Category: issues

An EU plan that would have given artists a 4 percent cut every time one of their works was sold in Europe has been voted down. BBC

Lives in the arts celebrated Sunday in Washington DC. New York Times

Enough with the millennium already. Most people can’t even spell it. And then there are all these books rooting around for some way to make sense of….what? Evening Standard

It’s the end of the century, the millennium. Time to reflect. But who has time to keep up with the information of the past month, let alone 100 or 1000 years? Overload in the Age of Information. National Post

Gala reopening of Covent Garden was marked by the determination of all involved that nothing should go amiss. The Observer

Once thought of as the imperial heart of culture in an acultural town, the Kennedy Center has transformed itself into a place for all people. New York Times

Two US senators claim violence on television is actually up 30 percent since Congress raised concerns in 1997.“This is an industry that’s stiffing us, an industry that’s simply not responding to these appeals from across the country.” Variety

Washington Post critic complained in his review that the show he was writing about was too short. No kidding! Don’t leave at intermission then. Here’s the day-after correction. Washington Post

• And: Read the original review

A rundown of legislation and funding pertaining to the arts that made it through the final US Congressional session of the century. Backstage

Covent Garden opens tonight, but what should have been a grand opening celebration is marred by things left undone to the last minute. This is not right, writes critic Norman Lebrecht: “Much of our cultural map is a mosaic of mediocrity and make-do. Covent Garden exists to excel.” London Telegraph

• And: Queen opens house tonight. BBC 12/1/99
• PLACIDO DOMINGO AND THE QUEEN: Covent Garden reopens in gala. See video of the opening. See pictures. BBC 12/2/99