“Foundations have long been, for good and ill, the least accountable major institutions in America.” They “operate within an insulated culture that tolerates an inappropriate level of secrecy and even arrogance in their treatment of grant-seekers, grant-receivers, the wider civic sector, and the public officials charged with oversight. This needs to change.”
Tag: 01.22.07
Looking On While SAM Expands
The Seattle Art Museum is expanding in high-profile ways. The just-p[ened Olympic Sculpture Park is getting raves, but Jim Russell’s first look at the museum’s new expandion of its main building shows something less interesting…
Louvre Sets Another Attendance Record
“The Paris landmark attracted approximately 8.3 million visitors in 2006, up from the 7.5 million it saw in 2005, the museum said in a statement on Sunday. The attendance of both French citizens and foreigners has increased steadily over the past few years, Louvre officials said.”
Recording Labels Set Up Digital Agency
“Independent labels around the world have set up an agency, Merlin, to cut deals with download sites and mobile services on their behalf. The downloads will be sold in the MP3 format, meaning they can be played on any portable music player.”
Hammer Throw – Some Potential Good
Last week it was announced that LA’s Hammer Museum “would divide the Hammer art collection in two. Of 195 works, 103 will remain with the museum. The other 92 will be turned over to the Armand Hammer Foundation, from whence they all came.” So maybe there’s an opportunity lurking to aid the LA County Museum of Art?
Italy’s Best Opera House (Hint: It’s Not In Milan)
“Despite budget cuts that have plagued all of Italy’s art institutions, the San Carlo [in Naples] has managed to stage innovative programs that lure longtime devotees as well as young newcomers–unlike its chief rival, Milan’s La Scala, which tends toward big, old-fashioned shows that are fed as much by tourists as by locals. More than half of La Scala’s ticket sales are by the day, while the San Carlo’s are primarily by season.”