Bohemias – And Bohemians – Don’t Just Spring Up Out Of Tax Breaks

USC urban planning prof Elizabeth Currid-Halkett takes a look at the history of arts districts in light of the NEA’s new funding initiatives. “Using art as a development tool is like working with quicksilver: it’s hard to know which path it might take, and a tough proposition when dealing with taxpayers’ money and foundation grants.”

A Conductor Slows Down, Just A Bit, But Keeps On Knitting

As the London Symphony Orchestra’s Colin Davis arrives at Carnegie Hall, he ponders what it means to lead an orchestra when he’s 84. “Conductors are paid to think, and that’s what the job should be about: sitting at home thinking, what is this piece? How can I set it up to sound its best and live on, because there’s nothing to replace it with just yet? This is what absorbs the mind. Especially in old age.”