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2002 national arts news archive
2002-01-03
NYC's New Mayor Suggests Delaying Lincoln Center Redevelopment
As new Mayor Mike Bloomberg anticipates a big budget deficit for New York City, he has questioned the $240 million commitment by the city over 10 years to the $1.2 billion redevelopment plan of Lincoln Center. The interim executive director is heading to Philadelphia and the retirement of Beverly Sills as chairman looms. The New York Times
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2002-01-03
More Funding for Individual Artists in Pittsburgh
Since artists are not nonprofit organizations, grant money is usually hard to come by. But in Pittsburgh, the Heinz Endowments has started a new program called Creative Heights that funds local artists who collaborate on a new project with a local arts organization. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
2002-01-02
Poetry to the People
Elko, Nevada (250 miles east of Reno), prepares for its 18th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, sponsored by the Western Folklife Center. Attended by more than 8,000 people last year, the eventincludes workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions, films, and performances of some of today's finest cowboy poets, musicians, and craftsmen. The Christian Science Monitor
2002-01-14
L.A. Arts Group In the Aftermath of 9/11
Los Angeles arts organizations are doing better post-9/11 than had been anticipated--perhaps partly because of being on the West Coast and less dependent on tourism than other cities like New York. As ever though, smaller organizations and individual artists are more likely to be hurt than the larger groups. The Los Angeles Times
2002-01-16
9/11 Memorials: Let the Controversy Begin
Forest City Ratner in Brooklyn has commissioned a sculpture based on the famous photo of three firefighters raising the flag in the rubble. The actual men in the photo were white, butthe sculpture is designed to depict an African-American man and Hispanic man along with a white man, and all kinds ofquestions about public art are being raised. The Boston Globe
2002-01-16
NYC Capital Projects Take Hit
As New York City faces significant budget shortfalls, the City has asked cultural institutions to cut back or delay their renovations in the next four years. The New York Times
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2002-01-20
More Artists in Minnesota Classrooms
A good bit of money has been spent on arts education in Minnesota schools, while critics question the results. Many participants offer positive feedback but worry that a new round of state budget cuts will roll back the progress that has been made so far. Minneapolis Star Tribune
2002-01-26
Ads Suggest the Pitfalls Of Losing Arts Education
Americans for the Arts and the Ad Council announce the launch of a new public awareness campaign about the value of arts education. The premiere of the TV campaign airs on Sunday, January 27 on Bravo, with the ad featuring the voice of actor Alec Baldwin. More than 280 local and state arts organizations around the country are helping promote the campaign. The New York Times
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2002-01-30
New NEA Chairman Passes Away Within One Week of Starting Job
The nation's arts community mourns the passing of new NEA Chairman Michael Hammond who was found dead on Tuesday morning. The Washington Post Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, issued a statement noting the lost promise of Hammond's appointment.
2002-01-30
More Figures in NYC Arts Losses from 9/11
In a new report by the New York State Council on the Arts due later this month, an estimated $30 million was lost between September 11 and October 31, based on responses from 419 groups in the five boroughs. The Village Voice
2002-01-31
Urban Institute Looks at Support System for Individual Artists
The Urban Institute, a Washington-based research and policy institute, introduced the study "Investing in Creativity: A Study of the Support Structure for U.S. Artists" yesterday in Cleveland, one of the nine cities being examined. Researchers will look at what sorts of public and private programs, policies, fellowships, training, grants, donations, and other forms of assistance are currently available to artists in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, New York, Boston, Washington,and Cleveland. The Plain Dealer
2002-02-05
Catherine Reynolds Withdraws $38 Million Gift From Smithsonian
Washington-area philanthropist Catherine B. Reynolds will withdraw most of her $38 million contribution to the National Museum of American History for an exhibit on individual achievement in response to criticism from museum curators. The Washington Post
2002-02-05
Bush Asks For Slight Increases in Cultural Agency Budgets
