ArtsJournal (text by date)

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  • The Italian Palazzo Where Broken Voices And Vocal Techniques Get Repaired

    Marianna Brilla and Lisa Paglin spent years in Italy studying old vocal treatises and historical recordings to find the roots of bel canto technique. Now they run the New Voice Studio, where they combat the opera world’s obsession with power and volume, teaching instead “spontaneity, beauty, and freedom.” – El País (Spain) (in English)

  • The Grass Roots Activists Fighting For The Right To Read

    “This is who the Fifth Circuit is harassing: a mom of four with a Diet Coke in her hand, doing this while her kids are at school. This fight is everyone’s—it belongs to every individual American.” – Publishers Weekly

  • Beirut, Once The Arab World’s Publishing Capital, Struggles To Keep Its Book Culture Alive

    Before Lebanon’s long civil war, authors from all over the Arab world published in liberal Beirut the books they couldn’t release in their own countries. Now, decades of conflict in Lebanon have led to both government censorship and self-censorship, while bookstores and readers cope with prolonged political and financial crises. – New Lines Magazine

  • In Xi’an, Anywhere You Dig, There’s History

    Some estimate that the city’s subterranean history could stretch back 1 million years, with early human settlement from the Lantian Man and walled settlements already visible during the Yangshao period 7,000 years ago. – Artnet

  • Just How Can You Make Theatre In Ukraine During a War?

    They have brothers and fathers in the war; they have family members cut off from them in the occupied Donbas. At one rehearsal, an actress apologized for being late; she had just heard that a friend from drama school had been killed at the front. – The New York Times

  • The Remarkable Adji Cissoko

    Over more than a decade with Lines, Cissoko has become such a part of King’s creative process that it’s now almost impossible to know the dancer from the dance, as the poet Yeats put it.  – San Francisco Chronicle (MSN)

  • A Librarian Recounts A Moment That Makes Her Very Difficult, Now-Very Controversial Job Worth It

    “Libraries are enduring book bans, mental health crises, drug overdoses, and more” — including accusations of peddling pedophilie porn — “as we try to provide resources and assistance far beyond our means, both fiscally and emotionally.” Yet, writes Katie Walsh, moments like this one with a young teen reader make up for it all. – Slate (Yahoo!)

  • National Parks Staff Are Removing Information About Slavery

    Trump’s March executive order directing the Interior Department to eliminate information that reflects a “corrosive ideology” that disparages historic Americans. National Park Service officials are broadly interpreting that directive to apply to information on racism, sexism, slavery, gay rights or persecution of Indigenous people. – Washington Post

  • North Dakota Columnist Who Wrote Famous Review of Olive Garden Dies At 99

    In the review, she famously wrote in praise of the chain’s chicken Alfredo as “warm and comforting on a cold day.” “As I ate, I noticed the vases and planters with permanent flower displays on the ledges,” she wrote. “There are several dining areas with arched doorways. And there is a fireplace that adds warmth to the decor.” – Seattle Times (AP)

  • The Art-Of-Endurance Artists

    The subject has grown rarer as the art world has gotten more commercial, but there are still people who immerse themselves in projects that take years and sometimes decades to complete, assuming they have any end date at all. – The New York Times

  • Choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui Is Working Out The Cultural Divisions Within His Homeland And Within Himself

    “I thought the (wider) world was so interesting (when I was young), and outside was where I could breathe. I think the world I was coming from was not one in which I could survive. As a queer, white Arab (in Belgium), everything about me was problematic for my environment.” – The Guardian

  • Rise Of The AI-And-I Essay

    Call the genre the AI-and-I essay. Between April and July, the New Yorker published more than a dozen such pieces: essays about generative AI and the dangers it poses to literacy, education, and human cognition. Each had a searching, plaintive web headline. – n+1

  • The Trump Administration’s Plan To Change How UCLA Is Run

    The Trump administration’s settlement proposal to UCLA — which includes a nearly $1.2-billion fine over allegations of antisemitism and civil rights violations — seeks to drastically overhaul campus practices on hiring, admissions, sports, scholarships, discrimination and gender identity. – Los Angeles Times

