Design For MoMA’s Expansion Rethinks Entire Approach To Displaying Art

“The final design for the Museum of Modern Art’s $400 million expansion project … is striking and provocative less because of its look than its implicit message: MoMA isn’t modern yet. Under the new plans, the museum is moving away from discipline-specific galleries that feature established artists – many of them white men – and toward more chronological and thematic approaches that include multiple formats as well as more minority and female artists.”

A Suggestion For What To Do With The Noose Left At DC’s African American Museum – Add It To The Collection

“Linda St. Thomas, a Smithsonian spokeswoman, points out that the noose (one of two found in or near a Smithsonian museum this week) is in the possession of the Park Police and instrumental to a criminal investigation. Incorporating it into the museum would also set unwanted precedents and give hatemongers unwanted power over determining the content of the museum’s collection. And some would no doubt see incorporating it in the Smithsonian holdings as a kind of honor paid to the object itself. But this is a fundamental misunderstanding of what the Smithsonian does, a misunderstanding worth pondering for a moment.”

Ron Howard To Direct Pavarotti Biopic

The untitled documentary will be produced with the full cooperation of the Pavarotti Estate, Universal Music Classics and Decca Records. Studiocanal and White Horse Pictures will also oversee international sales while White Horse will direct North American sales. No release date has been set.

Ken Lam Named Music Director Of Illinois Symphony In Springfield

“After a season-long search, Ken Lam has been announced as the new music director for the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, replacing Alastair Willis, who left the position vacant when he ended his contract early back in 2015. … Lam will continue with his current position as music director with the Charleston [South Carolina] Symphony Orchestra and will be commuting between the two cities.”

In Britain’s Election, The Parties Are Taking Culture Seriously

“Labour will create a £1 billion Cultural Capital Fund to invest in and upgrade the UK’s cultural facilities. It will be among the biggest ever arts infrastructure funds to boost arts, music, theatre, literature and more. We’ll create an arts pupil premium worth £160 million a year, to allow every primary school child in England the chance to learn an instrument, take part in drama and dance and have regular access to a theatre, gallery or museum.”