ArtsJournal: Arts, Culture, Ideas

Today’s Weekend AJ Highlights

Good morning. How can you believe anything anymore? AI has taken away the “proof” of a video. And seeing (or hearing) is definitely not believing anymore. Sociologists call it “deep doubt,” and being unable to truly believe in anything is destabilizing, not just personally, but for the wider culture. Ars Technica’s Benj Edwards explores the phenomenon. Meanwhile, here are the rest of today’s highlights:

  1. China’s Art Censorship Targets Contemporary Artists
    China’s increasing crackdown on contemporary art has forced many artists to go underground or leave the country entirely. This new wave of censorship is severely limiting creative expression. Read more on The New York Times.
  2. Is AI Creating a Crisis for the Art World?
    As AI-generated art becomes more prevalent, artists and curators are grappling with existential questions about the future of creativity. Is human input becoming irrelevant in the art world? Read more on The Guardian.
  3. Indigenous Artists Lead the Way in Climate Activism
    Indigenous artists from the Amazon to the Arctic are using their work to advocate for urgent climate action, blending cultural traditions with contemporary environmentalism. Their art is drawing attention to the devastating impacts of climate change on indigenous communities. Read more on BBC.
  4. Met Gala’s New Theme Sparks Controversy Over Colonial History
    The announcement of the Met Gala’s new theme, centered on colonial influences in fashion, has ignited a heated debate. Read more on Vogue.
  5. The Return of Live Theatre in Post-Pandemic New York
    New York’s theatre scene is experiencing a renaissance as audiences flock back to live performances post-pandemic. The industry is also facing new challenges, from inflation to shifting audience demographics. Read more on The Washington Post.

As usual, skip down to read the rest of the stories we collected this weekend. See you tomorrow.

Doug

Latest Stories

The Book That Shaped The Modern Revival Of Wicca

In 1899, Charles Godfrey Leland published, with the help of Roma Lister, Aradia, or the gospel of the witches, which purported to record an ancient tradition of female-led sorcery in Italy. In the 1950s, “mother of Wicca” Doreen Valiente used the book to shape Wicca as it exists today. -...

University Decides ROI On Investment In Its University Press Is Insufficient And Closes It. Others To Follow?

Bucknell University Press is on track to shut down by the end of this fiscal year. Demise of the press is raising broader questions about the future of university publishing as higher education institutions across the country face financial hardship and pressure to prove their return on investment to...

Chicago’s Unofficial Arts Czar Is A Daughter Of The City’s Most Famous Political Dynasty

“Amid (Trump-era) turbulence, Nora Daley — who generally prefers to avoid the spotlight — has quietly built a reputation as one of the city’s most effective cultural brokers. … In recent years, that has meant retooling the state’s cultural arm, the Illinois Arts Council, where she led a full...

Premium

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra seeks President & Chief Executive Officer

The next President & CEO will lead the KSO into its next century of artistic excellence, inspired community-engaged education, and strategic growth.

Classifieds

Director of Programming, Hult Center, Eugene, OR

Application Deadline: Monday, December 1, 2025, at 5 p.m. P.T. Accepting Online Applications Only Via the City of Eugene’s Website: Director of Programming | Job

Modern Women: 21st Century Dance a COLORING BOOK and CALENDAR 2026

Modern Women: 21st Century Dance coloring book and calendar 2026 Great gifts for women, girls, dance lovers and those who love them.

Assistant Professor/Associate Professor of Theatre Arts (Directing) or Assistant Professor/Associate Professor of Professional Practice in Theatre Arts (Directing)

The Program aims to attract dynamic and dedicated artists with vision, a standing in the profession, a commitment to teaching, service, and an appetite for collaborating across disciplines.
function my_excerpt_length($length){ return 200; } add_filter('excerpt_length', 'my_excerpt_length');