  • How Robert Redford Changed How The Film Industry Worked

    “When I started the Institute, the major studios dominated the game, which I was a part of,. I wanted to focus on the word ‘independence’ and those sidelined by the majors — supporting those sidelined by the dominant voices. To give them a voice. – Los Angeles Times

  • Royal Shakespeare Co. Starts Major Staff Buyouts (With Layoffs To Follow)

    “A spokesperson said the number eligible for voluntary redundancy was 420 of its (835) permanent employees, as part of a programme running until October 5, following which compulsory redundancies will begin.” – The Stage

  • Money Struggles And Retrenchment Plague Regional Theaters — But Not Milwaukee Rep

    Chris Jones has a look at the company’s three-theater headquarters, which has just undergone an on-time, on-budget $80 million renovation, and at the programming and engagement strategies which help maintain Milwaukee Rep’s growing audience base and healthy finances. – Chicago Tribune (Yahoo!)

  • Why Suppressing The Photo Of An Enslaved Man’s Whipped Back Is A Horrifying Idea

    Philip Kennicott: “If you can erase ‘The Scourged Back,’ if you can erase … any one of the millions of enslaved people who suffered similar torments or worse, then you can erase anything, and nothing will trouble the American conscience ever again.” – The Washington Post (Yahoo!)

  • San Francisco Symphony Musicians’ New Contract Hits The $200K Mark

    The agreement, retroactive to Nov. 24, 2024 and ending on Nov. 20, 2027,  maintains the starting weekly base salary of $3,450, with biannual increases which rise to $3,960 (making an annual minimum salary of $205,920) in the last six months of the contract. – Riff Magazine (San Francisco)

  • Polluted Air Is Leaving Black Crust All Over Delhi’s Red Fort

    “Fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide in the capital’s air are accelerating the decay of the sandstone fort, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Researchers … found black crusts up to half a millimetre thick on some walls.” – The Independent (UK)

  • Louvre Discontinues Tours Guided By Nintendo 3DS

    “For the past decade, visitors to the Louvre could rent a Nintendo 3DS console for personalized tours, audio commentary and additional information about more than 700 artworks at the famed Paris museum. Now, the Louvre is getting rid of the handheld gadgets” — because Nintendo has stopped making them. – Smithsonian Magazine

  • Agreement Is Near On Keeping TikTok Available In U.S.

    In 2024, due to data security concerns, Congress passed legislation requiring the Chinese company ByteDance to either sell TikTok to an American owner or withdraw the app from the U.S. market. Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping will reportedly speak on Friday to finalize a deal. – AP

  • A Training Regime Designed To Strengthen Feet For Pointe Work

    Working with a physician and several dancers, Lynne Charles (who had a 35-year-career as a principal ballerina) developed 4Pointe, a somatic method to strengthen specific muscles for pointe work. “It’s not meant to replace traditional pointe class,” she stresses. “It’s meant to go hand-in-hand alongside it, like Pilates or Gyrotonic.” – Pointe Magazine

  • What About Those Works Of Art That Aren’t Bestsellers?

    Headlines focus on that tiny segment of the arts that garners extraordinary numbers (whether readers, audience members, or dollars). The lucky writers and performers are ultimately discovered and rewarded with untold riches and rewards. But what about those creative people—many quite talented, a few geniuses—who struggle to have their work recognized? – Nightingale Sonata

  • What’s Happened To Cultural Institutions In Russian-Occupied Mariupol

    “In the months and years since the siege that destroyed it, the city has been turned into a showcase of the concept of the ‘Russian world’ — an idea of Russia as encompassing nations in its former sphere of influence — and an exemplary model of forced Russification.” – The Dial

  • Des Moines Metro Opera Under Fire For Working Conditions

    It sounds like boot camp. An 89.5 hour workweek. Back to back 14 hour days. Overtime pay a rarity (and lack thereof legally sanctioned). Working in a warehouse where temperatures exceeded 100. Bullying. – Broadway World

  • Five Countries Say They’ll Boycott Eurovision Contest If Israel Is Allowed To Compete

