International News in June 2002
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Art Museums in a Family Way
The article 'In Family Way', notes a transformation taking place in art museums. 'These temples of contemplation that once catered mostly to adults now offer a full menu of programs aimed at families -- not to mention school groups, singles, teenagers, seniors…' more >
Cultural Loss in New York
'Cultural Loss In Lower Manhattan' covers Heritage Preservation's publication 'Cataclysm and Challenge: Impact of September 11, 2001, on Our Nation's Cultural Heritage' and focuses on the massive losses of the Five Points archaeological collection. 'Only 18 of about one million unique artifacts documenting the lives of nineteenth-century New Yorkers survived.' more >
FBI investigates Americas libraries
The American Associated Press has reported that the FBI is visiting libraries nationwide and checking the reading records of people it suspects of having ties to terrorists or plotting an attack, library officials say. more >
NYC Arts budget cut
'After five years of strong budget support from the city of New York, arts groups will have to weather a cut in funds under the municipal budget adopted last week, but the 5 percent reduction agreed to by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the City Council is a vast improvement over the 15 percent cut initially proposed by the mayor, arts groups say, particularly considering that the city has a $5 billion deficit to close and a downtown to rebuild.' more >
Web Thinkers Warn of Culture Clash
'Web Thinkers Warn of Culture Clash' reports on cautions expressed by leading Internet analysts and developers at the annual Internet Society conference who feel 'The Internet's potential for promoting expression and empowering citizens is under threat from corporate and government policies that clash with the medium's long-standing culture of openness. more >
Why the arts flourish in rural and small communities
'Authentic Passion: an introduction to the arts in rural and small communities,'discusses why arts flourish in rural and small towns in every form because of committed artists and arts activists and how the arts form part of the traditions of those who live there. more >
Australian Council considers giving up instrument collection
The Australia Council wants to sell a valuable 18th-century Italian cello, currently on loan to young musician Liwei Qin. more >
Papers for Culture and Public Action now available
Several papers addressing culture and development have been made available on the World Bank website, in preparation for the 'Culture and Public Action' conference, to be held in Washington, DC, June 30 - July 1. more >
A drama for the public theatre's board
Joseph Papp founded the New York Shakespeare Festival in 1954, to bring plays like 'Much Ado About Nothing' to people without charge. more >
At least in public, Americans endorse books
Are Americans reading more, or do they just want you to think they are? more >
New operas are booming
US orchestras may be grappling with dwindling audiences and the indifference of the young, but opera companies are doing quite well. more >
South Africa's black writers explore a free society's tensions
The new South Africa dazzles and disorients, offering young blacks previously unimaginable opportunities, even as AIDS and crime threaten to shatter their dreams. more >
The state of UK museums under review
'Resource', the Council for Museums Archives and Libraries, has announced the release of a new comprehensive report, detailing the state of the UK's museums and galleries. more >
UNESCO to add new sites to World Heritage List
UNESCO has announced that up to eleven new sites may be added to its World Heritage List on June 27. more >
WIPO members working towards trademark harmonisation
Member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have moved forward in discussions on a comprehensive program to harmonise trademark law internationally. more >
Online forum on cultural diversity
The Organisation of American States is inviting participation in the online 'Dialogue and Discussion Forum on Cultural Diversity in the Hemisphere'. The forum is being convened in preparation for the First Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Culture and Highest Appropriate Cultural Policy Authorities, to be held July 12-13, in Colombia. more >
A film peers into Tehran
For 14 years, Reza Khatibi was an Iranian living in exile in Paris, but he was not a political refugee. more >
Controlling copyright through technology
In 'Controlling Copyright Through Technology: When Elephants Dance' Michael Fraase examines the idea that 'the fusion of the entertainment industry with consumer electronics is creating a breed of giants which is trampling underfoot historically-established guarantees of moral rights and fair use.' more >
Digital divide still growing, according to UN conference
The digital divide still yaws as widely as ever, with billions of people still unconnected to a global society which, on its side, is more and more wired,' commented United Nations' Secretary-General Kofi Annan recently. more >
Human Knowledge Held Digitally May Be Lost
'Human Knowledge Held Digitally May Be Lost' reports on a paper presented at a recent UNESCO meeting, which notes that an 'enormous trove of digital information covering all areas of human endeavour could be lost if specific techniques and policies are not developed to conserve it.' more >
Our shrinking language tapestry
The headlong rush of progress and development has made the world poorer. Of the roughly 6,000 languages (plus their dialects) spoken around the world, 3,000 or more are classified as endangered, seriously endangered, or dying. more >
Setting Online Works Free Doesn't Please Everyone
In 'Setting Online Works Free Doesn't Please Everyone' the Seattle Times investigates the debate over digital rights and intellectual property, finding that 'It's an uphill battle to convince people that individuals can make their work freely available over the Internet, available for folks to use however they want without any obligations.' more >
The librarian's web dilemma
Libraries in the US are facing two issues: how to protect children from stumbling onto pornography while surfing the web, and how to deal with adults who seek out materials that are inappropriate for children's eyes. more >
The Middle East's e-War
In 'The Middle East's e-War,' 'Foreign Policy' explores the power of electronic connectedness in the Middle East conflict, noting that: 'Websites are having a broader influence by challenging the hegemony of established media.' more >
The quest for immortality
The largest exhibition of ancient Egyptian artefacts ever to tour North America and Canada will open at the National Gallery of Art in Washington on June 30. more >
Alan Parker rallies industry to develop skills strategy
Alan Parker, chairman of UK support body, the Film Council, has called on the film industry to support a major research project that will inform a new and comprehensive skills strategy for the sector. more >
Arts survey shows funding climate favorable
