Category: issues

“The Canada Council, whose budget will double by 2021, called it an unprecedented, once-in-a-generation investment, while the performers union ACTRA expressed the hope this marked the beginning of a new relationship between government and creators.”

“While it might seem tempting to pit man against machine to determine artistic mastery, perhaps the better approach involves combining human and AI skills, allowing real and artificial neural networks to flex their creative muscles in tandem. As they say, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”

Artists have taken to social media to express contempt for the terrorists who attacked Brussels.

“We need to ask who speaks for the relevant indigenous community, and on what basis. Even who qualifies as indigenous is a vexed question, as is the fact that ‘the indigenous’ rarely speak with one voice. Ethnocentric policies therefore tend to vest authority in anointed chiefs and elders (local equivalents of the privileged white male) … What about those who disagree? And what about those who want to change it, or challenge it from within?”

“Perhaps the single most important finding from the survey document is the number of arts administrators who view the increase in the volume of communication – to and from others – as a real or potential problem; one that is a threat / drain to their most important resource – time.”

“NPR can’t promote NPR One — the lauded, loved app that is basically the future of NPR — to what is literally the group of people that would be most interested in it, NPR radio listeners. NPR is investing substantially in developing podcasts — but it isn’t allowed to tell radio listeners where to find them or how they can listen to them. This seems dumb to a lot of people, both inside and outside public media.”

“Discontent has been growing, and South Africa has faced an unprecedented moral reckoning in the past year. Triggered by a wave of student protests that have often mirrored — and been inspired by — the Black Lives Matter movement in the U.S., the country is in the midst of a roiling debate over race and privilege that has put to the test the enduring myth of a ‘Rainbow Nation.'”

“When I moved to Turkey three years ago — full of curiosity and interest — I could never have imagined that I would be forced to leave the country in such a fashion. Prior to my posting in Istanbul, I had reported for Der Spiegel and Spiegel Online from Pakistan. We thought Istanbul would be quieter than Islamabad, without the terrorism and with greater press freedoms. How wrong we were.”

“Europa Nostra and the EIB Institute – following a firm recommendation from an international advisory panel of experts – decided that the Venice Lagoon in Italy should be declared the most endangered heritage site in Europe, given the paramount importance of this heritage landmark to Europe and the world, as well as the complexity and magnitude of the challenges posed.”