“Total 2012 giving to charities was $316.23 billion, up by 3.5 percent over 2011, according to estimates … Adjusted for inflation, that represents just a 1.5 percent increase in donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations.”
Category: issues
America’s Most Endangered Heritage
“Houston’s Astrodome and the Gay Head lighthouse on Martha’s Vineyard are two of 11 endangered places to be cited Wednesday by the National Trust for Historic Preservation on its annual list of sites at risk of damage or destruction.”
State Of California Chops Arts Funding
“The budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year that begins July 1 includes $5.024 million for the California Arts Council — $412,000 less than its current funding.”
Arts And Culture Is America’s Fastest-Growing Philanthropic Cause
“In terms of donations, arts and culture was Americans’ fastest-growing charitable cause in 2012, rising an estimated 7.8% to $14.44 billion, according to a leading annual research report on charitable giving.”
A Buddhist Monk Confronts Suicide In Japan
“Larissa MacFarquhar … talks with Sasha Weiss about the culture of suicide in Japan and how Ittetsu Nemoto’s belief in suffering as a path to self-knowledge has prepared him to help the suicidal.”
Police Begin Investigation Into Embezzlement During Bolshoi Renovation
“Russia’s Interior Ministry has launched a criminal probe on allegations that some 90 million rubles ($3 million) was embezzled during the six-year reconstruction of the Bolshoi Theater that ended in 2011.”
Sacramento Lags In Arts Funding And Economic Benefits, Finds Study
The most recent “Arts and Economic Prosperity” study from Americans for the Arts finds that arts organizers pumped $82 million into the region’s economy (with attendees contributing almost $30 million more), but that, compared to cities of similar size such as Portland and Indianapolis, Sacramento sees less arts spending and notably less economic benefit.
Portland, Oregon Struggles To Collect Arts Tax
“The arts tax has been something of a comedy of errors every since voters approved it with a “yes” vote of 62 percent in November.”
Greek Government Relents A Tiny Bit On Public Broadcasting Station
“A small number of people could be hired to produce news and current affairs programmes until a new public service broadcaster is set up.”
Why Have Egyptian Artists Stormed And Occupied Government Offices?
“The angry protesters say the firing is an example of how the ruling Muslim Brotherhood is trying to control Egypt’s cultural scene through the new minister. Some fear the Islamists are trying to suppress artistic expression that runs counter to their conservatism.”