    Israel’s recent participation has been a divisive issue in Europe and its broadcasting community ever since Israel began its military campaign in Gaza Strip in late 2023. – Deadline

  • Cleveland’s Ideastream Public Media Gets $1 Million Gift For Dedicated Jazz Studio

    “Since its launch in February 2024, (the station’s) JazzNEO (channel) has been operating without a dedicated studio and airing all pre-recorded programming. The new state-of-the-art space will allow for live hosting, interviews, and live jazz performances.” – Inside Radio

  • Executive Director, Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach

    LOCATION: Palm Beach, FL (in-person)
    INFORMATION: cmspb.org

    BACKGROUND

    Under the extraordinary artistic leadership of Arnaud Sussmann, the Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach (CMSPB) is known for performances and educational programs of the highest artistic merit. Since 2013, CMSPB has presented over 150 artists, from the eminent Emerson String Quartet to acclaimed violinists James Ehnes and Pinchas Zuckerman and pianists Anne-Marie McDermott and Inon Barnatan. CMSPB is a presenting partner of the Boscobel Chamber Music Festival in Garrison, New York, currently in its fourth season. The festival has brought top-tier musicians and compelling repertoire, as well as open rehearsals and special opportunities for children and families to engage with chamber music programs. CMSPB’s Rising Artists program is an immersive residency for emerging international musicians that pairs them with experienced mentors and artists in the chamber music field while offering performance, career development, and educational opportunities.

    CMSPB concerts are more than entertainment; they are a place for intellectual growth and community engagement through the power of chamber music. CMSPB’s educational programs have provided students access to masterclasses and intimate in-school performances by internationally renowned artists and teachers. Through its work, CMSPB promotes a greater understanding and appreciation of chamber music and enhances the cultural life of Palm Beach.

    POSITION

    The incoming executive director will set the future direction for the organization at this exciting moment of growth. The ED’s charge includes working closely with board members and the Artistic Director to define a strategic plan encompassing organizational growth and development, external relations, financial and operational sustainability, and programming. The ideal candidate is a compelling and visionary leader with a proven ability to inspire motivated teams, forge effective partnerships, and drive sustainable growth.

    RESPONSIBILITIES

    Strategic Leadership

    • Collaborate with the Artistic Director and board members to shape the future of the Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach, including finalizing the organization’s strategic plan and setting targets for desired impact.
    • Communicate the vision for the CMSPB so that all internal and external stakeholders understand the organization’s primary goals and know how their work and partnership contribute to making them a reality.
    • Grow the organization’s reach, visibility, programs, and budget.
    • Set clear, measurable goals to sustain and grow CMSPB’s influence and presence locally and nationally.
    • Nurture existing and new relationships with external partners, including corporate sponsors, concert venues, and community organizations, in order to expand CMSPB’s reach and programs.

    Fundraising and External Relations

    • Work with fundraising consultants and the board of directors to ensure that CMSPB continues to have a comprehensive and successful fundraising plan.
    • Serve as a compelling and engaging spokesperson, with the ability to succinctly and clearly discuss CMSPB’s work and inspire an appreciation for chamber music in all audiences.
    • Identify, strengthen, and sustain relationships with a variety of partners and stakeholders, including funders, community partners, performers, and other chamber music presenters; be a visible and engaging presence in the Palm Beach and regional social and donor community.
    • Continue to articulate CMSPB’s unique identity and expand recognition of CMSPB, both locally and nationally, as a leader in presenting chamber music.

    Financial and Operational Leadership

    • Develop and oversee the implementation of the infrastructure and team needed to grow the organization and support CMSPB’s programs and strategic goals.
    • Develop and oversee the implementation of a competitive, comprehensive employee benefits program to attract and retain top talent.
    • Ensure that the CMSPB has a positive, collaborative culture that attracts and retains staff, provides opportunities for professional development, and operates according to HR best practices.
    • Ensure the organization’s finances are healthy, sustainable, and managed according to best practices.

    Board Relations

    • Work closely with an engaged and active board to determine and evaluate the strategic direction for the organization.
    • Develop strong relationships with each board member, ensuring their contribution to the organization is aligned with their interests and organization’s needs.
    • Partner with the current board to attract, engage, and retain new board members who can help the organization realize its mission and vision.
    • Help strengthen the board’s systems and structures to maximize impact.

