It’s not just Americans broadcasting their living spaces to the world in the hopes of finding digital company. In the midst of a pandemic, kids with smartphones and wireless access and unlimited free time are showing us what a room looks like globally. American teenagers are watching TikTok videos from countries that are two or three weeks ahead of the United States in quarantine measures, peering into the life they will soon be living. – The Atlantic
Blog
City Of Seattle Announces Emergency Rent And Financial Support For The Arts
“This is 9/11 meets The Great Recession meets the snowstorm,” Randy Engstrom, director of the city’s Office of Arts and Culture (OAC), said during an online public meeting Tuesday afternoon. “We know we’re going to get through this together — and this is our time.” – Seattle Times
Finally We’re Learning Online
If there is a silver lining in this crisis, it may be that the virus is forcing us to use the internet as it was always meant to be used — to connect with one another, share information and resources, and come up with collective solutions to urgent problems. It’s the healthy, humane version of digital culture we usually see only in schmaltzy TV commercials, where everyone is constantly using a smartphone to visit far-flung grandparents and read bedtime stories to kids. – The New York Times
Some Practical Suggestions For Arts Organizations Struggling To Survive
Michael Kaiser: “For many, it is a lack of clarity on the duration of the crisis that causes the most anxiety. Should we proceed with rehearsals for a new production scheduled for May? Do we issue next season’s subscription brochure? Should we move forward with our capital campaign? Will our reserves outlast the downturn, or are more drastic measures necessary? These are some of the sensible and challenging questions we have heard from arts leaders across the nation.” – DeVos Institute
Skateboard Delivery? Recommendations? A Simple Chat? Book Shops Get Creative
“The authors I contacted all jumped at the chance to do something to benefit both the bookstore and those readers facing isolation, even though many of those authors themselves are entering a period of great uncertainty.” – The Guardian
Sobering Prospects For The Books Industry
The potential long-term effects for book retailers are sobering. Many in the industry are worried that independent bookstores will be devastated as local and state officials mandate social distancing and order some businesses to temporarily close. – The New York Times
The Big Stop On The Political Book Circuit? It’s Not In D.C., It’s In L.A.
Writers Bloc, a series of talks, readings and discussions, pulls in sold-out crowds for the likes of Rachel Maddow, Cory Booker, Joy Reid, Elizabeth Warren, and the Pod Save America guys. Yes, in La-La Land. – The New York Times
Crisis as Opportunity
With my lens as an advocate for community engagement, I think of the many (many, many) people who have told me they just don’t have time to devote to making connections with their communities. There are too many other tasks to do. But now … – Doug Borwick
Covid’s Metamorphoses: How Coronavirus Has Transformed the Artworld
Last Wednesday, the Met invited me to the press preview for the 150th anniversary show Making the Met; Thursday, the museum announced it was closing. On Mar. 11, the Association of Art Museum Directors began a running list of member institutions that had closed; as of today, all of them have. – Lee Rosenbaum
Met Opera Cites Force Majeure And Cancels Soloist Contracts
Five days ago, the largest opera company by budget in the United States released a statement to the press that all rehearsals and performances through the end of the month would be cancelled due to Coronavirus.
Multiple soloists currently engaged at the Met confirm they found out about their lost work via a Tweet. – Middle Class Artist