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
The company said operating profit at its domestic theme park division had climbed 13 percent from a year earlier, to $1.82 billion. Revenue increased 9 percent, to $6.5 billion. Park attendance was up. Hotel room bookings were up. And spending on merchandise and food was up. - The New York Times
The concept of “cultural-retail” has seeped into the fabric of Hong Kongers’ lives, with new properties such as Airside and The Henderson finding inspiration and creating a vision for a Hong Kong that appreciates art and cultural experiences. - HypeBeast
All 10 directors who oversee grants in various disciplines of the arts — such as museums, theater, design, and folk and traditional arts — are leaving the agency, according to a review of emails obtained by The Washington Post. - Washington Post (MSN)
In recent years, the idea has made the leap to the MAGA right. Along the way, it has become something very different: not a tool to more equitably distribute educational resources but a weapon to make elite higher education poorer, weaker, and less influential. - The Atlantic (MSN)
“The new theme park … features a different sort of business model for Disney: The destination will be developed, built, and operated by the entertainment and destination holding company Miral, with Disney Imagineers leading creative design and operational oversight.” - The Hollywood Reporter
