“Rediscovered structural remains, pottery, and glass vessels illuminate daily life and craft practices in the centuries preceding colonial rule. The dig established a complete archaeological sequence from before the kingdom’s founding to after its ruin. As the repatriation of Benin bronzes remains at the forefront of art-world conversations, archaeologists also unearthed artifacts related to metalworking.” - Artnet

Waterfront Park is thus making its debut in a city eager for a win. When it began opening in stages over the last year, Seattleites swarmed the space, dodging construction fences and heavy equipment to check out the progress. Now much rides on its success. - Bloomberg

“Publishers have faced a difficult dilemma: stop offering books that the Kremlin dislikes, clandestinely cut the risky parts or openly redact them to show readers that something was censored. … ‘Right now we’re all playing Minesweeper, (said one literary critic,) when you don’t understand what is forbidden and what is not.’” - The New York Times

Since the heist, information has resurfaced showing that gaps in security appear to have been known for years – including a 2014 warning that alleged one of the museum’s key passwords was simply “LOUVRE.” - CNN

Interviews with 25 people, including current and former Kennedy Center executives, board members, longtime employees, recent hires, industry leaders and Trump administration officials, revealed a Washington institution in crisis. - The New York Times

“Officials said the end of the PBS partnership could cost Alabama Public Television millions in funding, 90% of its content and thousands of audience members. ‘I’m afraid that it would be the end of APT-PBS as we know it,’ APT Commissioner Pete Conroy said.” - AL.com

Such settlements and strategic partnerships will help major labels set the ground rules for developing AI-music ecosystems. And it seems they are becoming common. - The Conversation

Joseph Langelinck’s “highly unpleasant” tours cost around $8 USD, and they’ve reportedly sold out every session since they launched in May, with bookings well into 2026. - The New York Post

For years, Britain’s leading cultural figures have warned that substandard arts provision in schools is devaluing the sector and creating an increasingly elite industry. But the government’s proposed shake-up of the national curriculum, … has been met with overwhelming positivity, with one figure saying it could end ‘the madness of the past decade’.” - The Guardian

Could machine analysis measure the qualities that make Dylan’s songs resonate – how complexity arises, how new images mix with the familiar, how ambiguity threads through songs? - Aeon

“The inaugural IndieChina film festival was planned to take place between 8 and 15 November. But on 5 November the festival’s curator ... posted on Facebook that he had been forced to cancel 80% of the planned screenings because film-makers had pulled out” after their families in China were pressured by authorities. - The Guardian

One solution might be to put it in a separate structure — climate-controlled, transparent — in the neighboring Tuileries Garden. Time-controlled tickets could be sold at a premium, while the general public could view it for free at a distance, through the glass walls. - Washington Post

Until, that is, last week, when the 1985 film Mishima finally had its Japanese premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival, where the screening sold out in ten minutes. Before that? Well, in his homeland the life and ideas of the author were something of an uncomfortable subject. - The New York Times

“WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times asked some Black Chicago theater makers what has changed for them since 2020. Among those interviewed for this story, even the most optimistic back in 2020 felt no significant change in the years since. That’s despite the promise of major action by groups themselves.” - WBEZ (Chicago)

The auditorium at Queens Quay had been called the Fleck Dance Theatre; early this year, the Harbourfront Centre, which manages Queens Quay, declined to renew the Fleck’s lease. Now the Toronto Stage Company will take over, presenting its own mainstage season there and making it available to dance organizations. - Ludwig Van

On Monday, a 19-year-old hurled water at a 19th-century portrait and a 16th-century altarpiece, then ripped two tapestries. His mother turned him over to police, who said he seemed to be to be under the influence of an “unknown substance” and took him to a hospital before having him arraigned for criminal mischief. - ARTnews

“This means LACMA United cannot move forward with collective bargaining efforts until it is formalized by a National Labor Relations Board election. Complicating matters further, NLRB activities — including elections — are on hold amid the federal government shutdown.” - Los Angeles Times (Yahoo!)

She began her carer in theatre and TV and first became widely known as troublemaking parlour maid Sarah on Upstairs, Downstairs. Her turn as the lonely housewife talking to the wall in the one-woman play Shirley Valentine won her an Olivier, a Tony, and, for the film adaptation, an Oscar nomination. - The Hollywood Reporter

Thursday night’s Israel Philharmonic concert at the Philharmonie was interrupted three times by demonstrators, including twice when flares were lit in the balcony and smoke filled the auditorium. One of the disruptors was attacked by angry audience members and a physical fight broke out. Four people were arrested. - BBC (MSN)

The country’s government has requested that the UN agency designate yodeling as Intangible Cultural Heritage. UNESCO’s committee for Intangible Heritage will decide at its mid-December meeting in New Delhi. - AP