The board chairman knows a thing or two about governmental overreach. “‘Our community is based on diversity, equity is guaranteed to us in the Constitution, and inclusion is what we believe in,’ Fujioka said.” - Los Angeles Times (MSN)
“Prior to the Arts Access Fund, there were 31 full-time arts teachers and educators serving K-5 students across Portland schools,” Dawn Isaacs, the City of Portland’s arts education coordinator said in a press release in December. “In the 2023-24 school year, there were 111. That increase is directly related to the Arts Access Fund.” - The Oregonian
The latest economic impact study of arts and culture throughout the United States: Arts and culture sectors contributed $1.2 trillion to the United States economy in 2023. ACPSA is produced jointly by the National Endowment for the Arts’ Office of Research and Analysis and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Commerce Department. - Broadway News
The proposed reforms go far beyond universities and hospitals, calling on Congress to use the following means to eviscerate section 501(c) of the federal tax code, which gives tax-exempt status to nonprofits: - Chronicle of Philanthropy
“Underneath this genteel surface are bitter divisions that erupted just as the institution struggled to recover from the worst event ever to happen on its campus, when Salman Rushdie was nearly killed onstage. … Chautauqua’s culture of agreeable disagreement failed. Some wonder if it can be reclaimed.” - The New York Times
Thousands of cultural groups are receiving a “Notice of Grant Termination” which reads, in part, “Your grant no longer effectuates the agency's needs and priorities and conditions of the Grant Agreement and is subject to termination. … Your grant's immediate termination is necessary to safeguard the interests of the federal government." - NPR
“U.S. District Judge William Smith acknowledged that plaintiffs ‘demonstrated a likelihood of success,’ … but because the NEA had rescinded the requirement about a week after the lawsuit was filed, Smith said an ‘injunction is not in the public interest at this time.’” - AP
Like Battersea, Barcelona’s plant is set to undergo a radical transformation into the new Catalunya Media City—a cutting-edge hub for digital arts, technology, and education. - Fast Company
“(He) has served as a museum director, educator and historian — positions in which he has demonstrated a skill for diplomacy. But perhaps no amount of charm or discretion can help him avoid the fight he now faces over the direction of the Smithsonian Institution, the cultural behemoth he stewards.” - The New York Times
“The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to create (the district) to boost the visibility of the arts scene in a corridor of downtown that includes the Broad museum, Center Theatre Group, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera, REDCAT and the Colburn School.” - Los Angeles Times (Yahoo!)
Kevin Young, who succeeded founding director Lonnie Bunch (now secretary of the entire Smithsonian) in 2021, has been on personal leave for an “undetermined period” since March 14 — two weeks before Trump’s notorious “improper ideology” executive order, which explicitly cited the African-American Museum. - The Washington Post (MSN)
“On Tuesday morning, managers told staff members that DOGE had recommended reductions in staff of as much as 70 to 80 percent (of approximately 180 people), as well as ... a cancellation of all grants made under the Biden administration that have not been fully paid out.” - The New York Times
I’d argue that the reason might have gone beyond a commitment to equity, diversity and social justice. It might have been an investment in the future of art forms championed by the center that have long seen a decline in new audiences and were becoming known for attracting older white crowds. - Los Angeles Times
It's been almost two months since the Eaton Fire destroyed thousands of homes in Altadena, including several noted historic and cultural landmarks like this one, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. - NPR
Alex Mahon told MPs that if the government pursues its proposed plan to give AI companies access to creative works unless the copyright holder opts out, it would put the UK creative industries in a “dangerous position”. - The Guardian
