Category: issues

In response to the financial crisis, the head of the Kennedy Center and the arts’ Mr, Fixit writes, “We need an emergency grant for arts organizations in America, and we need legislation that allows unusual access to endowments. Washington must encourage foundations to increase their spending rates during this crisis, and we need immediate tax breaks for corporate giving.”

“The Penrod Society, which grants money to local arts groups and puts on one of the city’s best-known art fairs, has had all of its funds stolen, and the group believes it was an inside job. Police are investigating the theft of $380,000 from the organization. Penrod officials say it was embezzled by its former assistant treasurer.”

“So your cellphone has a brushed-metal shell, can flip and slide four ways and has more buttons than an airplane cockpit. Big deal. The new status symbol is what your phone can do – count calories, teach Spanish, simulate a flute, or fling a monkey from a tree.”

“Cultural experts are puzzled. None of them can explain why the trend has caught on. It’s just one of those things. They do, however, give the impression that if you don’t learn all about the new trend as quickly as possible, you’ll be in the minority.”

“Wales’ top literary festival is looking at whether it can help rescue the Brecon Jazz festival. The Hay Festival, held every summer just 18 miles away, already has ties with the music event and its director Peter Florence says it wants to help. Brecon Jazz announced earlier this month it had ceased trading after suffering a ‘substantial loss’.”

“U.S. foundations that invested with Bernard Madoff donated more than $73 million to nonprofit organizations in 2007, according to a tally based on foundation tax returns.”

“With Debbie Chinn’s arrival in the fall to become Center Stage’s managing director, for the first time in history, the city’s three largest arts groups are being headed entirely by women.” That is, Center Stage (artistic director: Irene Lewis), the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (music director: Marin Alsop), and the Baltimore Museum of Art (director: Doreen Bolger). “Never before have women in Baltimore’s art scene held so much power.”

“I believe the president should create a cabinet-level position — a secretary of culture — to provide more cohesive leadership for these impressive programs and to assure that they receive the recognition and financing they deserve.”

“In May, Us Weekly editor Janice Min told the New York Times, ‘When you look at the great celebrity dramas of the last few years, you have Team Aniston, Team Jolie, Team Heidi and Team Lauren. And now we have Team Hillary and Team Barack.'” With a historic election and major issues at stake, it wasn’t so fun to gawk at Amy Winehouse anymore.