A recently released survey paints an upbeat picture of the arts funding scene in America. 'Arts & Economic Prosperity: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts Organisations and Their Audiences' surveyed the period 1992-2000. more >
Global art show with an agenda
Costing US$11 million and occupying five huge sites, 'Documenta 11' is the biggest, most expensive version yet of this mega-survey of contemporary art, to which, improbably, more than half a million people flock every five years. more >
Irish government's new film policy considered out of place
Ireland is struggling to retain its attraction as a location for film producers, thanks to increasing labour and service costs, growing competition from cheaper foreign locations, and now, a new government arts department that seems oddly unenthusiastic about film. more >
American schools rescuing native language and culture
'The Christian Science Monitor' explores the growing prominence of Native American tribal immersion in schools, focusing on language and culture. more >
Commerce Follows Artists Into the SoHo of Shanghai
The New York Times is taking an interesting look at community revitalization through the arts in Shanghai. 'The creekside area that has been revitalized is often called Shanghai's SoHo. But as was the case with its namesake in Manhattan, the tug of commercial possibilities may uproot the growing artists' community'. more >
Copyright: Decide it in the open
The future of copyright is being decided behind closed doors, by representatives of a nervous industry given decision-making powers by equally nervous governments, eager to wash their hands of responsibility for arbitrating disputes. more >
Interim Chief Named at National Museum
The Washington Post reports that Douglas H. Erwin, a paleontologist, has been appointed the interim director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, the second most popular museum in the world, more >
Bush announces new member for National Council on the Arts
US President George Bush has announced the nomination of National Gallery of Art Director Earl A. Powell III to serve on the National Council on the Arts, the advisory body of the National Endowment for the Arts. more >
Movies, TV not to be changed by Sept 11
The President of the Motion Pictures Association of America says the US entertainment industry will not alter movies or television shows to help the war on terrorism. more >
South African broadcaster makes first film investment
For years, major South African broadcasters have avoided investing in feature films - a move many local producers claim has prevented the rise of a viable local film industry. more >
'UK heritage needs £4 billion'
Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) estimates that the sum required to put the UK’s heritage 'in good order' over the next 10 years will be nearly GB£4 billion. more >
Art Godfather shares his skills
When Fatu Feu'u shocked his family and gave up his nice secure job as chief designer for an Auckland textile company in 1988, he was given a farewell gift he still uses today. more >
New York fine art dealer sentenced
Imposing a harsh penalty, a federal judge in New York has sentenced a well-known antiquities dealer to 33 months in prison for dealing in antiquities recently excavated from Egyptian soil. more >
US artists oppose war on terror
The organiser of an artists' petition against the US Government's 'war on terror' has said some people were afraid to add their signatures. more >
Training young musicians a serious business
Are we being serious enough about our youth music in New Zealand? more >
'Funding for Arts Month' at the Foundation Center
During the entire month of June, the US Foundation Center will offer a wide range of arts-related programs, publications, and web-based content and services, to enhance existing resources and develop new ones for particular audiences. more >
Cuban dancer appointed UNESCO ambassador
Cuban ballerina and choreographer Alicia Alonso has been appointed a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for her 'outstanding contribution to the development, preservation and popularisation of classical dance' and for her 'devotion to the artform', according to a recent UNESCO news release. more >
Non-profit arts groups generate US$134 billion annually
Non-profit arts groups throughout the US generate at least US$134 billion in economic activity each year, according to a national survey released by an advocacy group. more >
Global search for new Te Papa head
The Museum of New Zealand board is moving quickly to begin an international search for a new Chief Executive, after the shock departure of Dame Cheryll Sotheran. more >
Music industry trouble
The US$14 billion recording industry is struggling through its first sales slump in a decade. It's time to face the music: radio sounds like a broken record, CD prices are heading off the charts, labels are out of tune with the digital age and new acts are failing to strike a chord with listeners. more >
Volunteer research to assist policy decisions
The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries (UK), has commissioned a demographic profile of volunteers throughout the arts sector. Noting that the information regarding volunteers has been scarce, the report aims to build a strategic view of volunteering to assist in future policy decisions. more >
Entertainment industry survey
A new survey by Pricewaterhouse Coopers says that the worldwide entertainment and media sector is at the beginning of a rally that will see spending of US$1.4 trillion by 2006. more >
Federal cuts to arts training boards hit hard
State and territory arts training boards across Australia have had their budgets cut by 40% in the 2002/2003 Federal Budget, leading to some being forced to close up shop and others wondering how they will continue to provide services. more >
Tax laws work against non-profits
Boston Museum of Fine Arts' Director Malcolm Rogers is campaigning against a measure approved by the state's House of Representatives, to eliminate tax deductions for charitable contributions. more >
Insurers push booksellers to the margins
Add to the woes of independent booksellers the growing cost of insurance. Insurance premiums have risen sharply this year, and some independents fear this may put them out of business. more >
Major press strike threatens Norwegian film industry
A virtual all-out journalists' strike in Norway is threatening to undermine the viability of theatrical film releases in the territory. more >
Why is arts journalism marginalised in so many publications?
Literary critic Carlin Romano believes that 'until arts journalists and their supporters examine the intellectual issues of their trade as seriously as investigative reporters probe their own dilemmas over protecting sources or going undercover, they'll continue to be enablers of their own marginalisation.' more >
Libraries growing spanish-language collections
According to a national survey of American librarians, Mexican immigrants are the largest Hispanic population served by libraries, and immigration law, health and 'how-to' titles are the Spanish-language books that register the most demand. more >
The international who's who in cultural policy, planning and research >