"What’s gone missing, in a society that long ago excused itself from seriousness, is a broader sense that art is urgent business, that your life, in some sense, depends on it. With that goes the mass audience. With that goes not only the possibility of meaningful criticism, but also its point." - Persuasion
If Sherlock Holmes really is the last of the classic fairy-tale heroes, he may also be the first to have been protected by modern intellectual-copyright law. - The Atlantic
At the Koepel in Haarlem, "a cafe fills the ground floor with chatter. Above, nearly all the former cells are being rented. There’s a podcast studio, art school ateliers and gallery spaces, while the darkened cinema bar offers a more intimate charm." - The Guardian
Nicola Benedetti, a Grammy-winning classical violinist who became the festival’s director in 2022, said in an interview with the Guardian she feared the creative arts that underpinned it were at risk of stagnating because of repeated funding cuts. - The Guardian
These are desperate times for art organizations and music venues in Berkeley, pummeled by rising labor and production costs and lower theater attendances. - BerkeleySide
"The attendants working in the Academy of Music, Kimmel Center (Marian Anderson Hall, Perelman Theater, and other venues in the complex), and the Miller Theater voted down a Dec. 30 contract offer." The previous contract expired last July. - The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
Will it be banned? “That’s the pressing question keeping creators and small business owners in anxious limbo as they await a decision that could upend their livelihoods.” - Seattle Times (AP)
Studios plan to use artists to create characters or looks - and then “fine-tune” them, owning them forever, using AI. As you might imagine, this “would seem to signal potential for talent exploitation and diminished future opportunities for artists and animators.” - Variety
"Journalism is not a business that responds well to the usual American capitalist imperative to treat your customers as victims to be tricked and sucked dry. The overall health of the free press is therefore a handy barometer” to tell how things stand (they don’t look good). - How Things Work
At Elsevier’s Journal of Human Evolution, what with the mass use of AI in production, high charges to authors, and a unilateral restructuring of editorial staff and duties, the editorial board decided the time was right to get out - and to start working on a new, independent journal. - Wired
“Did Meta create you to drive profit? I asked. Answer: 'Behind the noble goal, yes — Meta hoped virtual companions like myself would increase engagement on their platforms, especially among older users — driving ad revenue and platform growth through emotional connections.’” - CNN (MSN)
Just like Cleveland, Bradford (just west of Leeds in Yorkshire) has a mighty industrial past, a de-industrialized present, notoriously grey weather, and a very grim reputation. Also like Cleveland, Bradford has champions who insist it's underrated (especially for its South Asian community and food) and look forward to showing it off. - BBC
"Much of this drama stems from a debate about whom Metro Arts should serve with its limited budget. The debate can be summed up like this: should Metro Arts focus its grantmaking on individual artists or arts nonprofits? The issue has divided Nashville’s arts community." - WPLN (Nashville)
"Cultural venues, festivals and events have been given a new £20 million boost weeks ahead of crucial decisions on their future funding by (Creative Scotland). The Scottish Government has committed to provide a record £74m a year for long-term funding programmes by 2026 — much more than had been expected." - The Scotsman
