“The Franklin Mint, the company known for its eclectic range of pricey collectibles, from Scarlett O’Hara dolls to miniature John Deere tractors, has closed its 30 retail stores and its museum.”
Blog
Harlem Boys Choir Dumps Leaders
The Boys Choir of Harlem has decided to fire its executive vice president, Horace Turnbull, and strip its founder, Walter Turnbull, of his chief-executive duties. “It was like a ma-and-pa candy store,” says one board member. “He [Walter Turnbull] viewed the choir as his creation and [acted as if] he deserved full entitlement. There were clearly problems which were addressed by the independent members of the board, but there were obstacles at every single step.”
UK Report On Publicly-Funded Arts Projects Is Grim
A report on cultural spending paints a sour picture. “From the building of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre to the restoration of the Royal National Theatre, the Commons Public Accounts Committee report highlights a series of publicly funded projects that went wrong. The report criticises Arts Council England and urges it to spend less cash in London – even though it is the nation’s artistic and cultural hub.”
Remembering Nicholas Goldschmidt
“When he died last Sunday (at age 95), he left the kind of void all unique personalities do. He was one of a kind, this country’s most remarkable cultural entrepreneur, an adopted Canadian who gave native Canadians the confidence to walk tall on the world’s stage.”
Walrus Editor Steps Down
David Berlin, the founding editor of Walrus magazine, produced in Toronto, is unexpectedly stepping down after only three issues. The magazine of arts and ideas has a circulation of 32,000 subscribers. “They are dropping 29,000 to 30,000 on newstands and a 30 per cent sell-through is the industry average. At that rate they are rivalling or outselling Maclean’s on the the newsstand.”
Washington Chamber Group Disbands After 36 Years
The Theater Chamber Players, a “much-admired Washington ensemble that presented a brainy mixture of new and established music” founded by pianist Leon Fleisher and Dina Koston in 1968 is disbanding after 36 years. “The group elected to retire because of differing views on its most appropriate future direction.”
Was Lottery Money Wasted On Arts Buildings?
A parliamentary report says British lottery money is nbeing wasted – pointing to two funded institutions – the National Centre for Popular Music in Sheffield and the Dovecot Arts Centre in Stockton-on-Tees – which closed for lack of visitors. “And it says another £78m spent by Arts Council England is tied up in five projects facing cash problems.”
UK’s Most-Borrowed Author
Who’s the most-borrowed author in British libraries? Children’s writer Jacqueline Wilson. “Her name may not be as famous as JK Rowling but she is hugely popular – her books are “growers” and tend to sell through children’s word of mouth.” And, she’s sold 30 million books.
UK’s Most-Borrowed Author
Who’s the most-borrowed author in British libraries? Children’s writer Jacqueline Wilson. “Her name may not be as famous as JK Rowling but she is hugely popular – her books are “growers” and tend to sell through children’s word of mouth.” And, she’s sold 30 million books.
National Gallery Wins Raphael
London’s National Gallery has managed to buy Raphael’s Madonna of the Pinks and prevent it from being shipped to America. “A price of £22m has been agreed between the gallery and the Duke of Northumberland. The Duke agreed to sell the painting to the J. Paul Getty Museum in California for £35m in September 2002.”