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National Arts News
Trading Places by Carol Kino
Slate, July 28, 2003
Cultural property disputes are reshaping the art world—but how?
article
H.R.7 Scheduled for House Mark Up
House Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas made it official Friday afternoon.
His committee will meet to mark up H.R. 7, the Charitable Giving Act,
on September 4th. The announcement will force at least an interim resolution
in the ongoing debate over how to treat private foundation's administrative
expenses. info
2002 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts
by the National Endowment for the Arts
Although they changed travel and other plans, Americans continued to attend
arts events in the twelve months after September 11, 2002 – based
on the 2002 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (SPPA). Nearly
one-third of adults reported going to at least one jazz, classical music,
opera, musical, play or ballet performance during the twelve months ending
August 2002, not including elementary or high school performances. About
one-quarter of adults said they visited an art museum or gallery. Combined,
39 percent of adults, or 81 million people, attended these type of events.
study.pdf
As Arts Funding Flounders, States Seek Tax Alternatives
by Leonard Jacobs
Backstage.com July 15, 2003
Now that most state governments have reached accord on their budgets,
the day-after discussions among arts advocates are underway. Virtually
every state arts council received an appropriations decrease, and as Back
Stage has reported in recent weeks, some cuts are draconian: 30% in Minnesota,
62% in Massachusetts, almost 80% in Florida, and a near defunding in Colorado.
Compared to this, the cut sustained by the New York State Council on the
Arts -- 15% -- seems almost benign. article
Gioia: Lean NEA Is Best by Leonard Jacobs
Backstage.com July 10, 2003
Chair Criticizes European Arts Subsidies, Cites State Funding 'Crisis'
article
Free Expression in Arts Funding: A Public Policy
Report, 2003
"The result of almost two years of research, Free Expression Policy
Project 's newest report surveys free expression policies among state
and local arts agencies, including procedures for anticipating and handling
controversy..." report
The 5.4 Percent Solution by Daniel Gross
MSN Slate, July 3, 2003
“Who could oppose a piece of legislation called the Charitable Giving
Act of 2003? The nation's largest charitable givers, that's who.”
article
State Arts Funding Under Siege by Leonard
Jacobs
Backstage.com, July 3, 2003
Draconian cuts loom as many states' new fiscal years begin article
Can the National Endowment for the Arts Matter?
Speech by Dana Gioia, Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts
National Press Club, Washington, DC, June 30, 2003
The transcript of the Chair’s vision for the future of the NEA.
article
Orgs Opposing Charitable Giving
Legislation by Leonard Jacobs
Backstage.com, June 30, 2003
Arts Foundation President assesses pros and cons of H.R. 7 article
NEA Chief Sees Crisis in Arts Funding
by Carl Hartman
Salon.com, June 30, 2003
“State governments have cut their spending on the arts an average
21 percent over the past two years, and some are considering removing
them from their budgets, says the new chairman of the National Endowment
for the Arts.” article
Actors Voting on Merger of Actors Union
by Gary Gentile
Yahoo News, June 30, 2003
“Movie and television actors will decide Tuesday whether it is better
to join forces in the face of media consolidation or to veto another in
a long line of attempts to create a unified actors union.” article
How to Kill Orchestras by Bernard Holland
The New York Times, June 29, 2003
“As American orchestras lick their wounds, or die of them, the blame
falls on fleeing contributors, bad management and disappearing audiences.
Maybe these are symptoms, not causes.” article
US Arts Funding In Crisis
by Jason Edward Kaufman
The Art Newspaper
State governors want to slash subsidies for cultural groups; corporate,
foundation and individual gifts are in decline, and the government is
considering repealing the estate tax. article
New Report Surveys Free Expression Policies Among
State And Local Arts Agencies by Free Expression Policy Project
The result of almost two years of research, FEPP's newest report surveys
free expression policies among state and local arts agencies, including
procedures for anticipating and handling controversy. Its purpose is to
provide the arts community, as well as others interested in censorship
or cultural policy, with solid research that will enable grant-making
agencies to take a principled stand on artistic freedom without alienating
their audiences or losing their funding. For more information on the project,
visit
here, complete report in .pdf
format
Enhanced Protection of Our Cultural
Heritage Act of 2003, S. 1271
Referred to Senate committee - 6/17/2003
A bill to enhance the criminal penalties for illegal trafficking of archeological
resources, and for other purposes. bill
Center for Arts and Culture President
speaks about the United States rejoining UNESCO
On Monday, June 16, Center President Ellen Lovell spoke with WAMU radio's
Kojo Nnamdi and other guests about challenges and opportunities posed
by our country's re-entry into UNESCO, the UN's Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization. Listen to the archived show online through
http://www.wamu.org
Fast forward to minute 22:40 for the segment on UNESCO.
