Category: issues

An American college “is shutting down an M.B.A. program in Asia to contain a plagiarism epidemic. About 400 students are currently enrolled in the program at locations in Beijing, Shanghai and Taiwan.”

“Frequently, the onset of depression announces a period when an artist cannot find inspiration. Various studies show that suicide is more common amongst creative people. Certainly, they are more likely to suffer frightening mood swings – being particularly creative when elated, but much less so when feelings of inadequacy or worthlessness set in.”

“Arts Council England has emerged unscathed from a major ‘efficiency’ review of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s arm’s length bodies, which has seen both the UK Film Council and the Museums , Libraries and Archives Council abolished.”

“We who lived through ’80s pop culture the first time knew that much of it was bad – overhyped, hokey, formulaic. … Whether these [new] retreads turn out well or badly, they’re going to keep coming, because my generation has been brainwashed to believe that we’re the most important consumers of pop culture ever, and we can’t let go of our feelings of primacy.”

“As the August Wilson Center for African American Culture approaches its first anniversary, it can look back on an inaugural year of dreams fulfilled and debt deferred.” The Center’s new CEO wants nothing less than to make it “the pre-eminent institution for African-American arts and culture in the world.”

“SNP ministers have asked the National Theatre of Scotland, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera to prepare for cuts of up to 10 per cent.”

“Archaeologists said Thursday they have discovered a monument similar to Stonehenge near the ancient stone circle, dubbing it the most exciting find at the site for 50 years.”

“The concept of equal misery for all is a flawed one. A cut of 25 per cent in the arts budget will destroy all kinds of good work, particularly at a grassroots level, and yield savings of a miserly few million pounds. It cannot be in Britain’s long-term interests.”

Does this mean Soros, whose politically liberal, social-activist giving mission in the U.S. has not previously included the arts, is now getting into the arts philanthropy game [long-term]? The answer, alas, is ‘no’.”

“Addressing years of complaints about slow and inconsistent processing of visa applications for foreign performing artists, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services told arts groups this week that it was making an effort to speed up and improve its visa operations.”