“Rocked by a budget crisis, Brandeis University will close its Rose Art Museum and sell off a 6,000-object collection that includes work by such contemporary masters as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Nam June Paik. The move shocked local arts leaders and drew harsh criticism from the Association of College and University Museums and Galleries. Rose Art Museum director Michael Rush declined comment this evening, saying he had just learned of the decision.”
Tag: 01.26.09
Dearth Of School Libraries Compounds A Crisis In Philly
“Though Philadelphia’s public library services recently landed on the chopping block, the city’s public school students have watched school library services dwindle for years. Today, more than half of the district’s 281 schools have no library staff. In one region, it’s up to 78 percent. … So if some city libraries close, the district is woefully underprepared to pick up the slack for its 167,000 students, library supporters said.”
When Isn’t It Too Cold (Or Hot, Or Humid) To Play Outside?
“Inauguration organizers admitted on Friday that while Yo-Yo Ma and his fellow musicians were playing live onstage at the ceremony last week, they weren’t miked…. The musicians explained that the temperature conditions would have ruined the sound. What are the optimal climatic conditions for playing an instrument?”
Nigella’s Better Half Seeks Next ‘Sensation’ On Small Screen
“A new X Factor style television talent show will attempt to discover the next British art sensation. The BBC Two show, presented by advertising boss and art collector Charles Saatchi, is open to all aspiring artists. Finalists will be tutored by leading contemporary artists before exhibiting their work in St Petersburg, Russia.”
Guernica Tapestry, Long At UN, Will Visit Whitechapel
“A tapestry of Picasso’s Guernica, which was at the centre of a row just before the invasion of Iraq, is to go on display at the Whitechapel Art Gallery on 5 April. It currently hangs at United Nations headquarters in New York, just outside the Security Council chamber.”
Nederlander Buys Rights To Jacko Jukebox Musical
“The Nederlander Organization has acquired the rights to produce a musical version of Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller,’ the organization announced today.” Based on the “Thriller” video, the musical is authorized by Jackson, which sets it apart from the current Michael Jackson tribute show in the West End.
In Triumph For Moderates, SAG Chief Is Ousted
“Doug Allen is stepping down as national executive director and chief negotiator of the Screen Actors Guild following a brutal internal battle over how he’s handled SAG’s long-stalled negotiations. … The move came a few hours after SAG’s elected delivered a ‘written assent’ document to SAG headquarters in Hollywood authorizing the replacement of Allen as national executive director.”
Streaming Video Boosts Netflix’s Revenue Stream
“Netflix showed little sign of the economic slowdown that’s been nailing other companies this corporate earnings season. But it attributed its fourth-quarter jump in revenue, profit and subscribers to a surprising factor: surging popularity of its online video streaming service.”
Seattle Arts – Ticket Sales Strong, Endowments Down
Demand for tickets to Seattle arts events is good. But organizations’ endowments are down and corporate support has declined.
Cameron Mackintosh On Theatre’s Bright Future
“TV and the theatre have always been intertwined. Who could have thought ten years ago that prime time TV would promote musical theatre and that there would be so many programmes about musicals – it’s marvellous. That is why the theatre is working.”