In the FY2003 budget sent to Congress, the Bush administration proposes a $2 million increase for the National Endowment for the Arts, a $2.4 million increase for the National Endowment for the Humanities, a $2.1 million increase for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and a $9 million increase for the Smithsonian. The Washington Post
2002-02-07
Reynolds Gift Withdrawal Adds to Conversation about Art and Money
Private money going to public institutions--what are the parameters? Are there strings attached? How much oversight is appropriate? Washington philanthropists and arts leaders offersome comments. The Washington Post
2002-02-11
Carnegie Corporation Gives $10 Million to NYC Cultural Organizations
The Carnegie Corporation announces 137 grants to NYC cultural organizations ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. The awards are made in the name of an anonymous donor to aid the city's medium and small-sized institutions that have been affected by September 11. Carnegie Corporation website
2002-02-14
Some Jewish Leaders Urge Boycott of Jewish Museum
Some Jewish leaders are asking Jewish groups to boycott the upcoming exhibit of Holocaust-related contemporary art at the Jewish Museum in New York City, adding to the furor of the discussion about an exhibit that is still a month away from opening. The Washington Post
2002-02-16
New NYC Commissioner Talks About Restructuring
Kate D. Levin, newly appointed commissioner of cultural affairs for New York City,speaks about potentially shifting some of the money traditionally given to well-entrenched cultural institutions to some of the city's smaller organizations. The New York Times
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2002-02-15
Kennedy Center is "Putting It Together"
The editors at The Washington Post cite the Kennedy Center's end-of-year fundraising and first day box office receiptsfor the upcoming Sondheim festival as a local and national bright spot in what most had projected as a dark economic landscape for arts organizations. The Washington Post
2002-02-20
Arts Advocates in Minnesota
Nearly 400citizens showed up to lobby their state legislators on pro-arts causesduring Minnesota's Arts Advocacy Day. With the state facing facing a projected deficit of nearly $2 billion, the arts leaders were there to seek parity in budget cuts to the arts and wore pins imploring state officeholders to "Think Twice Before You Cut." Minneapolis Star Tribune
2002-02-20
Public Art in Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Art Commission, quietly going about its business in approving the design of buildings and other structures on city property, finds itself in a bit of controversy involving the use of corporate logos on street banners. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
2002-02-26
Kate Levin Has Her Work Cut Out For Her
Facing significant budget cuts (yet again), NYC's Department of Cultural Affairs has a new commissioner, Kate D. Levin. Sheseems to have the ear of the new administration, and the arts community will be watching her closely. The New York Times
2002-02-26
Reynold Levy Goes to Lincoln Center
Former head of the AT&T Foundation and Executive Director of the 92nd Street Y, Reynold Levy, will take over as President of Lincoln Center during tough financial times. New York Daily News
2002-02-24
St. Paul Mayor Gets It
New St. Paul mayor Randy Kelly wants to make St. Paul a mecca for artists while the new Minneapolis mayor wants to eliminate his city's Office of Cultural Affairs. St. Paul Pioneer Press
2002-02-27
Atlanta Advocates Argue for the Arts
After threatened cutbacks, the Atlanta City Council restored funds to the city's Bureau of Cultural Affairs close to 2001 levels. Mayor Shirley Franklin and more than a dozen arts leaders championed the arts at a public hearing. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2002-03-01
Impending Changes in NY Times Cultural Coverage
With John Rockwell's departure as editor of the Sunday Times' Arts& Leisure section, will the new emphasis be placed more on pop culture? Andante
2002-03-03
Art to the 'Burbs of the Twin Cities
The suburban communities surrounding Minneapolis and St. Paul are hankering for the arts closer to home. Do the established companies in the Twin Cities venture out to the suburbs or do new groups get established in revitalized suburban downtown community centers? Or is partnership between the urban companies and suburban arts centers the key? Minneapolis Star Tribune
2002-03-03
New Performance Halls, Take Note
The music critic for the Los Angeles Times offers advice to those opening new concert halls, citing what he feels was the bad example offered by the Philadelphia Orchestra's new home in the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. He especially urges the L.A. Philharmonic to pay attention when the Walt Disney Concert Hall opens next year. Los Angeles Times
2002-03-04
Is Percent for Art In Trouble In Philadelphia?
