The program, which starts March 3, focuses on seven rising artists from around the country who were selected by Hirshhorn curators. Each week, the artists are commissioned to make a themed work — such as an exploration of gender — that is evaluated by Melissa Chiu, the Hirshhorn’s director. - The New York Times
Two weeks ago, following an alleged complaint from a visitor about art with a "destructive ideology." Russia's Ministry of Culture demanded that the Moscow museum bring its exhibitions "in line with spiritual and moral values." The ousted director, Zefira Tregulova, learned about her firing from the media. - MSN (The Washington Post)
Both Lahav Shani and Gustavo Dudamel are safe choices. Musicians and audiences feel comfortable with them. Unfortunately, challenging programs will probably be rare. - Van
At age 23, she and college pal Barbara Holdridge launched Caedmon Records with an LP of Dylan Thomas reading A Child's Christmas in Wales. The label went on to great success, recording writers reading their work and actors reading plays, creating the market for literature in audio. - MSN (The Washington Post)
Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, the company's new artistic director: "I could have said, 'Oh, I'm throwing everything out,' but I don't think that's smart. ... (Yet) it's like everybody has their Ohad (Naharin), everybody has their (Crystal) Pite. What about the other folks that have been out there creating?" - The New York Times
"(The policy allows) any non-union theater worker to join who can demonstrate that they have worked professionally as an actor or stage manager within Equity's geographical jurisdiction. The 51,000-member union launched the Open Access policy in July of 2021, but it had a sunset date of May 1, 2023." - Deadline
"The Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is teaming up with MTV Studios to create the six episode docuseries The Exhibit: Finding the Next Great Artist, which will follow seven American artists who will compete for a presentation at the museum and a cash prize." - ARTnews
"The Writers Guild of America's current contract expires on May 1, and the industry is bracing for a major battle, and what could be the first strike in 15 years." One major issue: most writers currently get no residual payments if an old film becomes a hit on streaming video. - Variety
"HarperCollins Publishers and the union representing around 250 striking employees reached a tentative agreement providing increases to entry level salaries. If union members ratify the contract, it will run through the end of 2025 and end a walkout that began nearly three months ago." - AP
"The Philadelphia Folksong Society is teetering on bankruptcy and won't put on its annual festival this summer for the first time in more than 60 years. ... The Philadelphia Folk Festival started in 1962 and is the longest continuously running outdoor music festival in the country." - Axios
Now in his 11th season as music director, he’s hired 23 new musicians and commissioned 37 works, including from composers of different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives on what classical music can be. - WRTI
“If we’re going to be audience first we have to be digital first. We get up every day and say, ‘What do our audiences want, and where are they?’ And they’re on digital in increasing numbers. And so if we are not there we’re no longer relevant.” - The Globe & Mail (Canada)
Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) quietly became the streamer’s biggest region in terms of subscribers, overtaking the combined user figure for the U.S. and Canada during the second half of 2022. - The Hollywood Reporter
The identity of Vermeer’s patron is of vital importance, since they purchased half of the artist’s entire oeuvre, at least 20 paintings. Equally significantly, De Knuijt began to buy his work in around 1657, the time when Vermeer was creating his intriguing scenes centred around young women in interiors. - The Art Newspaper
