Category: issues

Lawrence Wilker, who presided over a period of enormous growth as president of the Kennedy Center, has resigned. The center was $7 million in debt when he began the job in 1991. He succeeded in eliminating the red ink and more than doubling its annual fund-raising from $14 million his first year to $32.8 million in 1999. – Washington Post

— stepping down to join internet firm. – New York Times

Britain’s on a museum-building kick. But where will the visitors come from to see all the new attractions, wonder critics? Never fear, the government has a plan – next year it will slash admission fees for many of the country’s museums, down from £7.50 to £1. The plan is estimated to cost the government about £7.1 million in lost admit fees. – BBC

In the past year, the heads of all six of Hartford’s major arts institutions have left, along with a number of leaders of the city’s second-tier groups. No, the city didn’t suddenly become arts-unfriendly, and each of the arts leaders left for different reasons. But unquestionably the demands on modern-day arts administrators have increased. “Today’s arts honchos are called upon to grow, increase, enlarge, build. And in Hartford, they are seen not only as custodians of their own institutions’ destinies but as key figures in the fitful revitalization of the city itself.” – Hartford Courant

Three times a week since December, about 20 protesters have gathered outside the new Barnes & Noble store in Flagstaff, Arizona to protest the superstore retailer’s presence in their community. “I find it disturbing that communities can’t fight the intrusion of these giant chain stores unless they have a legal apparatus behind them, because big corporate trans-nationals have the legal muscle to sue cities that try to keep them out.” – Publishers Weekly

France’s cultural minister is perplexed by why so many French choose to live in Britain. Some 60,000 French nationals are registered as living in Britain but officials suspect that the figure may be as high as 180,000, with half of those in London. After a high-profile French model decamped to London, the French culture minister growled: “If you move to London, what you save on tax, you’ll lose in rent and healthcare, not to mention the metro train service.” – Yahoo! (Reuters)

Beginning in 2003, Florida’s public universities will require that all incoming freshmen have taken 19 academic courses in high school – four more than are required now. To fit in all the extra work, students may have to give up elective courses in the arts, computers, vocational studies and ROTC. The requirement has arts teachers and guidance counselors worried that the focus on academics threatens the continued success of everything from high school marching bands to popular magnet high schools. – St. Petersburg Times

The general population is living longer these days. And so are artists. So maybe it’s time to re-evaluate what we expect of older creative artists. – New York Times

A study released by the European Fine Art Foundation predicts that next year the European art market’s sales figures will lag behind those of the U.S. market for the first time. Who’s responsible? Analysts are pointing their fingers at a range of factors: stringent EU tax regulations, increasing competition among auction houses, a dearth of available masterworks, and the success of Internet auctioneers. “The very nature of the art business is in flux.” – Time (Europe)

Many of Britain’s major arts institutions are now being run by foreigners. Not to worry though. They seem primarily interested in using their tenure to spruce up their resumes for the next job. “For the new breed of arriviste, an English appointment is merely a staging post; the country is becoming an extension of the flight connections lounge at Heathrow.” – The Observer (UK)