ArtsJournal: Arts, Culture, Ideas

Today’s AJ Highlights

Here are your morning highlights to start the new week:

  • Little Free Library Fights Book Bans
    Little Free Library is launching a new map to distribute banned books in regions like Florida and Texas, where book bans are on the rise. This initiative aims to counteract censorship by providing access to literature. Read more on LitHub.
  • Unconventional Biography of Audre Lorde
    A new biography of Audre Lorde by Alexis Pauline Gumbs, titled Survival is a Promise, uses an unconventional approach to breathe new life into the autobiography genre, following the footsteps of Janet Malcolm’s work on Sylvia Plath. Read more on The Atlantic.
  • Sergio Mendes, Bossa Nova Legend, Passes at 83
    Renowned Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes, famous for bringing bossa nova to global audiences with his band Brasil ’66, has passed away at the age of 83. Read more on The Washington Post.
  • HBO’s Emmy Nominations Drop to Historic Lows
    HBO, once a powerhouse at the Emmy Awards, is facing its lowest number of nominations since the early 1990s. This decline raises concerns about the future of premium television in the streaming era. Read more on Vulture.
  • Street Art in Ukraine Captures War’s Devastation
    Ukrainian artist Gamlet Zinkivsky is documenting the impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine through powerful murals on the ruins of Kharkiv. His art brings hope and empowerment to the city’s defenders. Read more on The New York Times.

Scroll down or click the button to see all the stories we collected over the weekend.

Doug

Latest Stories

An Evening In The Life Of A “Drunk Shakespeare” Star

“Marissa Chaffee starts her shift by housing a Five Guys burger with pickles, mustard and ketchup. … Later tonight, she’ll chug (a "Witches' Brew") potion while half-dressed in Spider-Man underwear and knee-high boots in front of 85 theatergoers. The test is … whether she can remember her iambic pentameter.”...

The Coachella Experience Has Declined. An Identity Crisis?

The livestreams haven't calmed the complaints about Coachella's lacklustre audiences — many who watch online have commented that the crowds aren't as hype as they believe they would be if they were in attendance. - CBC

Ambient Music? An Online Archive Of Soundscapes From The Environment

“The Sonic Heritage project is a collection of 270 sounds from 68 countries, including from famous UNESCO-designated sites such as Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal, … a monarch butterfly sanctuary, … wind turbines, rare whales and the Amazonian dawn chorus.” Also, sea lions who sound like drunk frat boys. -...

Premium

Executive Director – Portland Symphony Orchestra

Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) invites dynamic and enterprising leaders with a passion for music to apply for the role of Executive Director.

Old Models Are Broken — Which New Models Are Surging? 3 Arts Conferences

Join us in Toronto, June 24-25; San Francisco, July 22-23; or New York City, August 5-6. Sign up by May 2 to get 3-for-1 registration!

Fall 2025 + Winter 2026 Applications Open for MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises

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

Classifieds

Director of Marketing & Sales- Texas Performing Arts

The Director of Marketing & Sales leads Texas Performing Arts’ marketing, ticketing, and communications functions.

Managing Director – Texas Performing Arts

Texas Performing Arts (TPA) in Austin, Texas has initiated a search for a Managing Director.

Payroll Administrator, Mark Morris Dance Company

This role will be directly responsible for the timely and accurate processing of payroll and independent contractor fees for approximately 200 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees

Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra seeks President & CEO

The President & CEO will partner with the Music Director in a co-equal reporting...

Director of Marketing and Communications

The Mark Morris Dance Group is seeking a Director of Marketing and Communications to strategically advance our visibility, reputation, and audience engagement.

Executive Director, Greenwich Historical Society

Company: Greenwich Historical SocietyLocation: Cos Cob, CTDate Posted: March 24, 2025 (Please download PDF for...

Call For Entries: 18th International ARC Salon Competition

The largest competition for representational art in the world with $130,000+ in cash awards and publication, exhibition, and sale opportunities.

PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER NEW MUSIC USA

A leading national nonprofit organization supporting the music of our time in all its forms—invites nominations and applications for the President & CEO role.

Assistant Director of Digital and Lifelong Learning

The Lifelong Learning Program brings the performing arts to older adults, ensuring that excellence in education reaches students wherever they are, with the belief that development is not limited by age.
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