Category: issues

Seventy-four percent of prosecuted cases in New York are for misdemeanors, according to a 2017 report from NYC Criminal Justice Agency. Instead of clogging up the courts Project Reset tries to change behaviors and hope that will be more effective in reducing recidivism. – CityLab

“For some time now, diverse staff working in larger publicly funded arts organisations, and in particular those producing work that is aimed at the mainstream, have debated how to help their organisations see that their value is not as ‘the representative of disabled audiences’ or ‘the font of expertise on all trans issues’. It cannot rest on individuals to bring others into the light of inclusion.” – Arts Professional

The performance-competitions that were made famous by the documentary Paris Is Burning, introduced the world to voguing, and arguably inspired RuPaul’s Drag Race have generally judged their participants and winners on “realness” — the ability to pass as the real thing for whatever the category. Ballroom veteran Sydney Baloue makes a case that, while it was needed as the ballroom scene was born and grew, the concept of “realness” may no longer be necessary and might actually be damaging. – The New York Times

In the past, many actors would list these expenses as miscellaneous itemized deductions on their taxes. But the 2017 tax reform law eliminated that provision, affecting thousands of performing artists who had used those deductions for work-related expenses. Now unions representing Hollywood performers are pushing Congress to fix the problem. – Los Angeles Times

“The Orlando Ballet signed a contract with the [Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts] on Tuesday morning after protracted negotiations that saw accusations of unreasonable demands amid high-profile social-media and mass-mailing campaigns to sway public opinion. Opera Orlando and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra are still in discussions, an arts-center spokeswoman said, but ‘we anticipate signing agreements with them soon.'” – Orlando Sentinel

“We’ve known for a long time that the Art Institutes lied to students about losing accreditation. Now, we know that the Department of Education misled them, too,” said Eric Rothschild, an attorney at the National Student Legal Defense Network who is representing the students. – Washington Post

“Part of the appeal is the sheer human spectacle provided by costumed attendees (or playtrons, in Renfaire-ese). Though the village is ostensibly set in the 16th century, it most accurately represents an era that might be called the Age of Ribaldry.” – CityLab

“A meeting of Australia’s arts and cultural ministers in Adelaide … has seen a major overhaul of the way the Major Performing Arts sector is funded through the Australia Council for the Arts, and contemporary circus company Circa – whose Artistic Director Yaron Lifschitz once described the system as a ‘protectorate of the privileged’ – welcomed into the fold of Major Performing Arts companies.” – Limelight (Australia)