Granted, the program was only just gearing up when the pandemic closed arts venues, but officials' hopes that 18-year-olds would use their few-strings-attached €300 to sample high culture are being punctured by reality. - The New York Times
The post-pandemic (and possibly post-45) change: "As theater returns to robust live-ness, Washington has been cast in a significant role once again, as a test-market locale with sophisticated theater tastes." - Washington Post
When your book release happens the same week - or day - that most of your country locks down for a pandemic, well ... that was 2020 for many writers. - NPR
With its 2.8 million Q2 2021 subscribers, HBO Max now has 47 million subscribers in the United States, and a total of 67 million subscribers worldwide. That’s not bad at all considering HBO Max is just over a year old. - Fast Company
The company "added a mere 1.5 million paying members globally in the second quarter, which is down 85% from the same period last year, when it reported 10.1 million subscriber additions." - Yahoo! (Los Angeles Times)
"Beginning July 21, the 'pass sanitaire' or 'health pass' will be required for venues with more than 50 people. Visitors over 18 will be required to show a QR code with a record of full vaccination, or a negative ... test from the previous 48 hours." - Artnet
Korean-language programs have seen a surge in demand following drama “Parasite” winning best picture at last year’s Academy Awards and “Minari” receiving critical acclaim. Los Angeles Times
One Alamo Drafthouse audience member: "“I love movies and I have to be in the theater to see a movie. Like, to me, that’s the only way to watch movies." - Los Angeles Times
At a museum in Bologna, cameras and sensors of the ShareArt system record how many people view particular works, for how long, from how far away, and where exactly they concentrate their gaze. This data could help optimize gallery layout and even the scheduling of exhibits. - Bloomberg CityLab
As people start returning to cinemas rather than watching feature films at home as their only option, A.O. Scott considers whether the distinctions between movies, television, and streaming video are collapsing for good — and what we may be losing in the process. - The New York Times
Freedom Day (as Boris Johnson has called it) will see all COVID-related legal restrictions on arts venues lifted, but the Society of London Theatres and UK Theatre will continue to "strongly encourage" all audience members to mask up. - WhatsOnStage (London)
This remains true, with big financial and other consequences: "Why does this matter? For a start, it narrows men’s experiences of the world." - The Guardian (UK)
With pandemic limitations in mind, as of early July, the overall domestic box office has reached $1.05 billion in ticket sales, down 42.3% from 2020 and down 81.3% from 2019. - Variety
