Michigan’s governor proposes cutting state arts funding by 50 percent. “The steep cuts, which left $11.8 million for arts grants, are a particularly bitter pill for arts groups because the bleak economy has already forced corporations and foundations to slash their arts giving. In addition, arts institutions have seen investment income from endowments plummet along with the stock market.”
Tag: 03.07.03
Broadway Musicians On Strike
“Early this morning the union representing Broadway musicians announced it was on strike, but theater producers said talks would continue through the day.” This is the first Broadway musicians strike in 25 years.
This Year’s National Medal Of Arts Winners:
Country singer George Jones, Motown legend Smokey Robinson, Florence Knoll Bassett, the designer and architect; Trisha Brown, the dancer and choreographer; Philippe de Montebello, the art historian and director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art; Uta Hagen, the actor and teacher; Lawrence Halprin, the landscape architect; the late Al Hirschfeld, the artist and show business caricaturist; and Ming Cho Lee, the set designer and educator.
What To Do With Controversial Australia National Museum Review?
Officials are wondering what to do with a controversial review of the National Museum of Australia. One thing they’re not doing so far is making the findings public. “The review was set up against a background of debate about the presentation of indigenous history, which has pitted the celebratory ‘three cheers’ view of the impact of white settlement against the black-armband view so disapproved of by the Prime Minister, John Howard. It has been criticised by several historians as politically driven, a motive denied by the council’s chairman.”
Opera Australia’s New Boss
In taking on the top job at Opera Australia, conductor Roger Hickox committed to “moving to Sydney, fund-raising and programming one new Australian opera every two years.” Mr Hickox, 55, was the unanimous choice of the board and the advisory committee. He was among a four-person shortlist that included two Australians. Mr Hickox has been involved with the company since 1994 and has conducted five operas for it.”