Tag: 04.29.03

NJ Arts Supporters Fight Funding Cuts

New Jersey arts supporters flood the state capital as debate begins on cutting or eliminating arts funding. “Altogether, funding for art groups and historical programs accounts for about $40 million each year. With the money, the groups maintain they are able to provide education programs and support to local historical groups. The cultural and arts money also is used to fund groups such as theater troupes and even print books. Proponents maintain the money is repaid to the tune of $1 billion each year. At issue is the economic effectiveness of the programs.”

Smithsonian’s Change Of Gallery – A Political Move?

Did the Smithsonian move an exhibition of Arctic photographs to a less prominent gallery under political pressure? That’s the contention of the photographer and a US Senator. “Last month, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) displayed the photographs and book as part of her argument against approving oil and gas leasing in the refuge. ‘After Boxer spoke, I got a call [saying] that it was perceived by the Smithsonian that my work had a political side,’ says the artist. A spokesman for the Natural History Museum, said there had been no political pressure to move the photographs. ‘Our decision was not based on Senator Boxer, but it didn’t help. We do not want to become involved in a debate over standing legislation’.”

Dick Lit – Oh, The Tales I Could Tell…

“A new brand of literature has arisen to feed the 20-something guys’ need to read. An antithesis to Chick Lit, this hot new typology has been dubbed Dick Lit by pundits and the British press. The term implies if the penis could talk it’d tell a travelogue’s worth of tawdry tales of the places it has been. The common thread, however, is not the search for sex, but success.”

Sawallisch Cancels Concert

Philadelphia Orchestra music director Wolfgang Sawallisch cancelled an appearance with the orchestra last night. He’s in his final season with the orchestra, and has been fatigued for some time. “He’s just had a continuation of feeling dizzy and tired, particularly after he conducts. It’s the reason he canceled concerts in Europe in December, and when he got here he was feeling those symptoms.”

A 9/11 Memorial – All Ideas Considered

Guidelines are released for a memorial for 9/11. “The guidelines say that competitors may create a memorial ‘of any type, shape, height or concept,’ that includes five physical elements: a recognition of each victim of the attacks; an area for quiet contemplation; a separate area for visitation by the families of the victims; a 2,500-square-foot area for the unidentified human remains collected at the trade center site; and a way to make visible the footprints of the original twin towers.”

Harry By-The-Numbers

“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix goes on sale June 21 with a record printing of 8.5 million copies. Priced at $29.99, it is 896 pages long, has 36 chapters and 255,000 words. The not-so-simple questions: Is ‘Phoenix,’ the most expensive children’s novel, priced too high? Will there be sticker shock? Will children read a book 896 pages long? Will libraries be able to afford enough copies in an era of budget cuts?”

No White Knight For Florida Philharmonic (So Far)

So far no one has stepped forward to help bail out the Florida Philharmonic, which needs to raise $20 million by Friday so it can stay in business. “The Philharmonic, which has run deficits ranging from $900,000 to $3.6 million each year since 1999, needs about $4 million right away, Lewis said. The orchestra can make its May 9 payroll but will run out of money before it can pay employees on May 23. ‘What is difficult for me as a potential donor . . . is to hear that the orchestra has been so badly managed before and now we should trust you to make a better orchestra.”

Why They Love Saatchi

Charles Saatchi’s new gallery is a big success. “More than 4,000 a day have passed through the wood-panelled monument to civic bureaucracy since it opened to the public on 17 April, turning one man’s fancy into one of the must-sees on London’s tourist map. It was always bound to be a hit. The Saatchi name is a bigger brand than any that Charles ever represented in his advertising days. The gallery is its latest, logical manifestation, embracing some of the most iconic objects of the end of the 20th century. All that remains to be resolved is whether it can live up to its own exquisite hype.”