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Why Is “American Psycho” Popping Up All Over? (And Should We Be Worried?)

In the 35 years since the novel made its bloody splash, there have been a hit movie, a stage musical, and countless memes. Now a remake of the film is in the works, the musical is being revived, and Patrick Bateman is a role model for the Andrew Tate manosphere. - The Guardian

Smithsonian Struggles For Independence As 250th Birthday Celebration Starts

The battle is approaching a tipping point after the Smithsonian acquiesced to an administration demand to hand over documents regarding the types of exhibits it will display for America’s 250th anniversary this summer. - The Hill

Kennedy Center’s New Chief Of Programming Resigns After Just A Few Days

Two Fridays ago, the center announced the appointment of Kevin Couch, who programmed for pop/rock venues in four midsized cities, as the new senior vice president of artistic programming. Last week the center tweeted the news. On Wednesday, with no further comment, Couch confirmed his resignation. - The Washington Post (MSN)

Cash-Strapped Vienna Cuts Its Arts Funding

While the reductions aren’t as severe as in Berlin (€130 million) or France (€150 million), the Austrian capital has withdrawn €5 million from several theaters, including the award-winning Theater an der Wien, €250,000 from the Vienna Philharmonic’s Summer Night Concert, and €1.3 million from the Wien Museum. - The New York Times

Trump Tries To Shift Blame For “Massive Deficit” At Kennedy Center

He posted on Truth Social, referring to cascading cancellations and plummeting ticket sales, “People don’t realize that The Trump Kennedy Center suffered massive deficits for many years and, like everything else, I merely came in to save it and, if possible, make it far better than ever before!” - The Daily Beast

National Parks Pull Historical Signs And Displays To Comply With New Trump Directives

Trump officials have ordered national parks to remove dozens of signs and displays related to climate change, environmental protection and settlers’ mistreatment of Native Americans in a renewed push to implement President Donald Trump’s executive order on “restoring truth and sanity to American history.” - Washington Post

Understanding The Trade In Culture Between The US And Canada

In 2023, the United States accounts for roughly two-thirds of all cultural exports ($18.1 billion, or 67%) and imports ($22.2 billion, or 62%). Canada had a $4.2 billion trade deficit with the USA in 2023. - Statistical Insights on the Arts

The UK Has Announced £1.5B Investment In The Arts. So…

A £1.5 billion investment is welcome news for a sector buffeted by years of austerity and inflation (not to mention the long tail of pandemic shutdowns). But the devil is in the detail, as ever, and the wider context: definitions of “infrastructure” beyond the landmarks, and its relationship to cultural workers. - The Conversation

Salman Rushdie On Violence And Culture

“For the authoritarian, culture is the enemy,” he added. “The uncultured and ignorant and tyrannical don’t like it. And they take steps against it, which we see every day.” - The Guardian

Portland’s Theatrical Future Thrown Into Doubt After New Study

The 3,000-seat Keller Auditorium is seismically challenged. Should the city rebuild it, support the new Portland State University Broadway-show-size theatre, or make a third choice? A new study says the city’s population can’t support both. - Oregon ArtsWatch

The Thing Is, Computers Can Only Copy

Software can’t surprise us the way humans can. - Aeon

Spanish Prosecutors Drop Investigation Into Julio Iglesias For Sexual Assault

"They ruled that Spanish courts had no jurisdiction and were therefore not competent to investigate crimes committed abroad involving complainants who were not Spanish citizens or residents and who had never travelled to Spain with the star." - BBC

A Call For ‘Equal Time’ Could Have A Chilling Effect On US TV And Radio

"It’s the Trump White House’s latest salvo against the network late night talk show hosts, primarily Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers and Jimmy Kimmel, who pound away at President Trump nightly in their monologues and offer ample airtime to his political opponents.” - Los Angeles Times

At The Academy Museum, There’s No More Oral History Project Staff

The museum’s union calls the cuts "a sad and reckless choice.” - Los Angeles Times (MSN)

Wait, How Exactly Did Heated Rivalry Become A Hit In Russia?

“The popularity of the show has prompted calls in Russia to purge it from the internet.” - Washington Post (MSN)

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