“The Metropolitan Kansas City Performing Arts Center has made its most important personnel decision since selecting architect Moshe Safdie to design the facility in 2000. On Tuesday the center’s board announced the appointment of Jane Chu, 48, as president and chief executive officer of the facility… Locally Chu is known as a fund-raising powerhouse with research-based knowledge of performing-arts facilities. Toward her doctoral dissertation she is examining the finances and staffing of nearly 100 centers around the United States.”
Tag: 07.18.06
Emmy Staff Defends New Nomination System
This year’s Emmy nominations process changed, and many critics were perplexed by some of the nominations. But Emmy spokemen say the experiment was a success. “Historically, the biggest criticism of Emmy nominations has been that they’re a popularity contest because they’re chosen by a popular ballot. Lower-rated networks like FX and the WB weren’t getting a fair shake, so we gave them their day in court.”
Study: Canadian Film Industry Shrinks
“In 2004, 688 films were made in Canada, down from 728 in 2001 and production revenue over the three years fell 10.6 per cent to $1.49 billion, the agency reported on Tuesday. However, total revenue for film and video production rose 10.9 per cent to $2.9 billion because of growth in non-production activities such as broadcasting and film distribution.”
Why Computers Beat Humans
Here’s “something researchers have known for decades: that mathematical models generally make more accurate predictions than humans do. Studies have shown that models can better predict, for example, the success or failure of a business start-up, the likelihood of recidivism and parole violation, and future performance in graduate school. They also trump humans at making various medical diagnoses, picking the winning dogs at the racetrack and competing in online auctions. Computer-based decision-making has also grown increasingly popular in credit scoring, the insurance industry and some corners of Wall Street.”
New Poet Laureate To Bow At First Lady’s Book Fest
“The sixth annual Laura Bush National Book Festival Sept. 30 in Washington, D.C., will give new U.S. poet laureate Donald Hall his first public platform since he was named to the ceremonial post last month.”
The Art Of Sound (Or Is It The Sound Of Art?)
“Much of today’s sound art wasn’t possible until recently, for lack of appropriate technology. ‘Sound art is one of the simplest and most complex things. By moving air, you can make people get very emotional’.”
Kabul Bookseller’s Wife Applies For Asylum
Suraya Rais, the wife of an Afghan bookseller depicted in the international bestseller The Bookseller of Kabul is applying for asylum in Europe because she claims the book has endangered her life.
Guthrie Ends Transitional Year In The Black
“The Guthrie Theater announced Monday that it had a happy ending to its 2005-2006 fiscal year, finishing in the black for the 10th straight year, despite an expected drop in attendance as the company ended its tenure at one venue and began in another.”
Ruling: Tate Broke Law In Buying Ofili Work
Britain’s Charity Commission has ruled that the Tate Museum broke the law when it cought a £600,000 work by Chris Ofili. “Most major art institutions are set up as charities. By law, trustees cannot receive monetary benefit from their charity without express permission, usually from the commission. The Tate failed to seek permission, not only in the case of the Ofili work, The Upper Room, but in 17 previous purchases of work by artist-trustees going back 50 years.”
Sotheby’s Sales Gaining On No. 1 Christie’s
“Sotheby’s first-half art sales totaled $1.96 billion, according to the company’s Web site. They were helped by Pablo Picasso’s ‘Dora Maar au Chat,’ which took $95.2 million at a New York auction in May. Christie’s estimated total was ‘in excess of’ $2.09 billion.”