Vinton, Iowa's library shuttered as the staff resigned after a barrage of attacks. The complaints: "That we were not being fair to President Trump because we didn't have books that were equal. ... And that in the marching book, there was a lack of marches such as pro-life." - NPR
Leena Manimekalai shared the poster, of the Hindu goddess Kali smoking a cigarette and holding a Pride flag, on Twitter. "Any artist would expect a discussion, a discourse post her work being exhibited. But I never thought I would be attacked by this type of organized violence." - CBC
"With Russia actively trying to erase Ukraine's national identity, this country's music, literature, movies and monuments are not recreations. They are battlefields. The true culture war of our age is the war for democracy, and Ukrainian culture, past and present, has become a vital line of defense." - The New York Times
Meetings, walkouts, subtle out of office notes - and representation: "Many in Hollywood have begun to think about how they portray characters receiving abortion and reproductive care. And some in the industry have been turning to their guilds for guidance." - The Hollywood Reporter
From 2008 to 2012, the Arizona Commission on the Arts had a regular line, about $550,000, in the state budget; since then, the agency had only one-time appropriations that vary widely year-to-year. In 2020 the legislature gave the Commission $2 million; for the upcoming year, $5 million. - The Arizona Republic
Obviously, "involuntary location" is a nonstarter, but also, "describing someone as a slave does nothing to diminish their humanity. Enslaving someone diminishes their humanity, which is why one should not do it." Texas and liberals alike can use their words - correctly. - The Atlantic
David Bromwich: "In The Importance of Being Earnest, Algernon recoiled from the display of affection by the happily married: 'It is simply washing one's clean linen in public.' A great deal of the admired and well-rewarded art of our time consists of washing one's clean linen in public." - The Nation
The sixth annual Cultural Infrastructure Index, produced by AEA Consulting, has found that "after a predictable dip in 2020, due to broader pandemic lockdowns, 2021 showed an extraordinarily robust rebound in new buildings and projects." - Artnet
"A community of artists — many of color — has blossomed in unassuming districts with names like East Rock, Newhallville and Fair Haven. Most are Yale alumni who chose to stay. … New Haven's appeal over larger cities may not be self-evident, but it makes sense." - T — The New York Times Style Magazine
It's actually quite pleasing for architects - and fans of community spirit as well. "You can gut it and bring all of this modern stuff in … but people love the ‘imagine if walls could talk’ kind of feel."- The Guardian (UK)
Roy Moore, whom history will remember for putting a marble Ten Commandments monument at the Alabama Judicial Building and being banned from a mall for his interactions with teenage girls, just had his $95 million lawsuit against Sacha Baron Cohen for a "pedophile detector" TV episode tossed. - Washington Post
Andrea Bowers's show opened on June 24, the day that the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe. "When you enter the first gallery, you’re greeted immediately by a big, blinking yellow and red neon sign that reads, 'My Body My Choice Her Body Her Choice.'" - Los Angeles Times
It only operated from 1933-1957 in North Carolina's Swannanoa Valley, and its great impact was through its summer program. But to see how important Black Mountain College was, you need only look at the astounding list of those who taught and studied there. - T — The New York Times Style Magazine
It was a network of theaters, nightclubs, and church halls throughout the US where Black entertainers performed during the segregation era, and where many great musicians and actors got their start. It still exists, on a smaller scale, as a touring circuit for Black-oriented popular plays and music. - Atlas Obscura
