Category: issues

In Canada, A True Brouhaha About Yet Another Well-Funded Artist’s Claim Of Indigenous Identity

Michelle Latimer is the co-creator and director of Canada’s Trickster, a TV series that has won acclaim as an adaptation of an Indigenous writer’s trilogy. But Latimer’s claimed identity has come into serious question. She said she had “prematurely claimed a link without first doing the proper research to back up her belief.” – CBC

The Head Of Americans For The Arts Steps Aside After Many, Many Workplace Complaints

The powerful arts advocacy nonprofit had many successes – but workplace culture wasn’t one of them. “The move comes after a growing chorus of criticism, from current and former AFTA employees and advisory council members, who said that the organization was failing its mission with respect to diversity, equity and inclusion. There were also complaints of sexual harassment, and of a management culture that was built on intimidation instead of transparency.” – The New York Times

Is Making Movies Worth It Right Now?

That’s really what Tom Cruise’s rant was about, and it’s also about the concentration of power during the pandemic, while studios are paying millions to try to keep their productions afloat: “In the short term, this means more projects in the pipeline to keep Tinseltown busy. In the long term, though, the shift only widens Hollywood’s power imbalance, creating an industry dependent on the wealthiest studios and celebrities.” – The Atlantic

As Britain Goes Under A New Lockdown, Insurance Extended For Actors And Crew Members

And independent cinemas are getting support as well, or at least some support. Actors are into it. Gemma Arterton, perhaps also over the streaming discussions: ““We have to support our local cinemas to make sure those special moments can be experienced by generations of children and adults alike, for years to come. Watching a film at home just isn’t the same.” – Variety

Venice’s €6 Billion Flood Barrier Probably Won’t Be Enough

“For all its exquisite engineering, MOSE is essentially a stopgap, a $6 billion duct-tape fix that could work just long enough to induce complacency. The fact that it took so long to design and build means that the technology predated the latest science. … A 2011 UNESCO report concluded that MOSE ‘might be able to avoid flooding for the next few decades, but the sea will eventually rise to a level where even continuous closures will not be able to protect the city from flooding.” – Curbed

It’s Been Six Months, And Australian Arts Organizations Still Haven’t Gotten Any Rescue Fund Money

“The $250m rescue package to arts and cultural organisations affected by Covid was announced in June, … [yet] in October it emerged in budget estimates that still no emergency funding had been disbursed.” Now the government says that some money has been designated for specific organizations, but those groups say no cash has actually arrived. – The Guardian

The Looming Crisis For Immigrant Artists In The US

An O-1B visa is a temporary visa for “individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in motion picture or television industry,” according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Ultimately, it gives an artist permission to work in their job title for up to three years at a time. A crucial component to getting this kind of visa is showing evidence of substantial achievements and showing that you have work lined up for the duration of the visa. Enter Covid. – Dance Magazine

Amid Firestorm, Americans For The Arts CEO Goes On Paid Leave

“Lynch’s decision on Wednesday comes after a Washington Post report revealed widespread condemnation of AFTA by advisory council members and current and former staff, who criticized what they have deemed insufficient efforts toward racial equity, transparency and accountability. The article also described charges of a hostile workplace that included sexual harassment, retaliation and intimidation.” – The Washington Post