From the groundbreaking news organization that brought you such exclusive reports as “White House Pretty Sure Uzbekistan Diplomat Stole A Bunch Of Soap” comes stunning news concerning the U.S. Congress. It seems that the nation’s top legislative body has accidentally approved a large amount of money to be spent on the arts. Members of Congress are, quite naturally, horrified by the revelation, with the Senate majority leader quoted as barking, “We approved what?” A House member was aghast at the implications of the funding allocation: “This means some limp-wristed NEA member will decide what qualifies as art rather than Congress or the president. Remind me never to skim a bill again, no matter how long it is.”
Tag: 03.12.03
No Light At The End Of The Tunnel In Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is making progress in its fundraising efforts, says the organization’s board chairman, but there is still the potential for a serious cash crunch even before the end of this season. The PSO is prohibited by its bylaws from running a cash shortage, but its reserves are depleted an its endowment, like those of most American orchestras, has lost a full third of its value in the decline of the stock market. “It faces the daunting statistic that Pittsburgh ranks next to last for private donations among the 22 largest orchestras in the United States in per capita donations.”
Seattle Public TV Station On The Rocks
Seattle PBS station KCTS has limped along for years and has a small local presence. It’s also having big money problems. The station is behind on its rent, has been contacting funders to try to cut deals for grants, and has been losing staff. A consultant recommended the station’s president step down, but he hasn’t. “The important thing is that the overall state of the station is in decline, and these are just symptoms.”
Infommercial This!
It’s pledge time again, and Steve Wiecking is disgusted by the programming fare KCTS uses to try to lure pledges. “KCTS supposedly has the world of culture at her fingertips—something she brags about all during her pleas for me to give her money—and what is she airing in order to con me into believing her high-toned hooey? Infomercials. She’s helping hucksters sell their wares and then asking me to pay for it.”
Israel’s Artists Threaten Shutdown
Israel’s arts groups plan to shut down the country’s cultural life June 1 “if the government does not restore funding for artistic productions. Israel, like governments around the world, is facing a budget crisis, and has made deep cuts in cultural funding.
Questioning The Art Of Broadway – Or Is It The Economics?
So Broadway has reopened after the musicians strike and business is back to normal. Or is it? “In the end, the combatants in the great Broadway music strike of ’03 settled their fight in a fashion that leaves unanswered crucial artistic and economic questions. Craftsmen everywhere have ceded their skills to robots. Why wouldn’t this happen on Broadway? Here’s why it shouldn’t: People don’t come to Broadway to see efficiency. Broadway shows are already an economic anachronism. People are willing to pay big bucks to witness the magic of creation. If Broadway’s producers forget that, they will wreck an important local industry.”
Graphic Details Emerge In Polanski Case
TheSmokingGun.com specializes in unearthing incriminating documents about celebrities. The site’s latest revelation brings to light graphic testimony, previously sealed and unavailable to the public, from the statutory rape trial of director Roman Polanski, who is nominated for an Oscar this year. Polanski was accused of sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl, and the trial transcripts “include the girl testifying that the pair’s illicit romps at Hollywood hot shot Jack Nicholson’s house included anal and oral sex.” The new information could derail Polanski’s comeback bid at the Academy Awards, despite the now-39-year-old victim’s insistence that she has forgiven him.
Minneapolis To Close Libraries
A year ago, Minneapolis was planning an impressive new downtown library, and trumpeting the value of the project to the city and the entire metro area. Now, the new library may be on hold, and city officials are planning to shutter four branch libraries for the remainder of 2003 in an effort to deal with the severe budget cuts being handed down by the legislature. Minnesota has a budget deficit of nearly $5 billion for the next biennium, and the state’s largest city is facing massive cuts in services as a result. Closing the branch libraries is expected to save the city $2 million.
Auction Houses To Pay Off Plaintiffs
When former Sotheby’s chairman Alfred Taubman was convicted of price-fixing in 2001, a flood of lawsuits were filed by collectors who had paid the inflated prices created by the collusion between the auction house and its main rival, Christie’s. The auction houses have already paid more than $512 million to resolve such claims in the U.S., and now, a settlement has been reached for each house to pay an additional $20 million for claims from overseas buyers. $20 million is a drop in the revenue bucket for the world’s two largest auction houses, and observers say that the settlement is great news for Christie’s and Sotheby’s.
Vision vs. Practicality
“Will Alsop, the acclaimed British architect, stormed the gates of Toronto more than two years ago and convinced the Ontario College of Art and Design that he was their man… Today, the fireworks get shut down so that some tough decisions can be made about how to get OCAD built by next January.” The major issue to be discussed is the building’s cladding – what exactly the outher facade will be made of. Cost is an issue, as is durability, and, of course, visual appeal. Lisa Rochon says a decision needs to be made, and soon.