Will UNESCO Become an Extension
of US Foreign Policy? by Jason Edward Kaufman
The Art Newspaper
Congress is expected to approve a $71.4 million payment to UNESCO, the
first US contribution in 18 years. article
Government support of arts is strong, NEA chief
says by Damien Jaques
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 13, 2003
"As a sign that the National Endowment for the Arts has recovered
from the controversies of its past, its new chairman, Dana Gioia, told
more than 500 theater professionals meeting here that the agency is close
to getting a $1 million grant from the U.S. Defense Department to fund
touring Shakespeare plays to American military bases." Gioia, speaking
in Milwaukee at the annual conference of the Theatre Communications Group
is determined to increase NEA funding with the Administration and Congress
"by making a compelling case, by showing an unmet need." article
U.S. Arts Face 'Devastating' Cuts by
Darren Waters
BBC News, June 12, 2003
"Publicly-funded arts organisations across the US are facing potential
cuts of $100m (£69m) from coffers this year, as state governments
slash budgets in order to save costs. " Over the past year, 42 states
have cut their funding to the arts by a cumulative 13 percent with more
cuts likely in the year ahead. article
Foundations Roiled by Measure to Spur Increase
in Charity by Stephanie Strom
New York Times, May 19, 2003
“The House is considering a bill that could force the nation's foundations
to give away more of their money to charity each year, creating a potential
windfall of billions of dollars for nonprofit groups.” article
Cuts in arts crimp the economy by Robert Lynch
Detroit Free Press, May 21, 2003
In this op-ed, Robert Lynch, head of American for the Arts, argues that
government investment in the arts returns $8 in economic activity per
every dollar spent. State and local governments should think of arts funding
as "a cornerstone of tourism, economic development and the revitalization
of many downtowns. When governments increase their support for the arts,
they are generating tax revenues, jobs and the creative energies that
underlie much of what makes America so extraordinary." article
The End of Arts Funding? by Douglas McLennan
MSNBC News, May 29, 2003
The NEA stayed alive during the culture wars, but its survival strategy
may have done more harm than good. article
Culture Funding in Lean Times by Daniel Grant
Opinion Journal, June 11, 2003
“These are difficult days for traditional arts advocates. In the
wake of major budget deficits some state arts agencies have been cut back
substantially (more than 60% in both California and Massachusetts) or
been targeted by legislators for elimination (Arizona, Colorado, Missouri
and New Jersey).” article
To expand coverage under the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act,
H.R. 2248
Referred to House committee – May 22, 2003 info
International Arts News
So You Think You've Had It Up To Ear With Modern Art... by Paul
Harris
The Guardian (UK), August 3, 2003
An artist has caused outrage by planning to graft a biotech ear on to
his arm article
Council Decision 'Will Not Stop Exhibition of
Skinless Corpses' by Jeanette Oldham
The Scotsman, July 30, 2003
“The organisers of an exhibition involving the skinless body of
a child have insisted it will go ahead today, despite being refused a
venue by Edinburgh City Council.” article
The Age of Unenlightenment by Steve Dow
The Age (Melbourne), July 28, 2003
Fear and social conservatism means fewer opportunities for multicultural
and "non-Anglo" arts. article
Crisis Forces Berlin to Bring Down the Curtain on Arts Subsidies
by Ben Aris
The Guardian, July 29, 2003
“Willi Gossman was angry. The general director of Podewil, one of
Berlin's leading avant garde dance companies, had seen his funding disappear
along with that of other cultural institutions.” article
Museums Handed £2m Cash Boost
BBC News (UK Edition), July 21, 2003
“A cash injection of £2m has been handed to museums and art
galleries to improve public access and presentation, the government has
announced. A total of 14 institutions will receive grants from the government,
with payments ranging from £3,000 to £400,000.” article
Saving Art for the Nation Explained
BBC News (UK Edition), July 23, 2003
“Raphael's Madonna of the Pinks could now be saved for the nation
after a lottery fund stepped in to give the National Gallery £11.5m
to help it bid for the art work. But how are works of art "saved"
in this way? BBC News Online outlines the obstacles in the way of exporting
important works of art.” article
Social Security Benefits for Artists
by Arts Hub
