.
• Approve all sets, costumes, and lighting designs.III. Advocacy and Relationship Building
• Act as a face of Ballet West and one of the Ballet’s principal voices in the community.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and Board to accomplish fund-raising objectives of the Ballet, especially developing and maintaining key donor relationships.
• Attend all meetings of the Executive Committee of the Board and all meetings of the full Board, reporting on the activities of the Company and, as appropriate, academy and community programs.
• Participate in fundraising, marketing, and promotional activities as requested.
• Take a leading role in forging collaborations and partnerships to increase the visibility and importance of Ballet West.
• In concert with the marketing team, enhance the strength of the Ballet West brand throughout the region.Education and Experience
Extensive experience in ballet performance and rehearsal skills. Overall knowledge of production requirements in all aspects of bringing large scale productions to performance standards.
• Extensive knowledge of ballet, dance, and ballet technique.
• An understanding and respect for stylistic differences and a flexibility in approach to each unique work.
• Good mentoring skills.
• Basic computer and audio equipment skills.Requirements
I. Knowledge and Abilities
• Knowledge of various syllabi, teaching techniques.
• Abilities – choreography, repetiteur.
• Characteristics – patience, intuition, creativity.
• Experience- 10 years of performing and teaching.
• Flexible availability during rehearsal and production periods.
• Ability to solve problems and deal with student emergencies including, but not limited to, injury and illness.
• A passion for working with students of all ages.
• Positive attitude and inspiring presence.
• Sound interpersonal and team building skills.
• Ability to work closely with the artistic, production, and management staff.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.II. Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time. The position may require walking primarily on a level surface for long periods throughout the day and demonstrating/correcting dance steps and choreography. The employee must have visual acuity to read and draft reports, memos, letters, etc. Specific vision and aural abilities required by this job include vision and hearing adequate for the incumbent to perform the responsibilities and functions of the job efficiently. Must be able to speak English and communicate clearly.Background check required after a conditional offer of employment. Ballet West may deny or terminate employment based on background check results, subject to applicable laws.
Interested parties should contact:
Michael M. Kaiser
Chair
DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management
Attention: AJCohen@devosinstitute.netBallet West embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. Ballet West is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against due to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
- The Reinvention Of Washington National Opera
The opera, which announced it was severing its relations with the Kennedy Center as President Trump sought to put his imprint on the institution, said it would produce five full-length operas — including a world premiere based on the life of Georgia O’Keeffe — and three smaller-scale works on five stages across the region. – The New York Times
- How Langston Hughes’s “The Black Clown” Became An Opera
“The magic of creator, lead actor, and bass-baritone Davóne Tines’s operatic adaption of Langston Hughes’s 1931 dramatic monologue The Black Clown lies in its everythingness. (The) poem … consolidates 300 years of the Black American experience into 18 emotional stanzas.” – The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
- The AI Revolution Is Meant To Overwhelm You
I’ve written previously that one of AI’s enduring cultural impacts is to make people feel like they’re losing their mind. But lately, I believe, it’s the accelerated nature of the AI boom that’s driving people everywhere mad. – The Atlantic
- One Of Cuba’s Most Unusual Choreographers Tries To Stay Afloat Amid The Island’s Economic Collapse
“For nearly three decades Cuba’s Danza Voluminosa regularly filled prestigious venues like the 2,000-seat National Theater. Directed by Juan Miguel Mas, the troupe pioneered a new movement by working exclusively with larger-bodied dancers. … (Now) Mas’s daily life has been upended by persistent blackouts, water outages, soaring costs and a lack of transportation.” – AP
- A Rothko Sells For $86 Million
The seller of the 1957 work, “Brown and Blacks in Reds,” was the estate of former Goldman Sachs banker turned art dealer Robert Mnuchin, who paid $6.7 million for the work in 2003. The winning telephone bidder at Sotheby’s was anonymous. – The Wall Street Journal
- The Anti-AI Backlash Is Growing
Even absent any uptick in AI-induced layoffs, the anti-AI sentiment is likely to keep growing. – The Atlantic
- Sorry, But Introspection Is Just An Illusion
There are no such stable beliefs and desires “inside” us that can be observed and reported. Instead, the human mind is a wonderfully fluent, but profoundly deceptive, improviser: spinning stories justifying our thoughts and actions as fast as we ask questions. And these invented explanations are vague, inconsistent, and often provably wrong. – IAI News
- Trial Begins For Murder Of Art Dealer Brent Sikkema, Allegedly By Order Of His Husband
“The estranged husband of a prominent New York City art dealer said he wished his spouse was dead before the co-owner of a contemporary art gallery was found stabbed to death in his Brazilian townhouse, a witness testified Tuesday as a murder-for-hire trial got underway in Manhattan.” – AP
- What Kinds Of Non-Fiction Reporting Wins Pulitzers
If you do look closely at the history, biography, memoir, and general-nonfiction honors, a noticeable pattern emerges. The picks typically share a particular quality. – The Atlantic
- Would Paying Reviewers Help Fix The Peer Review Problem?
“The current system of unpaid reviews undermines the standards of the peer-review process. It produces late reviews and excludes large segments of the research community who cannot afford to work for free. If you have a financial commitment from the reviewer, it creates a lever for expecting quality. Payment creates accountability, not corruption.” – InsideHigherEd
- GenZers Are Going To Movie Theatres: Here’s Why
People born between 1997 and 2012 are now more frequent cinemagoers than some older age groups, according to a US-based survey by Fandango, with 87% having seen at least one film in a cinema in the last 12 months compared with 58% of baby boomers. – The Guardian
- London Museum To Return Old Jain Manuscripts (Though They Aren’t Leaving Britain)
The Wellcome Collection is ceding ownership of more than 2,000 documents, dating from the 15th to 19th centuries, bought from a Jain temple in present-day Pakistan in 1919. Now deeming the purchase of the manuscripts “unethical,” the museum is turning them over to the UK-based Institute of Jainology. – The Telegraph (UK) (Yahoo!)
- Study: Use Of AI Narrows Diversity Of Creativity
A recent preprint study provides evidence that while these tools might boost individual performance, they contribute to an overall reduction in the diversity of ideas across different users. – PsyPost
- Knoxville Removes Alex Haley’s “Roots” From School Libraries
“Roots” is a multi-generational story following the descendants of a man sold into slavery in the United States. It won the Pulitzer Prize and was adapted into a mini-series. There is a statue of Haley in East Knoxville. – WATE
