The city argues that its new method of funding organizations creates a more equitable process to sustain the city’s myriad creative centers. But many of Portland’s smaller arts organizations say the shift in who decides their funding has led to the exact opposite result, leaving them less money for the following year than expected. - Willamette Week
"This is a troubling turn of events, particularly for the arts, where nonprofit organizations are prominent players in the form of museums, alternative art spaces, galleries, and even some publications, not to mention institutions of higher education. If it passes, will this bill muffle artistic expression? My guess is yes." - Hyperallergic
This legislation would allow the Secretary of the Treasury to designate section 501(c) nonprofits as “terrorist supporting organizations” at the Secretary’s discretion, without requiring the Secretary to share their full evidence or reasoning with accused nonprofits. - Non-Profit Quarterly
In many ways the cultural legacy of the first Trump administration was more visible in backlash and protest. But it’s possible the second time around, the impact will be an affirmative one. - The New York Times
"Overall, Berlin is slashing its cultural funding budget by around €120 million ($127 million), or about 12%. The budget for 2025 will now be around €1.2 billion. For weeks now, theatres (and other organizations) have been warning of insolvency, restrictions in operations and job losses." - DPA (Yahoo!)
“Without the profound impact of National Lottery funding for the arts, heritage, charity and tourism sectors, introduced by the Conservative government in 1994, survival of even the fittest would have been nigh on impossible." - The Art Newspaper
The outlet, near Independence Hall, will offer 30% to 50% discounts, up to three days before curtain, to select music and dance performances (including the Philadelphia Orchestra and Philadelphia Ballet) as well as theater. This is the first TKTS booth in the US outside New York City. - The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
The university's College of Arts and Sciences has suspended admissions to doctoral programs in a dozen humanities and social science departments, including English, philosophy, history, political science, and sociology. Though officials deny it, evidence indicates that the suspension is in response to the unionization of graduate students. - Inside Higher Ed
Airbnb and the Colosseum Archaeological Park have signed a $1.5 million deal to offer 16 tourists a chance to "unleash their inner gladiator." Colosseum officials say it will pay for site maintenance; many Romans object to both the bad taste of the idea and the company's contributions to overtourism. - CNN
The climate activists sprayed orange powder paint on some of Stonehenge’s monuments in June. The English Heritage chief claimed that despite there being no permanent visual damage, the act caused distress “to those for whom Stonehenge holds a spiritual significance.” - Salon
It’s not that easy. “A government ban on a trans rights exhibition at Depo in Beyoğlu this summer, coming in the wake of anti-LGBTQ+ protests at a separate art show last year, has rattled artists and cultural workers in Turkey.” - Hyperallergic
The social media site that’s been gaining new members by the million this week says that unlike Twitter (“X”), which has promised the opposite, Bluesky does “not use any of your content to train generative AI, and has no intention of doing so.” - The Verge
The fate of phone restrictions will depend primarily on whether or not principals and superintendents can establish clear rules, stand up for teachers who enforce them, hold firm against parents who object, and create clear and enforceable boundaries between legitimate and illegitimate use. - Maclean's
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2025 budget allocates $73 million for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (which administers city arts grants) — 11% more than the agency actually received this past year but less than City Council had approved for fiscal 2024. Arts organizations are puzzling it all out. - WBEZ (Chicago)
