Category: issues

What’s likely to happen to the major overhaul of Scottish arts policy proposed last June? Not much, if things continue the way they’ve been going. “Senior figures involved in producing the landmark report of the Cultural Commission, which was published in June with more than 100 ideas to transform the arts, believe much of its work is being “ignored” or neutered by Scottish Executive officials. Crucial momentum has been lost, the report is being “cherry picked”, and civil service caution will lead to the avoidance of radical change in the world of the arts, insiders warn.”

There seems to be an awful rush to tear down buildings in New Orleans and rebuild. But what about historic preservation? “What’s needed first are conscientious, comprehensive surveys conducted by experts in construction, architecture, engineering and preservation–people who can examine an older building’s condition, evaluate its historical and architectural significance and determine the feasibility or advisability of saving it.”

Hundreds of Italian cultural events ground to a halt Saturday in a one-day strike to protest government arts-funding cuts. “A performance of Rossini’s Barber of Seville at Milan’s La Scala opera house was among scores of cancelled shows. Critics say the cuts could lead to the demise of thousands of cultural institutions, including such venerated events as the Venice Film Festival. ‘In these conditions, the film festival cannot go ahead’.”

Italy’s public culture has shut down in a country-wide one-day strike. “Cinemas, theatres, concert halls and opera houses and even circuses in Italy will be empty today because of a combined strike and lockout in protest at huge cuts to the arts budget ordered by Silvio Berlusconi’s government. Impresarios and distributors are to join actors and musicians in the initiative. The draft budget for next year lops about a third off the main fund for the performing arts. Cultural institutions said they faced reductions of up to 40% in resources.”

The United States is opposing a major new UNESCO convention on cultural diversity. “The convention’s supporters argue that the treaty will protect and promote cultural diversity in the face of cultural globalization, but the United States believes it is intended to restrict exports of American audiovisual products, particularly Hollywood movies and television programs.”

“Of the 50 states, the analysis found, 33 increased their state arts appropriations, 10 made cuts, and seven remained the same in comparison to the 2005 fiscal year. According to the report, this translates into a $21.9 million overall increase, or about 8%.”

An ongoing feud between the mayor of Richmond, Virginia and backers of a new performing arts center ratcheted up several notches this week when representatives of the PAC attempted to deliver a check for $2 million to the city. Under the terms of a 2004 agreement between the city and the PAC, the land on which the center is to be built will revert to city control in 2007 if a building permit is not secured by that time, unless the PAC chooses to pay the city $2 million. PAC officials decided to exercise that clause early, after months of wrangling with the mayor and other opponents of the project. But the mayor directed the city to refuse the check, and declared the entire 2004 agreement void, saying that PAC leaders were trying to buy the land well below market value.

The discussion of whether the Richmond PAC’s agreement with the city is null and void may be headed for a court battle, and the city’s mayor has struck a defiant tone, saying “Let’s get it on! It doesn’t bother me. Heck, courts scare other people, not me.”. The foundation supporting the PAC has called a news conference for this morning to respond to the city’s refusal of a $2 million buyout, and unless some accomodation is reached between the warring sides, it seems likely that a court will have to make the final decision on the future of the project.

Madison, Wisconsin’s new Overture Center for the Performing Arts has been hailed by audiences and critics since opening last year, and the center is expected to operate in the black for the foreseeable future. But long-term financing is enough of a concern that the city’s mayor is floating a plan under which Madison would buy the center for $1 and operate it directly, rather than partnering with a development corporation in a refinancing deal which exposes the city to some future financial risk. “Representatives from several Overture Center resident arts groups, including the Madison Ballet, the Madison Repertory Theatre and the Madison Symphony Orchestra, came out strongly against city ownership Monday.”

Italy’s right-wing government has announced plans to slash arts funding by a whopping €260 million ($312.8 million) per year. The cuts, which are being loudly opposed by Italy’s cultural leaders, would fall hardest on the Venice Film Festival, and would also have serious consequences for La Scala and the Venice Biennale, among others. “Workers’ organisations and actors’ unions in the Italian film industry have called for a strike, to be held on Friday, and they are urging theatres to follow suit.”