“We are devastated by this decision, which we believe is a fundamentally regressive move for the college, the choral community in Cambridge, and the wider arts provision for women in the UK.” - The Guardian
"O Wednesday, several members of the U.S. House and Senate proposed a new commission that would study the possibility of transferring ownership of Philadelphia’s Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution." Under this plan, the museum would remain in Philadelphia. - The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
The report points out – with some perspicacity – that there is a view throughout the industry that whilst opera is an expensive art form, there are ways of producing first-class work that do not indulge in the expensive elements in quite the same way. - The Telegraph (UK)
For instance, the Joyce Theater in New York has purchased a six-story, 58,000-square-foot building in Manhattan's East Village. San Francisco's ODC bought its third building, one which is next door to its theater. The big risk, of course, is whether the organizations will always be able to afford upkeep. - Marketplace
The Australia Institute report, released on Wednesday, questioned if more public money should be used for research and education instead of being directed to international academic publishers. Academic publishes are among the most profitable businesses in the world – raking in massive profit margins approaching 40% – in line with Google and Apple. - The Guardian
"The eye-catching proposal, which was formally submitted to (Los Angeles) city planning authorities this week, will transform a two-acre site on Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard into a 22-story entertainment industry workplace dubbed The Star … (with) greenery spilling out from a series of terraces spiraling up its façade." - CNN
The sale of the downtown facility will dramatically alter perceptions of the museum’s long-standing binational mandate, aimed at artists and audiences in the border area of San Diego and Tijuana. Closure also raises difficult questions about the fate of several works of art in the permanent collection. - Los Angeles Times
"A group of commercial off-Broadway shows have bucked the trend and are packing in ticket-buyers. … Taken together, though, these off-Broadway gems offer an optimistic lesson to theaters everywhere: Clever, appealing, fresh ideas brilliantly executed are what put butts in seats." - New York Post
Twenty-five of America’s 26 largest downtowns have more residents today than they did on the eve of the pandemic. Meanwhile, both violent and property crime plummeted in cities across the country in 2022 and 2023. - The Atlantic
"Few details were available on the initiative, which picks up on the joint venture that brought Charlie Parker’s Yardbird and We Shall Not Be Moved to the stages of both companies. No commissioned composers have yet been announced for this round of the partnership." - The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
"In February, the state House of Representatives passed a bill that would limit the tax credits that could be sold annually to 2.5% of the state budget — or about $900 million next year. The Senate Finance Committee effectively torpedoed that provision at a meeting on Wednesday night." - Variety
"Former host and reporter Vic Vela, who rose to prominence in recent years through his podcast about addiction, recovery and mental health, filed complaints Tuesday with state and federal disability authorities alleging he was fired in January because he asked for accommodations to help maintain his sobriety." - The Colorado Sun
"Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday signed off on legislation designed to protect songwriters, performers and other music industry professionals against the potential dangers of artificial intelligence. … Supporters say the goal is to ensure that AI tools cannot replicate an artist’s voice without their consent." - AP
"Daniel Sikkema, the ex-husband of the New York art dealer Brent Sikkema, who is embroiled in allegations that he orchestrated his former partner’s murder in Brazil earlier this year, was arrested in New York on Wednesday, March 20 for alleged passport fraud." - Hyperallergic
"The long-running arts organization, which specializes in project-based community programming, currently has more than $3.68 million in funding for the year. However, (Mayor Cherelle Parker's) new financial plan could reduce the total to $2.68 million per year for the next five years." - The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
