Heir to a tobacco fortune who made another fortune as an investment banker, Cullman gave away hundreds of millions to, among many other organizations, the New York Public Library, the Museum of Modern Art, public television station WNET, and the American Museum of Natural History. And he publicly encouraged his fellow moguls to give away as much as he did. The New York Times
Author: Matthew Westphal
Robert Earle, Host Of The ‘College Bowl’ Quiz Show Of The 1960s, Dead At 93
“On College Bowl, two teams of four college students answered questions on science, history, philosophy, music, literature and other subjects. It combined elements of a team sport, high-speed oral examination and a football game. … Mr. Earle took over the show in 1962, when the original host, Allen Ludden, left to launch a new game show, Password, … and was the show’s host from 1962 until it left the air in 1970.” – The Washington Post
The Last ‘Dance Dance Revolution’ Machines In New York
Or, at least, in Manhattan. The once-wildly-popular 1990s electronic game can still be played at arcades in Times Square and Chinatown, where there is a devoted following. – The New York Times
Has Google News Really Earned $4.7 Billion That Should Have Gone To Newspapers And Magazines? Probably Not
In support of what’s arguably a good idea (giving media companies an antitrust exemption so they can band together and bargain for revenue sharing with Google and Facebook), the News Industry Alliance released a study claiming that Google News alone earns more than $4.7 billion for the search engine. That is, argues Jordan Weissman, “a stunningly flimsy conclusion. … This effort is so amateurish that I’m guessing it will probably do more harm than good for the industry’s cause.” – Slate
Three Disasters In One Day Hit Woodstock 50; Organizers Say It Will Still Happen (But Where?)
“Less than an hour after Watkins Glen International speedway announced it was no longer hosting Woodstock 50 on Monday (June 10), in separate announcements the event’s producer CID Entertainment issued a statement saying it was ending its involvement with the anniversary festival and the New York State Department of Health gave word its permit application was being rescinded.” – Billboard
Is ‘Salvator Mundi’ On A Saudi Prince’s Massive Yacht?
The whereabouts of the world’s most expensive artwork — which may or may not actually have been painted by Leonardo da Vinci — have been a mystery for months. But Artnet columnist Kenny Schachter reports that “two principals involved in the transaction” say the painting is on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s 440-foot yacht (which didn’t cost that much more than the painting did). – Artnet
Can The CEO Who Saved Waterstones Save Barnes & Noble, Too?
The hedge fund that bought the beleaguered Barnes & Noble last week also owns Waterstones, the UK’s leading bookstore chain, which had been suffering from similar troubles. So the new owners are sending over to B&N the man who led Waterstones back to profitability, James Daunt. Can he revive the U.S. chain? “I have done it before,” he says, “the scale is a lot bigger, but so are the resources available.” – Publishers Weekly
Following Death Of Founder, San Antonio’s Alamo City Opera To Close
“‘We had several options, and this was the one that was viable … because he had that incredible imagination and powerful talent that a lot of people don’t have,’ said Carol Karotkin, chairwoman of the board. Richter, who launched the company in 2012 under the name Opera Piccola, died April 28 at the age of 51.” – San Antonio Express-News
Amsterdam’s Stedelijk Museum Has New Director, Nearly Two Years After (Non-)Scandal
“After more than a year and a half of being without a permanent director, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam said that the veteran museum leader Rein Wolfs has been picked to fill the position. … [He] follows Beatrix Ruf, who resigned in October 2017 after three years on the job, amid conflict-of-interest accusations from which she was later cleared.” – ARTnews
Staffers Win Lawsuit To Halt Renovation Of State Russian Museum In St. Petersburg
“After nearly a yearlong legal wrangle, a court in St. Petersburg has ruled in favour of the State Russian Museum staff who have been fighting against plans for a $17m overhaul of the Mikhailovsky Palace, the museum’s main building. The plaintiffs argued that the refurbishment would damage the museum’s architectural heritage and museum collections.” The judge is being called a hero for having the courage to rule against a government project. – The Art Newspaper