ArtsJournal: Arts, Culture, Ideas

Today’s AJ Highlights

Good morning: Why do we just assume that our digital technology is just better? See the resurgence of vinyl recordings. There’s something about the tactile mechanical operation of gadgets and gizmos that is sooo satisfying. And the fringe subgenre of Steampunk might have something to teach us about our interactions with technology. See Joshua Rothman’s article in The New Yorker to explore the idea.

In the meantime, here are more highlights from the past day:

  1. Canadian Playwright Under Attack For “Pretendianism” Jani Lauzon has maintained she is Métis and her play 1939—now touring Canada—is based on her father’s experience at a residential school. This story explores the controversy surrounding her identity and the authenticity of her narrative. Read more at The Walrus
  2. The Giant Opera That Took Over The Streets Of Toulouse The streets of Toulouse, France, hosted an urban opera titled The Guardian of the Temple—The Gates of Darkness, featuring massive robotic puppets of mythological creatures performing around the city. Read more at The Atlantic
  3. Is Understanding Math The Key To Democracy? This article discusses how the ability to understand and interpret data, algorithms, and statistics is crucial in a democracy to prevent disenfranchisement and manipulation. Read more at The New York Times
  4. New York Has Become A Hub Of Endangered Languages This piece highlights how New York City has become a refuge for speakers of hundreds of endangered languages from around the world, serving as a critical juncture in the global effort to preserve these languages. Read more at LitHub
  5. New UK Anti-Terrorism Law Adds Security Obligations To Theatres UK theatres are facing new security obligations under a proposed anti-terrorism law, which could impose significant operational challenges for these cultural venues. Read more at The Stage

To see all the stories we collected in the past day. organized by topic, skip down. See you tomorrow!

Doug

Latest Stories

Artnet’s “The Worst Art We Saw In 2025”

By no means is all of this bad art actually from 2025, though a fair bit of it is. In fact, one choice (this writer’s personal favorite) has been on display in Philadelphia for more than a century, and it just keeps on looking god-awful. - Artnet

The Walrus’ Year In Arts And Culture

These were the economic and political forces shaping culture in 2025. From the decline of the middle-class musician and the digitization of art to critical reassessments of literary heavyweights and political cinema... - The Walrus

Twelve Stories That Defined 2025 For Museums

In the U.S., a tense political climate and moves by the Trump administration to exert more control over the country’s cultural institutions is creating new challenges for museums, both financially and ideologically. - Artnet

Premium

Fall 2026 Applications Open for MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises

Earn your Master’s in One Year. Northwestern University’s MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises (MSLCE) program develops leaders across Entertainment, Media and the Arts.

Classifieds

Pewabic Pottery seeks next Executive Director

Pewabic Pottery, one of the oldest continuously operating potteries in the country & now a nonprofit in Detroit, MI seeks its next Executive Director.

Director of Development for Texas Ballet Theater

Texas Ballet Theater seeks a creative, hands-on Development Director to lead annual fundraising efforts and prepare for a capital campaign.

PEM, Director of Exhibition Design

Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA, seeks a Director of Exhibition Design to lead its Exhibition Design Department

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Arts Administration

The Arts Administration program at Elon University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position that begins in August 2026.

Executive Director, Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach

The Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach (CMSPB) is known for performances and educational programs of the highest artistic merit.
function my_excerpt_length($length){ return 200; } add_filter('excerpt_length', 'my_excerpt_length');