Category: issues

“A co-founder of the company that created the ‘Baby Einstein’ videos has asked a judge to order the University of Washington to release records relating to two studies that linked television viewing by young children to attention problems and delayed language development.”

As the Chicago Office of Tourism’s first artist in residence, Jim Lasko had a mission: “to create a 2011 event of epic scale, ‘equal parts public spectacle and urban festival [that] will unite the city in a common celebration.'” He learned recently that “the city no longer was confident that it could raise the funds necessary for his ambitious project.”

“So far, people have donated more than $3 million to relief organizations just by sending text messages. … Haitian-born musician Wyclef Jean was the first to kick off what quickly became the largest mobile phone giving campaign in history.” There are advantages and disadvantages to giving that way.

“Ruth Mackenzie, currently an adviser on cultural policy to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, is to become the director of the Cultural Olympiad. She has also been general director of the Manchester International Festival (MIF) and the artistic director of the Chichester Festival Theatre.”

A research team has “determined that corporate headquarters did have an effect on local donations – to the tune of $3 million to $10 million per corporation. However, the biggest impact wasn’t direct donations from the corporations, but from the well-off individuals they employ (and pay generously).”

Tombs discovered recently at Giza indicate that the builders ate meat regularly and were paid and respected for their work, “so much so that those who died during construction were bestowed the honor of being buried in the tombs near the sacred pyramids of their pharaohs.”

“Arts & Business Chief Executive Colin Tweedy made the prediction as the charity published a survey showing that spending by U.K.-based companies in the year ended March 31, 2009, fell 6 percent to 157.3 million pounds ($254 million).”

“A 1938 alumna has pledged more than $13 million to Ohio University to establish a center for arts education, officials announced yesterday. The gift from Violet L. Patton, 92, is among the 20 largest personal donations in Ohio University history.”

“We need to be vocal now, rather than waiting until the election campaign is properly under way. Whichever party is in power this time next year, it will need to understand that arts cuts may result in short-term gain but long-term damage – not just to the arts economy, but to a range of wider economies, social as well as financial.”

Covent Garden says it will “dedicate a whole day in support of Tickets For Troops, a charity that wants to mark the contribution of those who have served or are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan by organising free tickets to big sporting and cultural events.” Numerous sports organizations have joined the effort, but the ROH is the first big arts institution to do so.