Some 40 years after the City of Philadelphia founded its Percent for Art program,a developer is asking for an exemption -- the largest in the history of the program --on his multimillion-dollar riverfront apartment high-rise. The Nando Times
2002-03-04
National Arts Education Public Awareness Campaign Covered in Dallas
Americans for the Arts national public awareness campaign's humorous ads about the benefits of arts education get noticed in Dallas, where local partners are the Mesquite Arts Council and Imagination Celebration Fort Worth. The Dallas Morning News
2002-03-06
Bonds, Buildings, and Politics
The restoration of the Shubert Theatre in Minneapolis has its plans for a substantial amount of state funding via a bond issue put on hold due to city politics. City Pages (Minneapolis)
2002-03-15
Glassboro Center for the Arts Shut Down by Rowan University
Rowan University in South Jersey intends to deal with its budget shortfall by shutting down its performing arts center. South Jersey Courier Post
2002-03-15
White House Announces Recipients of National Medals of Arts and Humanities
President Bush names the newest winners of the National Medal of Arts and National Medal of Humanities for 2001. The awards had been delayed due to the September 11 terrorist attacks. The Washington Post
2002-03-12
Eloquent Argument in Support of Public Arts Funding
A Philadelphia columnist understands that a community needs meaningful and sustainable support of its cultural organizations and offers the reasons why. The Philadelphia Inquirer
2002-03-24
The Big Papers On Both Coasts Rethink Arts Coverage
Peter Bart, editor of Variety, the entertainment industry's daily trade publication, offers his thoughts on the reassessment of arts coverage by both The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times. Reuters - Variety
2002-03-31
Is A New Performing Arts Center Enough?
Dallas is looking to build a new $250 million performing arts center to anchor its Arts District. But it's the surrounding elements helping to connect people thatmay determine if the area thrives. The Dallas Morning News
2002-04-08
The Russians Are Coming
As some entrepreneurial Russians accumulate great wealth and look for prestige, should prominent American cultural institutions be taking their money and putting the Russianson their boards? Financial Times
2002-04-07
Architects Visit Atlanta
As the Atlanta Symphony prepares to build a new concert hall, it has invited the public to hear the thoughts of six semifinalists. Hosted by Georgia Tech's architecture program, more than 3,000 people heard about the work and philosophies of the candidates during lunchtime and evening talks. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2002-04-10
Boston Takes Arts Funding Hit
Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who called himself the "arts mayor" two years ago when he doubled Boston's arts budget, has slashed the arts and culture budget by one-third. The Boston Globe
2002-04-10
Power To The Playwright
The one group of theatre artists that has not had collective bargaining power -- the playwrights -- are looking to change the law. New legislation in both houses of Congress has beenintroduced to change the situation. The Nando Times
2002-04-12
NPR Changes Focus
NPR is reshaping itself and going more in the direction of news and talk shows than in classical music and jazz. Cultural programming will now be split into three divisions: Arts Information, Music, and Entertainment. The Washington Post
2002-04-14
The Arts Spur The Rebirth of Lower Manhattan
The Lower Manhattan Development Corp. is receiving all kinds of proposals from interested arts organizations, including the New York City Opera,as it looks to build a cultural hub near Ground Zero. Andante
2002-04-28
Ten Years After L.A. Unrest
Los Angeles artists responded to the 1992 riots with paintings, murals, dances, plays, songs, and books. Many of their creative lives were changed, and some ofthose artistsoffer their current perspective from ten years out. The Los Angeles Times
2002-04-26
Mass Council Looking At Potential Big Hit
The Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee proposes a whopping 48% cut to the Massachusetts Cultural Council's budget for fiscal 2003. While only the first step in a larger budget process, if implemented, the Council's budget would drop from just over $19 million to about $10 million, one of the largest percentage reductions proposed for any state agency. The Boston Globe
2002-05-05
Former NEA Chair Livingston Biddle Dies At 83
Livingston Biddle, Jr., the man most responsible for drafting the legislation that established the National Endowment for the Arts in 1965, passed away on May 3. After serving as deputy chairman of the NEA under its first chair Roger Stevens from 1966-67, Biddle later served as chairman from 1977-1981. The Washington Post
2002-05-08
Massachusetts Arts Advocates React to Cuts
In a rally at the Museum of Science, Massachusetts cultural leaders called attention topotential effects of the proposed 48%cut to the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The Boston Globe
2002-05-09
Public Art Sign Gives A Boost to L.A. Drivers
Disgusted with poor freeway signage at a major L.A. transition area, artist Richard Ankrom installed his own sign, following the guidelines of the California Department of Transportation. And no one noticed for nine months. The Los Angeles Times
2002-05-13
An Arts Comeback in California Schools (Part 1)
More than 20 years after Proposition 13 helped decimate arts programs in California schools, the state is starting to catch up with the passing ofpublic schoolstandards for each gradeand a new state university admissions requirement. San Francisco Chronicle
2002-05-13
A Features Editor Looks At Arts Coverage
