An Ontario police department decides to sell off the art in its station to buy exercise equipment. A critic wonders if this is an aberration or reflects a national attitude towards art. Toronto Globe and Mail
Author: Douglas McLennan
ANTI ANTI ADVOCACY
Thanks to lobbying by non-profits, US Congress has killed a provision that would have prohibited political advocacy for some 501 (C)3’s. Backstage
HACKED OFF
Australia’s new net censorship laws are to go into effect in January. Last week, the agency set to enforce the laws had its website hacked. Wired
THE BIRTHDAY BOOK
The Library of Congress is 200 years old this year. A year of celebrations is planned. – Washington Post
E IS FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL
London Symphony Orchestra, which has claimed to be “the most recorded orchestra in the world,” sets up its own recording label. – The Independent
ROSENBERG OPERA
Opera about Julius and Ethel Rosenberg by American composer has successful premiere in Berlin. – Die Welt
ABOUT AND BY COOKE
Two new books about and by Alistair Cooke. An interview with his biographer Nick Clarke. – The Idler
LESSONS FROM VEGAS
“The latest extravaganzas are of a different order: pageants so rich and strange that they refresh our concept of what operatic stagecraft might be, potentially as influential as the ceremonies of Robert Wilson once upon a time (but a lot more fun).” New York Times
ONCE A COWARD
The Noel Coward centenary is upon us, and some wonder whether his work still speaks to us. Los Angeles Times
And: Happy birthday Noel. New York Times
PASSING THE MANTLE
It’s your moment – whatever you’re going to do, do it now. A new generation of directors comes of age in Hollywood. Los Angeles Times