Author: ArtsJournal2

Writing The Future, When The Future Isn’t White

N.K. Jemisin won three Hugo Awards in a row for her Broken Earth trilogy, a science fictional world where the protagonist is a middle-aged Black woman (and mother). But to get to that point, she’d had to bend to publishers’ desires for mostly white characters in her previous trilogy. So excuse her if she now takes on Lovecraftian evil – yes, Cthulhu, but “with a group of diverse characters facing off against it – and against, pointedly, the man-bunned alt-right trolls it recruits to fight for it.”  – The Guardian (UK)

The Signs Of Our Time

Streetscapes aren’t looking too great right now in many cities. And “museums and galleries around the world have locked their doors as people wait out the coronavirus pandemic in isolation. But works of street art, cropping up on bare walls and boarded-up storefronts across urban landscapes, are offering images of beauty and hope to those venturing out for exercise.” – The New York Times

An Arts Donor On Life, And Giving, During The Shutdown

In Oregon, arts organizations know Ronni Lacroute, and she knows what they need – usually. Right now, says the philanthropist, things are just a bit different: “The way I donate hasn’t really changed. It’s more flexible. It’s like, ‘Okay, here’s an annual donation. Now, if this, then spend it on this. If that, then spend it on that.’ And generally, it’s people first. … It’s more about people than about venues.” – Oregon ArtsWatch

Actors Quarantined At Home Are Making A New Form Of Theatre Using Virtual Reality

A virtual reality piece released last October seemed like a wild, enjoyable experiment at the time. But now, the piece (which, not incidentally, is keeping at least 18 actors employed) “shows one potential way forward, a future where the worlds of home technology and theater coalesce to build not just fresh experiences but carve out new business models.” – Los Angeles Times

Edward James Olmos Thinks Hollywood Needs To Step Up Its Understanding Of Latinx Actors

The Oscar nominee (for Stand and Deliver) is quarantining alone and promoting a virtual film festival in Los Angeles. Of his friends who are Latino actors, he says, “We want to be known as American actors. That’d be the correct way, but it isn’t. And I knew it would never be in my lifetime. I knew that we had to first be known as American Latinos, and carry that very strongly and proudly, for us to then be able to not have to use it anymore.” – The New York Times

Furloughed SFMOMA Staff Ask Management To Do More

The staff want to more info, and they want to see more sacrifices from the folks at the top. “Although the federal loan received by the museum may offer some relief, SFMOMA’s workers continue to ask the questions that have resounded across the cultural sector for weeks: why, with such wealth, are museums choosing to leave staff in the lurch, many of whom held tenuous positions to begin with? And why aren’t their wealthy benefactors, to whom a handful of millions represents a minimal fraction of their assets, help sustain them?” – Hyperallergic

How Do You Get A Book That Will Explain Covid-19 To Children Written, Published, And Translated Into 45 Languages?

Axel Sheffler is used to being alone at home as he works on illustrating books. But his publisher had heard from a teacher friend that kids weren’t doing as well. The result: A swiftly published, free book with facts and honesty about what we know and don’t know about social distancing and more. “Like all good children’s stories, the book ends on a positive note. There’s a picture of families, doctors and nurses celebrating together and the caption reads: ‘One day this strange time will be over.'” – BBC