Stories

Crystal Bridges Completes Major Expansion

This component of a long-running plan for the site adds two galleries and 114,00 square feet (10,590 square metres) of space for a recent major gift and the subsequent reinterpretation of its collection. The museum's footprint has expanded by half since its opening in 2011. - Dezeen

Second-Generation Cambodian-American, Trained Only In U.S., Becomes Skilled Teacher Of Khmer Classical Dance

Peter Veth has never studied in Cambodia — only in his hometown of Lowell, Mass., a center of the diaspora. But from sixth grade on he took classes with visiting Cambodian masters and at Lowell’s Angkor Dance Troupe, where he now teaches the art form to younger dancers. - Dance Teacher

London’s Royal Opera House Is Embracing AI. Some Musicians Aren’t Happy

"We started programming SHIFT because there is a bit of a crisis in the performing arts with regards to machine learning. There's absolute panic. And in fact last year, when we announced it, some leading people in the arts were describing AI as evil and as the devil." - The Independent

Report: Australian Arts Participation At Highest Level Ever

More Australians are attending live arts events and festivals, with 2025 the highest level of attendance recorded. While some art forms have seen shifts back towards more frequent pre-COVID-19 attendance patterns, others have not fully recovered. - Creative Australia

Carl Schachter, Influential Music Theorist, 93

His groundbreaking work as a music theorist primarily advanced Schenkerian theory by integrating rhythmic, metric, and harmonic dimensions into linear voice-leading analysis, while emphasizing how these elements interact to form structural coherence in tonal music. - The Violin Channel

Painter Of Dallas Whale Mural Painted Over For World Cup Promo Sues FIFA

The 17,000-square-foot mural, one of artist Robert Wyland’s popular “Whaling Wall” series, had been on view in downtown Dallas since 1999. Wyland is suing international soccer's governing body and the building’s owners for $25 million under the federal Visual Artist Rights Act, saying the mural was covered without his knowledge or consent. - AP

Dito Von Reigersberg, Aka Martha Graham Cracker, Philadelphia Arts World’s Favorite Drag Queen, Is Dead At 53

As Martha, he hosted a highly popular monthly cabaret and collaborated with, among others, the Philadelphia Orchestra and Opera Philadelphia. He also had a notable career, under his own persona, as an actor and theatermaker, most notably as a cofounder of Pig Iron Theatre Company. - The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)

Brazilian Police Say They’ve Identified Mastermind Of Matisse Robbery In São Paulo

Last December, thieves stole 13 prints, including eight by Matisse, from the Biblioteca Mario de Andrade in São Paulo. Two suspects accused of the robbery itself were identified soon afterward; police have now named the alleged ringleader, who is currently in prison on other charges and has a considerable criminal history. - ArtReview

New York State Adds $150 Million To Theater Production Tax Credit — But Is It Going To Shows That Really Need It?

“The program … faces criticism from budget watchdog groups, state lawmakers, and even theatrical insiders who say the tax credits don’t support shows most in need of financial support. Many that have received state aid had the backing of major production companies,” including Disney. - Bloomberg Law News

Trump Administration Wants To Judge Higher Ed Institutions On Graduates’ Earnings, Posing Dangers For Arts Schools

“The Department of Education has proposed a new ‘accountability’ system that would judge higher-education programs largely by graduates’ earnings, ... a test that music, visual arts, and filmmaking programs would, by their nature, be likely to fail." Programs whose graduates don't meet earnings benchmarks could become ineligible for federal student loans. - ARTnews

Minnesota Star Tribune To Cut 65 Jobs, Explore Going Fully Nonprofit

“The Star Tribune employs 495 people and cuts will be made across every department. The newsroom has just under 200 journalists and will decline to 175 while remaining one of the largest between the coasts. Just last year, 125 employees were laid off when the company ... closed its ... printing plant.” - The Minnesota Star Tribune

Speight Jenkins, Director Who Transformed Seattle Opera, Has Died At 89

Over his 31 years as general manager, he made the company into one of the most respected in the country and, said some observers, the Wagner capital of the U.S. It’s easy to forget that he began his career as a New York music critic and hosted Met Opera telecasts. - MyNorthwest.com

A New Partnership Helps Stand-Up Comics In Chicago To Finally Get Steady Health Insurance

The Health Alliance for Chicago Comedians is building a pilot program to help 10 comics pay insurance premiums through the Affordable Care Act’s next open enrollment period. Stand-up comedians, especially early in their careers, often take gigs and side jobs which offer no insurance. - WBEZ (Chicago)

It’s Just A Few Cents: More People Are Listening To Music Pitched Down To A=432Hz

“Music recorded in 432 hertz (cycles per second) is taking off on social media platforms and music streaming services. … Scientists say there’s no robust evidence that music tuned to 432 hertz has any special benefits or healing properties. Some musicians and listeners say it helps them connect with nature, relax or concentrate.” - AP

Okay, Here’s How The Publishing Business Really Works

Nobody would patronize a best-seller–only shopping mall kiosk called We Bet We Have That Book You Want, even though best-sellers are most of what anyone buys. People want to walk into stores with lots of books which they have no interest in even looking at. - Republic of Letters

Our Free Newsletter

Join our 30,000 subscribers

Latest

Don't Miss