Chris Lavin, senior editor for special sections at the San Diego Union-Tribune, recently spoke to the Association of Performing Arts Service Organizations at their national convention. He offers his thoughts on some steps arts organizations might take to ensure greater coverage. Poynter.org
2002-05-15
An Arts Comeback In California Schools (Part 3)
Some examples of solutions when the arts and education communities work together when lacking trained teachers and the funding to hire more. San Francisco Chronicle
2002-05-14
An Arts Comeback In California Schools (Part 2)
From teachers applying for grants and parents running auctions and candy drives, arts funding for schools often comes from outside the usual funding sources for other subjects. San Francisco Chronicle
2002-05-16
California Proposes Slashing Arts Budget By Half
California's projected $23 billion deficit means cuts for all, but the arts seem to be taking a larger hit than many other state agencies. San Francisco Chronicle
2002-05-16
NYC Cultural Leaders Discuss Impact Of Their City's Budget Cuts
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proposed cutting funding to NYC's larger cultural institutions by 20% and smaller ones by 15%. But he and his company continue to be huge private sector donors. Some of the city's cultural leaders discuss how they will fight the cutswhile tryingto stay inthe Mayor'sgood graces. The New York Observer
2002-05-15
Twin Cities Grow Through The Arts
According to a Minnesota Center for Survey Research poll in 1998, 92% of Twin City residents say the arts are crucial to their quality of life. But a committed investment in the arts has a downside in tough economic times as the infrastructure supporting the arts organizations they love has to be maintained. ABCNews.com
2002-05-16
Cleveland Starts To Catch Up
One of the country's only major cities without a local arts agency, Cleveland's City Council convened a meeting of 600 local artists, business leaders, heads of cultural organizations, and new Mayor Jane Campbellfor an Arts Summit, afive-hour brainstorming session about how the arts can stimulate economic development. The Plain Dealer
2002-05-20
Are NYC Cultural Groups Resigned To Cuts?
New York City's cultural organizations grapple with the proposed cuts they're being asked to take in the Cultural Affairs Department's budget as the city faces a $5 billion deficit. The New York Times
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2002-05-19
Miami Gets A New Arts Center Chief
Michael Hardy is the new president ofMiami's $334 million performingarts center, scheduled to open inthe fall of 2004. He discusses his take on diversity and being a cultural ambassador in this Q and A interview. The Miami Herald
2002-05-17
Kansas City Joins List of Major Cities Building New Performing Arts Centers
Architect Moshe Safdie has been chosen to design the new $304 million Kansas City Performing Arts Center, scheduled to open in 2007. The Kansas City Star
2002-05-20
Georgia, Too, Takes A Funding Hit
With the state's smallest arts grants budget since 1989, the Georgia Councilfor the Arts per capita ranking may slip even further down from the 47th position it held for 2001. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2002-05-22
Broadway Bounces Back
As we get close to the 2002 Tony Awards, it is clear that Broadway is again doing well someeight months after September 11. But Off-Broadway and nonprofit theatres in Lower Manhattan have not fared so well. The New York Times
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2002-05-23
Musicians Pass Hat To Help Kids
When the Pittsburgh Public Schools couldn't come up with the cash for school buses to take them to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's free concert, the musicians donated the $5,000 necessary to bus in 2,000 second-graders. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
2002-05-23
Boston's Museum of Fine Arts Talks Economic Impact
More attendance than the Bruins and the Celtics, more workers than Stop 'n Shop, and $221 million into the state. The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston hopes those numbers will help it raise $425 million for expansion as donors see the impact on their investment. The Boston Globe
2002-05-23
Ventura's Veto
Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura took out his veto pen and marked out the $24 million in state bonding for the new $125 million Guthrie Theatre complex even after the Guthrie demonstrated significant economic impact to the state. Minneapolis Star Tribune
2002-05-24
Public Financing For The Arts Drops All Over
After years of expansion, local and state arts budgets are dropping as the long economic boom comes to an end. The states of Minnesota, California, Georgia, and Massachusetts are pulling back, and so are the cities of New York, Buffalo, and King County, which serves Seattle and its surrounding area. Just to name a few. The New York Times
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2002-05-24
More on California Cuts
Two years ago Governor Gray Davis boosted state arts funding by more than 60%, bringing the state's per capita spending up from nearly last to 24th. But the state's $24 billion budget gap has him now proposing a 57% cut, essentially wiping out all that had been gained. The arts community is trying to persuade the legislature to restore some of those proposed cuts. L.A. Weekly
2002-05-24
New Report On How The Arts Help Kids Do Better
The Arts Education Partnership just released a new compendium on the benefits of an arts education. It's the first report to combine all the arts and make comparisons with academic achievement, performance on standardized tests, and improvement in social skills and student motivation. USA Today
2002-05-26
How Do We Care For Murals?
