The Taliban’s stance on music forbids people from enjoying and participating in cultural activities, and violates the UN International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. - The Conversation
The purpose of the Paycheck Protection Program was to let businesses hobbled by the pandemic retain their employees. An AFSCME study found that, out of 7,500 eligible cultural institutions, 228 large ones got $771 million, half the total — and let go of 28% of their staff. - Hyperallergic
“These crises are emerging out of environmental challenges and social justice challenges that are very present. Going back to business as usual is going to sound unconvincing.” - The Art Newspaper
In a Q&A, two senior executives at Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) say that they no plans to reduce the newspaper's seven-days-per-week print schedule and that, far from imposing layoffs, they expect to hire 40 to 50 new staffers. - Medill Local News Initiative
It is a series of meditations on the social role of art, the sometimes dysfunctional structures of the cultural sector, and the effect that unexpected, horrific loss – and the necessity of moving past it – can have on a person, a community, and the art created in response. - ArtsFuse
"After months of struggling with an income from 50% houses the Council of Ministers has decided that theatres, cinemas, and cultural venues in the white zones (and currently all of Italy is in that category), can augment their capacity to 100%." - Gramilano (Milan)
Pauline Kael would be appalled at the spectacle of film writing nowadays. Journalists meet actors and gasp in awe. The wise editor has given up on demanding hacks ask good questions, and just invites actors to interview other actors. - The Spectator
This is the puzzle of Princeton: How can an institution designed to serve the aspirations of an elite few authentically wrestle with issues of inequality and racism in society? - The Atlantic
Sure, some of that was people searching for news about Facebook's outage. However: "For a whopping five-hours-plus, people read news, according to data Chartbeat gave us this week from its thousands of publisher clients across 60 countries." - Nieman Lab
Absolutely, we do. "Some of the failings of AI may be unintentional, but they are serious and they disproportionately affect already marginalized individuals and communities." - Wired
The comedian has often told transphobic jokes, and the streamer's workers are fed up. Software engineer Tara Field "tweeted a grim and long list of trans people who were 'not offended' by Chappelle’s comments — because they died in transphobic attacks before The Closer was released." - Los Angeles Times
The fall of Rome in 476 is a historical turning point that was invented nearly 50 years later as a pretext for a devastating war. The fact that it has since become recognized as the end of an epoch shows how history can be misused to justify otherwise unpalatable actions in the present. - Time
Alejandro Zaera-Polo, having been pushed out as dean of Princeton's architecture school in 2014, was dismissed from the faculty by unanimous vote of the relevant committee. He proceeded to compile an 813-page document and five hours of video making his case — and justifying Princeton's decision. - Curbed
The unanimous vote by members of the IATSE local comes more than a year after the expiration of their previous contract. Still at issue, say union reps, are staffing levels and pay, including overtime. Management claims the sides are not far apart. - MSN (The Washington Post)