Category: issues

“What is art? Art is anything an artist calls art. An artist is someone who makes or does something she or he thinks of as art. Making pictures can be called graphic art, but it is quite likely to have nothing to do with art whatsoever.”

“The harbor-front district, known as City Park, is to be a major hub for music, performing and visual arts that includes living spaces, galleries and studios. The project is considered to be the largest current cultural project in the world, Mr. Foster’s firm said.”

Rahm Emanuel, Chicago’s mayor-elect, signaled his intent to “raise up” the arts in Chicago, especially in the neighborhoods, and previewed a major generational and cultural shift at a City Hall about to be run by a confident leader who listens to the alternative rock band Wilco, likes the darker plays at Steppenwolf Theatre and American Theater Company and is not about to stop hanging out at rock venues like Schubas or the Riviera Theatre.

“Ten years ago, London’s home of the high arts was broken and almost bankrupt. Now, with high-risk shows and queues round the block, it’s all swagger.”

“Federal funding totaling $40 million for the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ educational programs, arts education grants for the disabled and grants to train arts teachers are just some of the arts-related programs on the chopping block as Congress and the Obama administration wrangle over how much to cut the 2010-11 federal budget.”

The modern history wing of the National Museum in Beijing has reopened after a three-year renovation, “but exhibits in the sprawling facility skip over some of the country’s most momentous – and sensitive – events.” (These include not just the Tienanmen Square uprising, but also Mao’s Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution.)

The end is in sight for the long-delayed, notoriously expensive renovation of Moscow’s legendary ballet/opera house, which was said to be near collapse when it closed in 2005. The auditorium is being restored to its 19th-century condition, while modernized facilities include a dual revolving stage and an enlarged, movable orchestra pit.

“Hard American power may or may not be in decline. But American cultural influence is prevailing. It has infected us deep inside.”

Chris Smith is “one of many high-profile figures outlining concern about cuts to local authority funding and how they could affect arts organisations. He said he was even more concerned about local funding than Arts Council England cuts, which will be announced at the end of this month.”

Governor Scott Walker proposes cutting $1.6 million or about 68% percent of the budget for the Wisconsin Arts Board, which would be merged into the Department of Tourism. He also would eliminate the state’s Percent for Art program.