    Experience – Required

    • Significant executive leadership experience in a similar or related organization
    • Track record of setting a vision and bringing the vision to life in collaboration with an engaged board, staff, and other stakeholders
    • Deep level of comfort being the primary external representative with media, donors, and partners
    • Hands on experience with fundraising and building strong relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders
    • Strong experience setting the vision for organizational excellence, including the development of the staff structure and budget needed to implement the systems and structures that will make that vision a reality
    • Prior work developing and managing a board of trustees
    • Experience setting and managing budgets and revenue streams
    • A personal or professional connection to/passion for chamber music

    Experience – Preferred

    • Prior experience working in or with a chamber music, classical music, or performing arts organization
    • Connection to and/or some prior understanding of the Palm Beach/Southern Florida area and audience

    Personal Attributes

    • Entrepreneurial mindset; strong business sense
    • Commitment to CMSPB’s mission with a deep interest in and passion for live music presentation (classical music specifically), as well as community outreach and education
    • Ability to operate at a high strategic level while being grounded in the work of the team
    • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage successfully with the Palm Beach community
    • Emotional intelligence and natural ability to engage with diverse audiences, including staff, board members, partners, funders, and community members in Palm Beach and beyond

    To apply, lease send cover letter and resume as one PDF to CMSPBED@pbrsearch.com with subject line “AJ – CMSPB Position” and attachment format “Last Name First Name – Letter Resume” and complete the Voluntary Self Identification form you will receive in response. This will assist us in improving our hiring practices and ensuring equal opportunities. Participation is voluntary and will not affect your candidacy in any way.

    Compensation

    • Anticipated salary is $175K – $200K, commensurate with qualifications and experience
    • Comprehensive benefits package

    Frequently cited statistics show that women and people from underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they think they meet 100% of the criteria. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, the Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach encourages you to apply.

    The Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. The Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

    MORE

  • YouTube Says It Has Paid $100B To Creators In The Past Four Years

    “Twenty years ago, YouTube launched with the idea that everyone should have the opportunity to create and find a global stage. Since then, we’ve seen creators shape culture and entertainment in ways we never thought possible.” – Deadline

  • Is The Literary World Reforming Around Substack?

    The digital froth of the 2010s—BuzzFeed, Upworthy, the ceaseless click-baiting and SEO-hunting—could be understood as a Bronze Age, and we are now after the fall, in a new era we can’t quite name yet. Literary prestige, for one, has never meant less. – Ross Elliot Barkan

  • Not Just The Humanities: Conspiracy Theorists Are Attacking Physics

    In recent years, a group of YouTubers and podcasters have attracted millions of viewers by proclaiming that physics is in crisis. The field, they argue, has discovered little of importance in the last 50 years, because it is dominated by groupthink and silences anyone who dares to dissent from mainstream ideas, like string theory. – The Wall Street Journal

  • Trump Administration Orders National Park To Remove Historic Photograph Of Enslaved Man’s Scarred Back

    “The Trump administration has ordered the removal of signs and exhibits related to slavery at multiple national parks, according to four people familiar with the matter, including a historic photograph of a formerly enslaved man showing scars on his back.” – The Washington Post

  • Traditional Dictionaries Are Dying Even As Interest In Words Soars

    Definitions, professional and amateur, are a click away, and most people don’t care or can’t tell whether what pops up in a search is expert research, crowdsourced jottings, scraped data, or zombie websites. – The Atlantic

  • Two Blockbuster Collections To Open Sotheby’s New Home

    They are “an estimated $400 million trove amassed by Leonard Lauder, chairman emeritus of the Estée Lauder, and an estimated $80 million collection from the Chicago billionaires behind the Pritzker Architecture Prize.” – The Wall Street Journal

  • Is Living “One Day At A Time” Really A Good Idea?

    In some recovery programs, “one day at a time” is a mantra. This is a little like what E. L. Doctorow said about being a novelist: Writing a novel “is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” – The New Yorker