The looting of the Sudan National Museum is the most striking example of the destruction of cultural heritage. Dramatic images of the remains of the temple of Buhen, rescued during the UNESCO campaign and brought to the museum, suggest that they have been damaged. - Apollo
The garden, which was announced during Mr. Trump’s first term, will feature life-size renderings of “250 great individuals from America’s past who have contributed to our cultural, scientific and political heritage,” according to a news release. - The New York Times
“Woman With Eyes Closed was commissioned, completed ahead of deadline, cast and workshopped when the 2020 lockdown canceled Opera Philadelphia’s premiere. The (piece) was dropped again when the ailing company’s 2024 fall festival was put on hold.” The opera finally premieres this weekend — in Pittsburgh. - The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
“After all, the Kennedy Center is more than a venue, it’s a ‘living monument’ — a place where the story of American culture plays out onstage. Whatever happens at the Kennedy Center becomes part of the history it exists to preserve.” - The Washington Post (MSN)
With Hollywood reeling from a convergence of factors and production moving to less expensive states and overseas, industry leaders and some lawmakers are pushing to expand tax credits for production. Others argue that, with a looming budget crisis and millions of people in need, California can’t afford corporate giveaways. - Los Angeles Times (Yahoo!)
While a few programs (among them the Master of Music in historical performance and, since last year, the acting MFA) are already tuition-free, the goal is to extend that policy to the entire school. $180 million of the $550 million goal has been pledged so far. - The New York Times
“Random House announced that it would publish a hardcover book in July combining the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, followed in November by a hardcover edition of the Federalist Papers. Both books include introductions by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham.” - AP
“A New York City firm known for integrating architecture, art, infrastructure, and landscape will reimagine Kansas City’s premier museum for the next generation of visitors. … The Weiss/Manfredi architecture firm was selected to design a new wing on the west end of its campus.” - KCUR (Kansas City)
“The exit of 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens in the face of Trump administration pressure has roiled CBS News and alarmed journalists, fueling speculation about where the organization goes from here, especially if there are further concessions to clear the path to parent Paramount Global's merger with Skydance Media.” - TheWrap (MSN)
“We got word that André (Bishop) wanted to schedule Floyd for his final production and the very same week we (got) a theater for Redwood. When I first got the two schedules, they opened the same week. I fought for four days off between Redwood opening and the start of Floyd.” - Vulture (MSN)
While a few dramatic events aren’t credible (for instance, Sister Agnes wouldn't be poking around while the cardinals are sequestered), experts say the film is very well-researched. Said one historian of Catholicism, “It was remarkable the way that they took something that’s secret and really got a lot of it right.” - The Guardian
Facebook’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, admitted as much during more than ten hours of testimony, over three days last week, in the opening phase of the Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust trial against Facebook’s parent company, Meta. - The New Yorker
Three of the largest arts funders in the United States—the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Doris Duke Foundation, and the Ford Foundation—stopped supporting many components of the arts infrastructure in New York that they helped create. - The New Yorker
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS ) has terminated two grants for Black history and culture that were awarded to the Whitney Plantation, a former plantation in Louisiana that focuses on the truths of slavery and the experiences of people who were enslaved. - The Guardian
“(Moby Group) remains, not just hanging on, but a dominant player in the Afghan market, producing TV and radio entertainment shows and a 24-hour news channel that employs about 400 people. The result is an odd co-existence with the Taliban – a ‘strange dance’, as (Saad) Mohseni put it.” - The Guardian
