ArtsJournal: Arts, Culture, Ideas

ISSUES

DC’s Arts Council Shifts $5.3 Million From Large To Small Institutions

"The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities has dramatically reshaped the way it supports Washington's arts community by directing significant increases to the city's small and midsize arts organizations and making steep cuts to almost two dozen major institutions." - The Washington Post

Fears Of Calamity For Culture In Afghanistan As Taliban Take Control

When it controlled the country before 2001, the hardline Islamist group was infamous for banning music, TV, film, and most visual art — not to mention the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas. The Taliban say they've moderated since then, but many are doubtful — and scared. - The Week

Posthumous Art: The Ethics Of Releasing Works By Dead Creators

"They may be unfinished, never meant for wide release, or completed by someone else. That work is then attributed to the deceased, but should it be? Philosophers Sondra Bacharach and Deborah Tollefsen explore that question, and the answer is a resounding: it's complicated." - JSTOR Daily

The Great Cultures Of Africa During Europe’s Dark Ages

Suffice it to say that while Europe was experiencing its Dark Ages – a period of intellectual, cultural, and economic regression from about the 6th to 13th centuries – Africa was experiencing great civilization. - Amentii

Why Do So Many People Get Master’s Degrees These Days, And Are They Worth The Thousands They Cost?

Not only is the master's degree the quintessential example of a bureaucratic credential — drably functional and frequently deeply pointless — but much of its growth has been in fields that are themselves explicitly bureaucratic," writes William Deresiewicz. And then there are MFAs … - New York Magazine

Time To Re-Question The Idea Of Cultural Appropriation?

The very concept of “cultural appropriation” is misbegotten. As I’ve previously argued, it wrongly casts cultural practices as something like corporate intellectual property, an issue of ownership. - The New York Times

New Zealand Goes Into Full Lockdown

After months with no restrictions and no locally transmitted cases of COVID, the appearance of one new patient has prompted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to close all performances, museums, film and TV production, and most businesses for three days (seven in Auckland). - AP

How Universities Get To Define The Universe

Universities, more than any other institution, shape our conception of what constitutes worthwhile knowledge. Therefore, if we want philosophy to thrive in the contemporary university, we will need to clearly articulate a very different vision of what a university is for. - The Point

What The Pandemic Did For Arts Organizations

Yes, it was devastating - and it also opened up the arts to many who couldn't access them before. How do we keep shows relevant and accessible to all? - FastCompany

The Future Of Live Events Is Hybrid

At least, according to the Edinburgh Book Festival's director, who says, "One thing is for certain, we are not going back to the festivals of 2019." - BBC

The Recovery Of The Mouse

In case you were worried, Disney's doing much better now, which is possibly a good sign for the economy. - Los Angeles Times

London’s Southbank Centre Names New Artistic Director

Mark Ball, currently Creative Director of the Manchester International Festival, will be directing the programming at the British capital's equivalent of Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center. - Arts Professional (UK)

Lonnie Bunch Introduces Smithsonian’s New Initiative On Racial Reckoning

"Beginning with a national summit on August 26, a series of integrated events — from conferences to town halls to immersive pop-up experiences — are designed to spark conversations nationally, regionally, locally, and among friends and family." - Smithsonian Magazine

A Smaller Edinburgh Fringe Festival — Is It Better?

For some in a city with a population of only around 500,000, a break from the Fringe last year, followed by a much smaller festival this year — one that doesn’t clog up roads and sidewalks, or cause short-term rents to skyrocket — has been welcomed. - The New York Times

Is Cancel Culture Stifling Comedy? In A Word, No.

"If the 'wokeism is killing comedy' crew are motivated by a genuine devotion to great comedy, then they can relax, because it is in rude health when it comes to risk-taking, boundary-pushing content." - The Guardian

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