Tag: 01.05.09

In Museums’ Fight For Survival, How Far Is Too Far?

“[A]s the recession affects both public and private funding sources, the economic pains are being felt across the museum world — from the large institutions with sizable endowments and hefty ticket prices, to the small museums that scrape by on government funding. … This funding crisis has led to some soul-searching about how far a museum may go to stay open.”

Ian Rankin Pushes For More Books In Braille

“On the 200th anniversary of the birth of Braille’s inventor, bestselling crime writer Ian Rankin has launched a campaign calling on writers, publishers and booksellers to make more books available to the visually impaired. Rankin is also backing an appeal to raise £2m to rehouse the UK’s leading Braille printing press, the Scottish Braille Press, which is struggling to meet demand with its current premises.”

Waterford Wedgwood, Cracked And Chipped

“This morning, I was about to eat my breakfast cereal from a robust, plain blue bowl…. And then I heard on the radio that Waterford Wedgwood, makers of Britain’s best-known ceramics, as well as Ireland’s most famous crystal and glassware, was in the hands of receivers and, effectively, up for grabs.” Jonathan Glancey on the significance of Waterford Wedgwood.

Indeed, Sir, The Artist Was Not Jock McTitian

“A painting by Titian has sparked a political row after the Scottish Government confirmed it had pledged a ‘significant sum’ towards its purchase. It followed newspaper reports that the government was contributing £17.5m towards acquiring the work of art. … But Glasgow MP, Ian Davidson, questioned the logic of spending such large sums during an economic downturn.”

Mrs. Bush Went To Washington (How Big Is Her Advance?)

“Laura Bush has sold a memoir of her eight years in the White House, allowing the battered book industry the light relief of speculating on the size of the advance paid to a high-profile author.” In the first lady’s favor: “the success of American Wife, a fictional account of Mrs Bush’s life by novelist Curtis Sittenfeld, indicated strong interest in the first lady that could justify a high fee.”

Arts Deals For Maryland’s Furloughed State Workers

“Maryland Citizens for the Arts, an advocacy group that has been active for more than 25 years, announced that several organizations have joined an effort to support the 67,000 state employees who are facing furloughs as part of a budget-balancing move. The employees will be able to obtain various deals, including free or discounted tickets….”