- It seems this is the week in which I realize I have been under a rock on a number of fronts. I don’t know what happened, but all of the sudden Crain’s New York is an essential source for creative economy news in the five boroughs. Here, Amanda Fung sews together a story about arts organizations in the Garment District. Also, somehow I missed the memo that Bono is the New York Times‘s latest op-ed columnist. In his latest, he offers ten idiosyncratic yet intriguing ideas for the next decade. And who knew that David Byrne is an arts blogger, and a good one at that? He delivers an impassioned indictment of big-ticket institutional arts funding, especially from the government.
- Speaking of good arts bloggers: do check out Judith H. Dobrzynski’s latest, as she shines light on a new study from the Institute for Museum and Library Services and the arts’ “male gap,” and Gary Steuer’s heartfelt tribute to Peggy Amsterdam. Steuer, in particular, is an absolutely fantastic writer; if you’re not following him already I can’t recommend that you do so strongly enough.
- Not to be outdone by 99 Seats finally lifting the veil, Andy Horwitz interviews himself for Culturebot.
- I don’t know how Andrew Taylor finds this stuff, but I’m glad he does.
- Mega-philanthropist Ruth Lilly has passed away. Lilly’s $120 million gift to Americans for the Arts in 2002 has to be one of the largest donations an arts service organization has ever received.
- The UK is creating a fund to create 200 new culture jobs for young people aged 18 to 24. Not huge numbers, but it’s nice that they’re willing to make the investment at all I suppose.
- Ooh, Gen Y philanthropy upstart smackdown! GiveWell opens fire on Philanthropedia here, and Philanthropedia responds (actually, rather graciously) here and here.
- Are nonprofits the beneficiaries of donations or partners with the donor? Maybe changing the language we use would help.
- Carol Graham lays down the dirt on happiness metrics for the WaPo. We need more clear, concise articles explaining complex topics like this one.
- Seems that listening to music might just make you a better person – if it’s the right music, that is.
- So you’re saying that artists are the pinnacle of evolution, Seth?
- Jazz and metal: the ultimate cocktail of music nerd-dom.
