Library patrons in Santa Cruz, California are seeing signs warning them about the snooping powers of the US Patriot Act, which allows governments authorities to see who has checked out which books. “The signs, posted in the 10 county branches last week and on the library’s Web site, also inform the reader that the USA Patriot Act “prohibits library workers from informing you if federal agents have obtained records about you.”
Tag: 03.10.03
The Fund-Raising Machine
If it seems like performing arts groups are forever begging their subscribers and benefactors for money, it’s only because they are. Ticket revenue doesn’t begin to cover the cost of operations for orchestras, theatres, and dance companies, and the rest of the budget must be made up from endowment revenue (if the organization is lucky enough to have an endowment) and annual contributions. Most patrons don’t really understand how the funding mechanism works, but in an era of budget cuts and fiscal crisis in the arts, it is increasingly important for the fund-raising machine to function smoothly and efficiently.
State Arts Funding – Going, Going…
States across America are cutting arts funding. “To be sure, it is an extraordinarily difficult time for state budgets. In the mid- to late ’90s, the states enjoyed healthy revenue streams and almost universally cut taxes and increased spending, including on programs mandated by the federal government (like Medicaid and standardized testing). Now, as the economy enters a second year of doldrums, the states — 49 of which are constitutionally required to keep a balanced budget, unlike the federal government—are paying the price for their earlier optimism. Nor does the horizon look particularly rosy, thanks to the federal budget policy being pursued by the Bush administration. With the president calling not only for elimination of the dividend tax, but an acceleration of the 2001 tax cuts, states are not likely to see more revenue any time soon.”
NY Mayor Enters Broadway Strike Talks
New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has entered the Broadway musicians strike dispute. He’s invited producers and the musicians union to negotiate at the mayor’s residence. “I am encouraged that theater owners, producers and the musicians’ union have taken the city up on its offer, and I am determined that they reach an agreement so Broadway can come back to life.”
(Almost) Alive With The Sound Of Music
So the Broadway strike is about live music, right? But for a long time now you really couldn’t trust your ears in the theatre. “Many Broadway musical moments remain mostly live and somewhat pure, the creation of soaring talents onstage and sawing string players and the like offstage. But more and more, the sound of music on Broadway is being artificially enhanced, with volumes amplified and instruments synthesized as if the theater district were one big recording studio.”
How Do Women Look On TV?
The National Organization for Women studies the American primte time TV schedule to see how women are portrayed. “How accurately did the 2002 television season reflect real life? What conclusions might one make about gender, race, sex, violence and social issues in the United States after watching the six major networks?” The NOW Foundation attempted to answer these questions.”
Broadway – We’re All In Favor Of Live Music Here – Right?
Broadway producers say they want to keep live music alive in theatres, but that creative staff should be determining how many musicians should be hired, not unions. “Still, almost every major composer, orchestrator and musical director on Broadway has signed a petition to keep the minimums. So it appears that a good percentage of the creative staff has already spoken.” And so far, the strike has cost New York $7 million.
“Chicago” Takes Screen Actors Guild Awards
The movie version of “Chicago” wins three of five 2002 Screen Actors Guild awards.
Judge Dismisses Writer’s Claim For Multi-Million-Dollar “Finder’s Fee”
A New York judge has dismissed a claim by writer Hector Feliciano, who claimed he should get a “finder’s fee” for helping to locate artwork looted by the Nazis in World War II. Feliciano “created an international sensation with his 1994 book, ‘The Lost Museum: The Nazi Conspiracy to Steal the World’s Greatest Works of Art,’ which focused attention on the missing artworks. He maintained that he was entitled to 17.5 percent of the estimated $39 million value of the paintings, an amount he said was ‘consistent with the standard art recovery fee of the industry’.”
Conflicting Loyalties In Broadway Strike
Leaders of the stagehands union had told Broadway producers that the union would cross picket lines, but union members voted not to. “Among both actors and stagehands, some were frustrated that while they were walking the picket lines, the musicians failed to return to the negotiating table all weekend. Several actors also say that, in part, they felt compelled to support the musicians out of self-interest; they have a labor negotiation coming up in June 2004 and may need the musicians to back them.”