We always knew that art had the power to inspire wonder, hope, greed, fear and anger. Now, we can add bankruptcy negotiations and terrorist threats to the list.
The Turtles Shake Up the Digital Music Industry (and other October stories)
The Turtles (“So Happy Together”) are the unlikely beneficiaries of a ruling that could lead to new protections for performers in sound recordings made prior to 1972.
Changes to Federal Rules for Nonprofits (and other July stories)
Policymakers approve budgets for the NEA and NEH and consider a number of changes to rules governing charitable donations, while the IRS makes it easier for small organizations to secure nonprofit status.
Around the horn: Donald Sterling edition
ART AND THE GOVERNMENT The IRS has proposed a new Form 1023-EZ, which would allow some smaller organizations to apply for tax-exempt status with much less hassle. The National Association of State Charity Officials has objected out of a belief that completing the longer form is an important educational experience and a fear that applicationsRead More
Around the horn: Slovyansk edition
ART AND THE GOVERNMENT In a reversal, the FCC has drafted new net neutrality rules that critics claim are unworthy of the name: they would allow broadband companies to provide a “fast lane” for content providers willing to pay a “commercially reasonable” fee. The FCC’s public comment period opens on May 15. Related: if theRead More
Around the horn: Amiri Baraka edition
ART AND THE GOVERNMENT A Federal court has overturned the FCC’s “net neutrality” regulations, which have required internet service providers to treat all content equally. Legal details here; implications for artists and ways to get involved here. Meanwhile, AT&T has announced a plan to exempt selected content from wireless data caps; artists are expressing concern.Read More
Around the horn: just another government shutdown edition
ART AND THE GOVERNMENT The public has spoken: polling released in late September shows 75% of Detroiters oppose cutting pensions and 78% oppose selling artwork from the Detroit Institute of Arts to ease the city’s financial troubles. Meanwhile, the DIA is pitching a long-shot plan to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder that would direct significant state funding toRead More
Around the horn: Big Brother edition
ART AND THE GOVERNMENT A lot of people are talking about the news that Detroit’s emergency fiscal manager is exploring whether the city-owned art on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts (which I visited for the first time just a few weeks ago) can be considered an asset in the event of a municipal bankruptcy.Read More
Around the horn: Lois Lerner, we hardly knew ye edition
(This edition prepared by Createquity Writing Fellow Dan Thompson) ART AND THE GOVERNMENT Never afraid to speak his mind, Rocco Landesman shares a few more words about his experience as NEA head, this time with the Public Theater’s Public Forum Podcast. MUSICAL CHAIRS Ken Corbin, a 27-year IRS veteran, will take over as acting head of theRead More
The Deduction for Charitable Contributions: The Sacred Cow of the Tax Code?
Reforming the deduction on charitable contributions isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the arts.