Louise Gluck has been chosen as the next US Poet Laureate. “The selection will be officially announced Friday by the Librarian of Congress, who said in a statement that Gluck (rhymes with pick) will bring to the office “a strong, vivid, deep poetic voice.” She is a professor of English at Williams College.
Tag: 08.28.03
San Jose Considers Privatizing City Theatres
San Jose is considering privatizing the management of the city’s public theatres. The city’s arts groups are concerned. “In light of a $4 million loss at the city-run McEnery Convention Center in 2002, the mayor’s office sees privatization as a possible way to run the buildings more efficiently. However, the Mayor’s Budget Message Task Force, an ad hoc advisory committee of representatives from local arts groups, has urged the city to consider the impact on local groups as well the bottom line when determining who will manage the facilities.”
Has Multicultural SBS TV Outlived Itself?
When Australia’s SBS TV was established, it was “an indulgence by the Fraser government and, some say, a sop to the growing electoral power of Australia’s ethnic communities. But SBS was a world-first idea that, for relatively few taxpayer dollars, managed to deliver reasonable value for money. It was never expected to be a ratings leader, but after 25 years it seems to be treading water. With 3.5 per cent of the night-time audience in Melbourne in the week before last – the most recent week for which complete audience statistics are available – it is not doing well.”