International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies, July 09,
2003
There is little argument across the world that the arts industry is a
significant and relevant contributor to society. Governments have initiated
reports researching the sector, national arts councils have been established,
funding – usually via subsidies and grants – is meted out
to those considered worthy. What then of the notion of a social security
benefit specifically to support the arts industry? There are a few countries
– Netherlands, New Zealand, Ireland and the UK – that have
some sort of social welfare scheme already in place. article.pdf
A Museum of Political Democracy? by Samson
Spanier
The Art Newspaper, July 16, 2003
The British Parliament is improving its art collection, which may eventually
become a separate museum. article
Walkout Brings Avignon Festival to a Halt
(AP) The Guardian, July 9, 2003
“The campaign by France's 135,000 freelance performing arts, film
and television professionals, in support of a uniquely generous system
of unemployment insurance that guarantees them a reasonable income between
jobs, is backed by some 67% of the public, according to an opinion poll
this week.” article
Scheme Saves £40m Art Treasures
(AP) BBC News, July 8, 2003
“Art treasures valued at £40m have been saved for the nation
in the past year by people donating art works rather than paying inheritance
tax.” article
Barenboim Wins Berlin Debate over
Opera Houses by Susan Shineberg
The Chicago Tribune, July 7, 2003
”The collective sigh of relief throughout Berlin's opera world is
almost audible. The future of the German capital's three big opera houses,
including Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director Daniel Barenboim beloved
Staatsoper, has been secured in a last-minute bail-out by the federal
government.” article
Musicians Attack Licensing Laws
BBC News, UK Edition, July 4, 2003
The Musicians' Union has criticized a move which will force pubs, clubs
and cafes to apply for entertainment licenses for any form of amplified
live music. article
Performers Threaten To Halt 650
French Festivals In Support Of Unemployed
by Paul Webster
The Guardian, July 1, 2003
“All France's 650 summer cultural festivals face cancellation because
of a protest by performers, musicians, dancers, stage managers and technicians
that is likely to halt next week's Avignon festival.” article
Strikes Disrupt Festivals in France by
Elaine Sciolino
New York Times, June 30, 2003
“It is a time-honored summer ritual in France: a marathon of culture
in cities and towns throughout the country. But this year's performing
arts festivals are in jeopardy because of strikes by workers in the arts
over tougher regulations for unemployment benefits.” article
Strikes Threaten French Art Festivals
by AFP
Expatica, June 30, 2003
“Artistic workers staged strikes across France on Monday over new
regulations governing their unemployment benefits, imperiling a host of
summer events including the prestigious Avignon theater festival.”
article
Berlin Opera Merger Likely After Federal Official
Rules Out Aid (DPA)
Andante, June 27, 2003
“In a paradox of operatic proportions, officials are drawing up
plans to close of one of Berlin's three opera houses even as fans clamour
for tickets to see Luciano Pavarotti in Tosca.” article
Are Access And Excellence Mutually Exclusive?
by Charlotte Higgins
The Guardian, June 18, 2003
”No one, it seems, can have a discussion these days about arts funding
without coming up against two apparently opposing terms: "access"
and "excellence". There are many in the arts world who believe
that the government's obsession with education and diversity has actually
obscured what artists aim to do - produce wonderful work. But are "access"
and "excellence" mutually exclusive? Are there too many strings
attached to arts funding? Has the government been too utilitarian in its
view of the arts, valuing its economic and social by-products, from tourism
promotion to crime reduction, over its intrinsic worth?” article
Save the Burlington Five by Martin Bailey
The Art Newspaper
Government aims to charge London’s ancient but impecunious learned
societies a commercial rent. article
Self-Styled Art Vigilantes Threaten To Destroy
Public Sculptures They Detest
by Kathy Marks in Sydney, Australia
The Independent, 17 June 2003
Public artworks are often loathed by the public, but a sculpture in Sydney
has aroused an unusual degree of antipathy. A group of self-styled art
vigilantes is threatening to destroy the work unless the council dismantles
it. article
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