Dispatches

Beirut’s Damaged Museums Will Get ‘First Aid’ From International Arts Organizations

Ever since a cataclysmic explosion shocked the capital city of Beirut, Lebanon on August 4 and claimed the lives of 178 people, sympathetic non-profit organizations and mutual aid groups have been scrambling to provide affected citizens with the support and resources they need in order to recover. (Observer)

COVID-19 Prove Globalisation is Not Dead

Oxford professor Ian Goldin writes that as the pandemic pushes more activities online, national borders seem less relevant than ever. (Financial Times)

Five Things: #1. Business Models and a $9 Billion Idea

In the first of a five-part series, founder and editor of ArtsJournal, Douglas McLennan, addresses long-term problems in the arts. (ArtsJournal)

A Massive Survey about the Arts in 2020 America

Arthur Cohen, Founder and CEO of LaPlaca Cohen, and Erik Gensler of Capacity Interactive dissect the findings from a new survey of more than 120,000 people to understand how the arts and culture fit into the lives of Americans during these uncertain times. (Capacity Interactive) 

Uncertain Times

The pandemic is an unprecedented opportunity – seeing human society as a complex system opens a better future for all of us. (Aeon)

The Roadmap for Tourism’s Reimagining and Recovery

The Coalition for NYC Hospitality & Tourism Recovery have developed a roadmap to navigate the challenges ahead, reimagine tourism and guide the industry toward recovery. (NYCGO) 

Will COVID-19 Change Museum Architecture?

In the museum field, many have asked whether some of the adaptations to programming and exhibitions will stick, with more available online and an increased focus on service to the local community. But what about museums’ physical presences themselves: their buildings? Will they be reimagined and reoriented to follow suit? (American Alliance of Museums) 

Banksy Funds Boat to Rescue Refugees at Sea

Banksy has funded a rescue boat to save refugees encountering danger in the Mediterranean Sea. The boat, name the Louise Michel, was bought with proceeds from some of the Bristol street artist’s works. (BBC)

The New, Rare Position at the Seattle Art Museum

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) announced a new position to their executive team, one that would help build an "equitable, diverse, and inclusive museum." (The Stranger)

Penumbra Theatre to Become Penumbra Center for Racial Healing

More than a rebranding, the organization’s new focus is designed to better resource Black artists and drive social change. (American Theatre) 

Andy Henry on Audacious Theatre for Crazy Times

“I wanted it to be an international news story, and it was.” When Andy Henry, artistic director of small independent Sydney theatre company Red Line Productions, had to cancel his 2020 season, he had the groundbreaking idea of an international live-streamed play reading – and somehow got Alec Baldwin to star in it. (Time Out Business Podcast)

In Synch: Unlocking collective action in a connected world

In large organizations and societies, enacting change requires many people to synchronize new beliefs and behaviors. (BCG Henderson Institute)

Museums Have a Docent Problem

Inside the struggle to train a mostly white, unpaid tour guide corps to talk about race. (Slate) 

Berlin’s Charité Board of Directors Steps Back Initial Statements Supporting Complete Opening of Opera Houses & Concert Halls

Leading German epidemiologists published a revised study suggesting that the opera houses and concert halls should allow every seat in the audiences to be occupied. However, in a major twist, the Charité’s Board of Directors has distanced itself from the report. (Operawire)

Dia Beacon Reopens With a Sonic Boom

The D.J. Carl Craig’s basement “club” shows the affinity between minimal art and techno music. It’s an after-party for the Covid age, minus the sweat. (The New York Times)

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