“PBS program execs plan to begin a formal process of judging primetime programs by predetermined goals, including minimum ratings levels, outreach successes and other factors. Programs that fail to meet goals may lose PBS funding or slots in the schedule.”
Tag: 04.26.04
Can Artists Create A Balanced Picture Of Islam?
With the entire world seemingly caught up in conflicts involving radical Islam, it is becoming ever-more imperative that residents of primarily non-Islamic countries gain some sort of cultural recognition of the broader scope of Islamic culture. In Australia, the city of Melbourne is uniquely positioned to make such an educational push, say Greg Barns and Jane Rankin-Reid, but it will require a concerted effort on the part of the city’s artistic and cultural institutions.
The Evolution Of Silly Book Marketing Techniques
Book tours suck. With the demise of truly local TV in most major markets, authors making the rounds are forced to spend most of their days in bookstores, signing endless copies of their tomes for marked-up sale to the type of book junkie who likes that kind of thing. “A signed book [has quickly become] a sine qua non for collectors. The best comparison I can think of is to the dust jacket. Until 50 years ago, the book’s paper wrapper was there to draw attention in a store, and to protect the book until someone actually sat down and read it. At that time it was commonly discarded—which is why so few books with intact dust jackets survive from those early days.”
Wage Gap Between Soloists And Orchestra Players Causes Discord
The gap between what orchestra musicians earn and what star soloists and conductors earn is wide. And causing some unhappiness in the ranks. “A typically eminent conductor earns, per concert, about a quarter as much as the typical full-time player earns all year. Given that most freelance orchestral contractors can expect as little as £75 per concert, the fees lavished on top conductors and soloists can rankle.”
Museums Can’t Survive On Will Alone
“Since it moved into its cavernous new home, the story at [Detroit’s] Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History has been one of managerial blunders, lax oversight and financial calamity,” according to a newspaper investigation. The museum was pushed and cajoled into existence in the late 1990s with little in the way of realistic planning or appropriate funding, and the city has pumped $13 million into the institution since then. Now, with the museum unable to balance its books and in danger of not making each new payroll, a lack of business sense and basic accountability is being blamed for the mess.
Tough Times For PBS
“In recent years, PBS has suffered through the same downturn in foundation, corporate and individual giving that has hit other non-profits. It has lost longtime program sponsors — most notably Exxon Mobil, which had underwritten “Masterpiece Theatre,” one of PBS’s signature series, to the tune of $300 million over 35 years. At the same time, viewership has eroded on a national level.”
Plan To Boost London Arts Big Time
A new initiative aims to raise the value of London’s arts industry by a third to £32 billion and create 200,000 new jobs in 10 years. “London’s creative industries currently employ 500,000 people and are responsible for one in five of all new jobs in the capital. But an investigation by the mayor’s Commission for the Creative Industries found the industry lacks international recognition, and young entrepreneurs often struggle to get financial backing.”
The Passion To See “Passion” (Or Not)
“With Mel Gibson’s blockbuster earning more than $355 million Sunday at the box office and energizing evangelicals and conservative Catholics across the United States, some devout Christians have found themselves facing a dilemma. They prefer not to view the film, because of its violent and gory nature or its traditionalist orientation, but feel pressure from pastors and other Christians to go. Some even say they are made to feel anti-Christian for not joining in the ‘buzz’ surrounding the film at their Sunday services.”
Tech And Big Entertainment Cozying Up
It wasn’t too long ago that entertainment companies were at war with tech companies. No more. “With growth slowing in both entertainment and technology, players on both sides started to accept an uncomfortable reality: they simply could not afford to go on fighting. The ability to deliver movies and music over the Internet in a pirate-proof format could mean big money for movie and record companies, which have long complained about the expenses of manufacturing and distributing their wares. And as Apple is proving – it now sells more iPods than Macintoshes – there are equally fat profits for those who can ease the distribution and consumption of digital entertainment. The result is what looks like a beautiful new friendship.”
Latin Music Languishes
“The Billboard Latin Music Conference celebrates its 15th birthday in Miami Beach this week. But instead of the coming-out festiveness typical of a quince, conferencegoers will wrestle with the financial and creative crisis facing an industry that makes Miami-Dade County its home.”