Ben Davis: “I think it’s important for NEA advocates to actually understand the spectrum of arguments ranged against them, and not rely on dated or off-target counter-arguments. So I thought I would put down, here, replies to each of Heritage’s “Ten Good Reasons to Eliminate Funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.” - Artnet
Trump appointed Todd Blanche, his former defense lawyer, as librarian of Congress after abruptly firing Carla Hayden. Library staff resisted, insisting Congress must be involved and barring two other Justice Department officials chosen by Blanche from entering the agency’s headquarters. - The New York Times
For decades, there has been a nationwide artistic and cultural infrastructure receiving bipartisan support, including through the first administration of Donald Trump. Now that is changing — and drastically. - ABC News
The timing was extraordinary: the office had released a report just two days earlier (on Friday, May 9), concluding that many current AI training practices likely exceed the boundaries of fair use. No matter your politics, there are two sides to this story. - Shelly Palmer
“Right now, there are no education goals for the country,” said Arne Duncan, who served as President Barack Obama’s first secretary of education after running Chicago’s public school system. “There are no metrics to measure goals, there are no strategies to achieve those goals and there is no public transparency.” - The New York Times
Shira Perlmutter had been hired by also recently fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. The firing came two days after Perlmutter’s office released a report saying AI training may not be fair use. - Seattle Times (AP)
“The Trump anti-Midas touch is in operation here, and now everything is worse. Not only are ticket sales down, but donations have been paused, artists are pulling out. All of the spigots for money have slowed or have been turned off.” - Slate
“Although some arts organizations appear poised to survive the loss of NEA money, they nonetheless feel existentially frightened by the general turn of the political culture away from diversity and toward authoritarianism.” - The Guardian (UK)
“Several people characterized the reaction among the remaining Kennedy Center staff as a collective eye roll to the fundraiser and subsequent boycott, even as employees continue to fear for their jobs.” - Washington Post (Yahoo)
The charitable tax deduction is distorting American philanthropy. It doesn’t just shape where dollars go; it also warps the way that nonprofits behave. Let’s find out what the Met Gala looks like without the federal government as a silent sponsor. - The New York Times
The ACI is a mechanism, introduced to prevent foreign countries from using trade policy to interfere with European democracy, that gives the EU broad powers to retaliate against international companies, and could be used to restrict or block U.S. media companies access to European markets, including exploiting their IP rights here. - The Hollywood Reporter
This year, the list includes not only buildings, but entire communities, such as a smattering of islands off Florida's northwest coast. Cedar Key was renowned for its Old Florida charm. A historic fishing village that bears its name was devastated by Hurricane Helene in 2024. - NPR
“Chicago Public Schools officials on Wednesday announced a plan aimed at increasing the quality of arts instruction by establishing a comprehensive arts curriculum and a data-driven system to measure effectiveness of teaching.” - WBEZ (Chicago)
“According to governmental documents posted online, Trump has nominated Mary Anne Carter to reassume her post as NEA head, a position she left in 2021 when Joe Biden became President.” - ARTnews
Ric Grenell, reacting Wednesday to headlines about cast members of Les Misérables who are planning to boycott President Donald Trump’s scheduled appearance next month, demanded career-altering consequences for “vapid and intolerant artists.” - The Daily Beast
