Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony may not have been the work of a Black composer. But Dvořák embraced the African-American experience to a degree that would be controversial today. – Joseph Horowitz
Perhaps predictably, the announcement received backlash on social media, particularly from right-wing circles. Many, inside and out of these circles, accused the Academy of stifling creativity or promoting tokenization. However, many others say that the rules are far less onerous than they’re perceived to be—and that most films won’t have to change their approach at … Continue reading “Debate About Oscars’ New Diversity Rules”
Predictably, the backlash has already begun. The Academy’s announcement was greeted on its own website by comments including: “You ruined the Oscars. It’s no longer about a cinema as a genre of art. Now it’s totally about politics,” and “forced diversity lowers quality of the product”. – The Guardian
While the persistent lag in hiring minorities is arguably a manifestation of museums’ systemic racism, it is also a “pipeline problem” — the relative scarcity of well-trained minority candidates. But if a museum official were to state this publicly, it would likely be dismissed as a cop-out. – Lee Rosenbaum
Under the plan, Mayor Bill de Blasio promised to hold august institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Carnegie Hall accountable for hiring more members of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups and for making their boards of directors and other leadership ranks more inclusive. But the Department of Cultural Affairs did not set numerical … Continue reading “NYC’s Ambitious Arts Diversity Plan? Who Can Tell What’s Working?”
Some of the people who make visual effects for Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters believe they have found a way to help: By embracing open source, they want to open up doors for traditionally underrepresented communities. – Protocol
One solution that all five instrumentalists opposed was changing the orchestral world’s blind audition process in which candidates try out behind curtains or screens. In a July article in the New York Times, music critic Anthony Tommasini argued that such an approach was no longer tenable and that orchestras had to take more “proactive steps” … Continue reading “Five Musicians Talk About Diversity In Chicago Orchestras”
Written by two former employees and one current staff member and signed by almost 70 others, the petition alleges sexual and racial harassment at the federally funded institution and calls for broad changes to make it a more diverse, equitable and transparent institution. – Washington Post
“The U.K. public broadcaster is also putting into place a mandatory 20-percent diverse-talent target for all new commissions as it plans ‘bold steps that will help make the BBC an instrument of real change.’” – The Hollywood Reporter
Choral music has unique diversity issues that are more subtle than those in the instrumental world. Because of my work as a publisher and composer, I am particularly interested in the representation of our programming as well as in leadership and overall participation. Unlike orchestral programming, many choral music programs consist of music by living … Continue reading “What Diversity Means In The Choral World”
