Author: sbergman

A Fancy Theater Does Not A Neighborhood Make

When Minneapolis’s Guthrie Theater opened its dramatic new home on the Mississippi riverfront last summer, critics lauded both the building itself, and the new residential and commercial district growing up around it. But historic preservation standards and lack of effort have left the new neighborhood decidedly incomplete. “It’s been well-planned, probably as well as any city district. But no one’s in charge of the little things that, in a city, mean so much.”

TV On The Brink

It’s too early to say for sure, but this spring’s TV ratings books indicate that viewership is on the verge of falling off a cliff. “Everyone has a theory to explain the plummeting ratings: early daylight saving time, more reruns, bad shows, more shows being recorded or downloaded or streamed. Scariest of all for the networks, however, is the idea that many people are now making their own TV schedules. The industry isn’t equipped to keep track of them.”

Are Niches Killing Our Interest In New Ideas?

As America’s cultural and entertainment spheres continue to splinter into ever-smaller niche markets, Dominic Papatola says that the arts are running the risk of becoming an unending parade of group-think. “Lobbies are one of the dwindling number of places where liberals and conservatives, bulls and bears, for-its and against-its can tolerate standing in proximity to each other. But if the arts become more concerned about speaking to a specific group at the expense of others, patrons will no longer have to face the threat – or the opportunity – of sitting next to someone who doesn’t believe as they do.”

Burns Gives In To Latino Pressure

“Filmmaker Ken Burns reached an agreement yesterday with two advocacy organizations that have pressured him to amend his World War II documentary to include more material about Latinos’ contribution to the American war effort… Burns had faced mounting pressure from activist groups, elected officials and several corporate underwriters over the lack of Latino representation in the film, which focuses on the wartime experiences of people in four U.S. towns.”

Canada Backing Off CanCon Rules?

Canada’s broadcast regulator says that it is prepared to take a more hands-off approach, so long as the country’s broadcasters respect the rules in place. “Observers said the regulator appears to be avoiding a complete deregulation of the TV sector, which critics of the industry have feared would lead to less support for Canadian programming.”

Aspen To Lose Comedy Fest

“The U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, the biggest and most prestigious event of its kind in the country, is abruptly leaving [Aspen, Colorado] after 13 years.” The cost of lodging and life in the tony ski resort town appears to have been a major factor in the decision, but no replacement city has yet been named.

Sketching A Career

“What exactly do you do with a $30,000 diploma from cartoon college?” That’s the question facing the first graduating class at Vermont’s Center for Cartoon Studies. “Graphic novels and comics are one of the fastest-growing sectors of publishing… But it’s a tough business to break into.”

Whither The Cover Art?

As downloads eclipse CD sales, the artists whose work graces the covers of albums are scrambling to adjust to an uncertain digital future. The album cover as a monolithic concept may be on the way out, but there appears to be limitless potential for new ideas and innovations.