“Starting in April, it took 18 workers 25 days to install more than 250 priceless pieces in ‘The Life of Animals in Japanese Art,’ the National Gallery of Art’s summer exhibition that has delighted visitors and drawn critical raves. But two weeks ago, about halfway through its 11-week run, the museum gave much of it a makeover. On purpose.” – The Washington Post
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Baltimore Symphony Management Releases Most Recent Audit, And It’s Even More Dire Than You Thought
“The audit, conducted by SC&H Group and dated July 15, … suggests that the arts group is in such grave financial straits that neither the legislated cash infusion from the state nor the reduced expense of a shortened season might be enough to save it.” – The Baltimore Sun
Paul McCartney Will Turn ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ Into A Stage Musical
“[The 77-year-old ex-Beatle] will write music and lyrics for the project. Lee Hall, author of Billy Elliot and screenwriter for the recent Elton John biopic Rocketman, is also writing lyrics and the show’s book.” – The Guardian
At Least This Time It’s Not Classical Music They’re Using To Chase Away Homeless People
City officials in West Palm Beach, Florida have been playing an endless loop of the songs “Baby Shark” and “Raining Tacos” to drive away a group of homeless people who’d been camping on the patio of a banquet hall. “The city has previously attempted to use classical music to deter drug dealers, but the unit powering the speakers was smashed.” – The Guardian
Study: Smartphone Users More Comfortable Expressing Emotions With Emojis Than In a Phone Call
The majority of respondents (65%) said they are more comfortable expressing their emotions through emojis than a phone call. That number rises to 83% among Gen Z users, who represent the largest segment of media audience, according to the 2017 Nielsen Total Audience Report. – Hyperallergic
Louvre Removes Sackler Name From Its Walls
The move follows a widely publicized protest PAIN Sackler held together with the French group Aides Paris outside the Louvre. On July 1, the activists gathered outside the museum’s central pyramid to demand the removal of the Sackler name from 12 rooms in the Sackler Wing of Oriental Antiquities, previously named the Cour Carrée Wing of Antiquities. – Hyperallergic
What Musicians Are “Terrified” Of In 2019
Basically – burnout. The need to be on all the time. It’s not just performances, it’s the living life in public on social media, creating a persona and constantly interacting with a public you hope you have. – BBC
Why One Trustee Quit The Board Of The British Museum
Ahdaf Soueif: “Public cultural institutions have a responsibility: not only a professional one towards their work, but a moral one in the way they position themselves in relation to ethical and political questions. The world is caught up in battles over climate change, vicious and widening inequality, the residual heritage of colonialism, questions of democracy, citizenship and human rights. On all these issues the museum needs to take a clear ethical position.” London Review of Books
Because Of Aggressive Theatregoers, Ushers In London Have Started Wearing Body Cameras
“It is thought that having visible cameras that are clearly recording situations will help staff feel more empowered, and reports from West End trials found that aggressive individuals had backed down when seeing themselves being recorded.” – The Stage
The World’s Latest New Opera House – In Hangzhou
“There is a competition amongst Chinese cities to create new destinations, each with their iconic cultural landmarks,” said Claude Godefroy, design director at Henning Larsen’s Hong Kong office. – dezeen