Murals are a fragile artform: who cares for them after the elements take their toll over the years? And who pays? Judith F. Baca talks about The Great Wall of Los Angeles. The New York Times
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2002-05-28
Cincinnati's Arts Groups Pump $169M To Local Economy
As the Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts celebrates its 75th anniversary, its Fine Arts Fund issued the first economic impact study in 12 years. The 17 organizations thatare part ofthe fund attracted 1.75 million visitors and $169 million into the surrounding tristate community. The Cincinnati Enquirer
2002-05-30
Performing Arts Center Wars in Wisconsin
The city of Appleton, Wisconsin, has joined forces with monolith Clear Channel Entertainment as it builds the new Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and brings Clear Channel product like the Broadway hit The Producers to the new space. But 28 miles away in Green Bay, will the Weidner Center now take a hit?Will two large venues so close together each thrive or will one end up cannibalizing the other? Chicago Tribune
2002-06-02
Naming Rights
As Lincoln Center undertakes a hugecampaign to redevelop its facilities, what happens to the naming rights of Avery Fisher Hall if a new benefactor steps up with the funds to substantially renovate the hall or build a new one? The Nando Times
2002-06-02
Does the Dallas Drive For A New Performing Arts Center Hurt The Little Guys?
As the $250 million campaign to build the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts goes on, smaller cultural organizations are concerned about being shortchanged in the process. The Dallas Morning News
2002-06-07
Discussing the Current State of Arts Journalism
Arts journalists recently convened in San Francisco to talk about their place in the press world. The Chronicle of Higher Education
2002-06-02
A Cool Billion for L.A. Arts Building Boom
If you add it all up, Los Angeles's cultural community is in the midst of raising about $1 billion for its various building campaigns. The Los Angeles Times
2002-06-02
Pittsburgh Paper Picks the City's Cultural Forces
For the sixth year, the Post-Gazette's Arts and Entertainment department took a look at the cultural landscape and found the top 50 who have made a difference in the past year. Bill Stickland of the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild tops the list. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
2002-06-03
Gov. Jeb Bush Reneges On Theatre Agreement
Florida Governor Jeb Bush's office told the Coconut Grove Playhouse that it may lose a $500,000 allocation from the State Legislature if it doesn't release the State from its maintenance agreement on the lease that runs through 2063. The Miami Herald
2002-06-04
The Guthrie Moves Ahead
In spite of Gov. Jesse Ventura's veto of the much-needed $24 million in state funding for their new theatre, the Guthrie board has decided to continue and renew its request. Minneapolis Star Tribune
2002-06-11
Nonprofit Arts Industry Has A $134 Billion Impact
Americans for the Arts' new economic impact study reveals that the nonprofit arts sector is a $134 billion industry. The Washington Post
2002-07-14
Connecticut's Commission Deals With Cuts
As the Connecticut Commission on the Arts looks at funding cuts, some arts organizations question the fairness of the process. Should there be cuts across the board or should some organizations be zeroed out? The Hartford Courant
2002-07-30
Massive Cuts for Mass. Council
Acting Governor Jane Swift has proposed a massively disproportionate cut to the Massachusetts Cultural Council of 62%, or approximately $12 million of its current $19 million. Last ditch efforts by arts advocates are underway to turn the situation around in the state's House and Senate. The Boston Globe
2002-11-03
Boston Takes New Strides
Long criticized for a lack of support commensurate with its local culture, Boston addresses the shortage of adequate performance space and artist housing. For the first time in its 45-year history, the Boston Redevelopment Authority is headed by an arts leader. Boston Herald
2002-11-05
NEA Delays Reorganization
The NEA's planned staffing reorganization announced recently by acting chair Eileen Mason will now be delayed due to the announcement of the White House's new nominee for the chairmanship, Dana Gioia. The New York Times
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