Category: issues

“What is the purpose of a national theatre, a national opera or ballet company, a national orchestra, or a national gallery? What is the meaning of the word ‘national’ in those famous organisations? Is it simply a matter of pride and funding, an indication that those particular institutions have the backing of an entire nation, its hopes and dreams of excellence? Or is it more complicated than that: do we expect these arts organisations, above all others, to embody in their work something essential about the nation?”

Critic Dominic Pappatola finds himself uncomfortable about descriptions of Mel Gussow in obituaries last week. “If my obituary happens to focus on my career as a critic, I guess I’d much rather be known as a Champion of Audiences than a Champion of Playwrights. As a journalist, if you begin writing for your sources instead of your readers, you enter an echo chamber. Inside of that chamber, your voice might be resonant. Outside, it’s irrelevant.”

Ah, the age old question, now so endlessly debated it has become one of the great cliches. A new book is about to take up the question once again, and the Observer asks some artists who ought to have some interesting answers…

Routine is the foundation for many things in life. “The myth is that artists are somehow different. That they leap from one peak of inspiration to another. That they reject limits – that this is precisely what makes them artists. But of course that’s not true. Most artists work as the rest of us do, incrementally, day by day, according to their own habits. That most art does not rise above the level of routine has nothing necessarily to do with the value of having a ritual.”

The 90s were the Age of Irony. It was an art, actually… But Scott McLamee sees some distressing signs that irony is… soooo yesterday.

“Four U.S. senators are spearheading the formation of a new bipartisan Senate caucus to promote the vital role the arts and humanities play in American life — a coalition that will likely serve as a strong base of support for pro-arts legislation in Congress’ upper house.”

Lincoln Center has chosen Frank Bennack Jr. as itss new leader. Bennack has been chief executive officer of the Hearst Corporation. “In choosing Mr. Bennack, Lincoln Center appears to be seeking a leader in the tradition of the current chairman, Bruce Crawford: a stabilizing elder statesman with a long track record at the performing arts center. Mr. Bennack is 72 and has been a member of Lincoln Center’s board since 1994 and a vice chairman since 1999, as well as a managing director of the Metropolitan Opera Board.”

A new government agency has been formed in Northern Ireland to “broaden the appeal of the arts” and centralize performance information and online ticketing services for the province’s arts groups.

Arts organizations in Birmingham (UK) are being ordered to submit to a “funding review” by the city council, and have been told that their government grants could be cut or revoked if they refuse. “Birmingham Royal Ballet, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Midlands Art Centre and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre are among 12 companies that have been told they must open their books for inspection. The review will look at the impact of the council’s investment, the contribution of arts organisations to the life of the city and how the council works with each company… The move follows the council’s recent announcement that it plans to provide £5 million for the 12 organisations in 2005/6.”

The man in charge of the troubled World Trade Center project has resigned. “Kevin Rampe’s departure comes at a particularly sensitive moment for a rebuilding effort that has recently been plagued by bad news. The construction of the Freedom Tower, the site’s most prominent structure, is months behind schedule, and faces even greater delays after the New York Police Department last month delivered a disturbing assessment of its security shortcomings. Larry Silverstein, the lead developer of the site, has signaled that he may need hundreds of millions of dollars from the government to address the security concerns.”