The Donne report found that 78.4 percent of works in 2023–2024 were by historical (deceased) white men, with 30.6 percent coming from the top 10 (canon) composers, whose names are surely familiar. - San Francisco Classical Voice
Right now, after the chaos of the COVID years and amid a cost of living crisis, many in the sector are feeling like arts funding is at an all-time low… Or is it? - ArtsHub
"The Catholic diocese of Linz (in Austria) said in a statement that the Virgin Mary’s head was sawed off early Monday morning in an act of vandalism. The work, titled Crowning, by Austrian artist Esther Strauss is no longer on view (at Linz Cathedral)." - The Washington Post (MSN)
When you think of creativity, you probably imagine a genius behind an easel or at the heart of a brilliantly directed movie. However, people can also tap into their creative juices if they want to rise to power, enact revenge, or just create trouble. - Psychology Today
Mark Jones, who stepped in as interim director last summer amid the stolen-items crisis, says that admission should remain free for under-25s and UK residents but, citing the Louvre's €22 fee, suggests a £20 ($25) price for others. Jones also says the Parthenon (Elgin) Marbles should return to Greece. - The Standard (London)
Harvest Rock Church is asking $45 million for the 1,200-seat auditorium near the Old Pasadena district that has also hosted jazz greats including Ella Fitzgerald, Dave Brubeck and Dizzy Gillespie. It has been called “the Carnegie Hall of the West” by fans. - Los Angeles Times
Will Crutchfield: "(Carolina) Uccelli was indeed extraordinary, and so is the single surviving opera" — Anna di Resburgo — "by which we can assess her abilities. Behind it lies a human story, touching and somewhat sad, to which there is now a chance to add a happy postscript." - The New York Times
The city is brimming with jazz musicians releasing stellar albums and taking risks live. But is L.A. so expensive and disconnected that it’s risking such rooms? - Los Angeles Times
"This spring, art lovers in Paris had the rare chance to participate in an early morning workout at the Louvre, enjoying yoga and dance moves while running through the galleries. … Monica Bill Barnes and Company has accused the Louvre of copying the Museum Workout, its popular program at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art." - Artnet
"Works targeted for banning typically involve race, gender and the LGBTQ+ communities. … Although scattered through different states and cities, the cases have a common factor: there are usually politicians behind them, and in most cases, they support the former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro." - The Guardian
"Hadi Matar was charged with second-degree attempted murder and assault in connection with the attack. He has pleaded not guilty. … The deal required a guilty plea to ... second-degree attempted murder for a sentence of 20 years" followed by 10 to 20 years in a federal prison on terrorism charges. - ABC News
"The findings … will likely surprise no one as they reflect the 'mixed picture' of the broader economic outlook. So, while there are many more new projects that have been completed or that lie ahead, spending on newly announced projects is lower, amid broader belt-tightening in the arts world." - Artnet
"In a holiday week shocker, Skydance Media and Shari Redstone’s National Amusements Inc. have quietly renewed acquisition talks and have reached a tentative agreement to acquire Paramount Global" — although the studio will reportedly have 45 days to look for a better deal. - Variety
"The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled that the producer could not continue with his $50 million lawsuit alleging that the Actors’ Equity Association violated antitrust and various state laws, including defamation," and illegally prevented him from producing Broadway shows by boycotting him. - AP
He was also an Oscar nominee for Shampoo (starring Warren Beatty), The Last Detail, and Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, and he both wrote and directed four features, including Tequila Sunrise. He was also popular as an uncredited script doctor, contributing to, among other films, The Godfather. - CNN
