I am his Highness’ dog at Kew; Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you? - Alexander Pope, “Epigram Engraved on the Collar of a Dog Which I Gave to His Royal Highness” Next month, the NEA will release a new strategic plan. For federal agencies, no less than for commercial or nonprofit entities, such documents are only as good as their owners. Who will monitor the resulting … [Read more...] about Sharing Ownership of a National Research Agenda for the Arts
Quick Study: Music and Mood Regulation in the First Wave of COVID
In this month's episode, we consult an international study to learn how music-listening and music-making were affected in the first few months of the pandemic, and how these activities helped people better cope with their emotions. The source article can be found here. Go here for a transcript of this podcast on the NEA website. … [Read more...] about Quick Study: Music and Mood Regulation in the First Wave of COVID
Sweating the Big Stuff for Small Nonprofits – Plus New Jobs Numbers
In the first few months of the pandemic, I often heard speculation about the extent to which shutdowns, event cancellations, social distancing, and a reluctance to travel would affect the finances of different arts organizations. Some contended that only the largest organizations, with their steady endowments and loyal patron lists, would power through. Others pointed to the … [Read more...] about Sweating the Big Stuff for Small Nonprofits – Plus New Jobs Numbers
Quick Study: Tracking the Viral Spread of Musical Genres
In this episode, we look at how statistical models for tracking infectious diseases can help researchers monitor the spread of popular music genres. The source article is here. A transcript of this podcast is available at the NEA website. … [Read more...] about Quick Study: Tracking the Viral Spread of Musical Genres
Museums, Libraries, and Community Impact – It’s Not (Just) the Economy
In an era when questions of economic impact threaten to monopolize public discourse about the value of arts and culture, it is refreshing to see a new report from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), in which the authors state, without apology: “The vast majority of libraries and museums are not large employers and will never provide the muscle to significantly … [Read more...] about Museums, Libraries, and Community Impact – It’s Not (Just) the Economy