The dictatorship's censors were all too thorough: scenes were even cut from It's a Wonderful Life — and the doctored version of that film is turning up on television. Same with books. Here's how and why this has happened … - The Guardian
Swimming has been officially banned since 1923. More than two-thirds of all French have a negative perception of the river. And yet when French officials unveiled their ambitions for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris this month, the Seine was treated like a resurrected national monument. - Washington Post
The Council of State, the country's top administrative court, found insufficient justification for prime minister Alexander De Croo's COVID-related order closing theaters, concert halls, and cinemas while leaving restaurants, bars, and Christmas markets open. - Variety
The prevalence of the trauma plot cannot come as a surprise at a time when the notion of trauma has proved all-engulfing. Its customary clinical incarnation, P.T.S.D., is the fourth most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder in America, and one with a vast remit. - The New Yorker
Jackson, 56, earned a doctorate in urban planning from the University of California at Los Angeles, and she’s a professor at Arizona State University and a sought-after speaker on how to embed arts, culture and design into community life. Jackson previously worked at the Urban Institute. - Washington Post
"It's impossible to separate out 'arts issues' and 'arts equity' issues, from the stabilization of our communities," says Michelle Wu. Among her priorities are a dedicated income stream for arts funding, making free admission more widely available, and getting more arts into city neighborhoods. - MSN (The Boston Globe)
Beginning in mid-January, audience members at all performances at the Ahmanson Theater and Mark Taper Forum, as well as those by the Philharmonic and Master Chorale at Disney Hall will have to show proof of booster vaccination status to be admitted. - Yahoo! (Los Angeles Times)
Creatives Rebuild New York is a new initiative that will provide monthly, no-strings-attached payments for up to 2,400 artists with financial need. A second component of the program will fund and facilitate employment for 300 artists at dozens of small-to-mid-size community arts organizations statewide. - Albany Times-Union
The mercantile/community gatherings date back to at least the 14th century, and though they've since spread through much of the world, they're especially dear to Germany (where pandemic-induced cancellations hit very hard). Here's the story of the markets, from prune Zwetschgenmännle to hot Glühwein. - Quartz
On Monday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that £30 million ($40 million) was being added to Arts Council England's Culture Recovery Fund. On Thursday, that amount was raised to £60 million ($80 million), including £1.5 million ($2 million) earmarked for freelancers. - Artnet
Mass entertainment events are no longer a novelty in the once austere kingdom, but there have been reports by local and foreign women that they have faced harassment at them - some of it documented on video. - BBC
Following the lead of the Netherlands and Denmark as the Omicron coronavirus spreads, Belgium is ordering theatres, concert halls, and cinemas to close beginning Monday, Dec. 26. - Variety
The number of performances had the largest upside effect on ticket sales in September, with a 20% increase producing a 9% increase in ticket sales. The price effect also increased a bit, with a 20% price discount increasing ticket sales by 7%.  We expect these trends to continue. - SMU Data Arts
