Ownership Of Heritage? It’s Complicated

“Heritage is piously declared the legacy of all humanity. But the possessive jealousies of particular claimants pose huge obstacles to our global common inheritance. Confining possession to some while excluding others is the raison d’être of most heritage. Created to generate and protect group interests, it benefits us mainly if withheld from others…”

Tate – If Not A Museum, Then…

The Tate is not oficially registered as a museum. “The gallery is currently in the anomalous position of not being among the 1,800 museums accredited to the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). It is the only nationally-funded museum without this status. The reason for Tate being outside the MLA scheme is simple: it refuses to accept its guidelines on deaccessioning, which are part of a much broader set of standards.”

Wales Goes Dancing

Wales’ culture minister says things are well for dance in his country. “There is no doubt that there is much to celebrate in dance in Wales at present. Young dancers from Wales are making names for themselves, particularly in contemporary dance. We have seen dance performances from international ballet companies such as the Kirov for the first time in Wales as well as innovative productions from our own dance companies such as Earthfall, Diversions and India Dance Wales.”

New Policy For A New Radio Landscape

Canada needs a new official policy on commercial radio. “We no longer have one single and regulated system of radio services delivered over the public airwaves and free of charge to Canadians. Instead, we have both a regulated system of the past and a largely unregulated, parallel system of new delivery platforms for audio content.”

Jerry Lewis Gets France’s Highest Honor

Jerry Lewis was awarded the French Legion of Honor this week. “Lewis received the honorary title of ‘Legion Commander’ in a raucous ceremony in Paris – hamming it up for the cameras, winking, sticking out his tongue and making his trademark funny faces. True to form, the comedian turned what is generally a sober event – set in a gilded hall of the Ministry of Culture – into a virtual slapstick routine.”