Arts Videos & Artists: Performing & Fine Arts Videos // Current

added
7 days ago

Do Critics Matter?

Anne Midgette writes, "The fact that the classical music, dance, and art critics are not represented in today's critics' survey in the Washington Post may give those of us in those disciplines extra reason to worry that what we write doesn't actually matter.

But the whole idea that there should be some kind of correlation between reviews in the paper and ticket sales, or popularity, is fundamentally flawed to start with. It reveals a misunderstanding of what it is a critic does. Our role is not to be mere consumer advocates, telling you how to spend your hard-earned dollars. If that were the only point, newspapers might as well issue simple public-relations-style puff pieces and have done with it.

The role of a critic is to cover a field. This doesn't mean simply pandering to popular taste. It means doing one's best to convey a sense of what is going on in a given discipline by writing about every possible side of it. It means trying to convey a perspective that a reader who doesn't spend every night going to concerts/plays/films may not be able to gather himself; or offering a thoughtful take that might stimulate a reader who does go to everything to see something in a different light.

For part of our role is to foster dialogue and debate. That doesn't mean setting forth judgments of taste in order that readers might fall obediently into line behind us. Quite the contrary: it may mean putting out views that one knows may represent the minority. It means being interested in the thoughts of those who disagree. It means being delighted when someone is powerfully moved by something one didn't like oneself. It also means writing well enough that someone might want to read you -- a goal that's hard to reach if all you're doing is trying to push readers to buy tickets.

The disciplines collectively referred to as "the arts," commercial or not-for-profit, highbrow or low, offer a lot more than simply the possibility of passive consumption and a thumbs-up, thumbs-down reaction at the end of the exercise. Their very existence is a tacit reminder that there is a lot more out there than this passive consumption, and critics should be reminding people of this fact. To get diverted into yet another hand-wringing round of us-against-them, critics-are-dying-out, audiences-are-stupid plaints is pointless. Audiences aren't stupid, and if critics are feeling irrelevant, it's up to us to figure out how to become a more vital part of the debate. But if we measure "relevance" by how many tickets we sell or how many people agree with us, we've already abnegated our responsibility."Anne Midgette writes, "The fact that the classical music, dance, and art critics are not represented in today's... more

St_Alia_10191
added this

0 responses

added
8 days ago

Arts in Crisis (And Not Just From the Economy)

"American arts organizations are threatened, but it is not the economy that poses the largest threat.

It is the decision-making of boards and staffs in response to economic challenges that has much greater long-term implications for the health of our arts ecology.

While arts funding only fell 6% last year, many arts organizations are making drastic cuts to their programming. Many have canceled performances, eliminated educational programming, shortened seasons, or closed altogether. Others are "dumbing down" their product; there is a widespread call to make programming more accessible (read boring). Still more are cutting their marketing dramatically; after all, they argue, who will notice if we spend less on communicating our (reduced) programming?

These approaches to dealing with the current recession all assume that cost is the underlying problem of the arts; conventional wisdom suggests that an arts organization can "save its way to health."

But this is wrong, dangerously wrong.

Arts organizations across the world have a revenue problem, not a cost problem. We are a remarkably efficient industry, doing more with less. But we do not yet know how to create the revenue streams we need to do our work in a consistent manner.

And what creates revenue for an arts organization? Good art supported by strong marketing. Arts organizations that consistently do good work and are aggressive about their marketing are the ones which succeed, both programmatically and financially.

Cutting programming and marketing, the current favored strategy, therefore, ensures that future revenue will fall. This initiates a viscous cycle; less art and marketing yielding less revenue leading to more cuts in programming and marketing, less revenue, etc. etc.

Taken to its conclusion, an arts organization simply gets too small to matter.

This is why our arts are in crisis today. We can survive the current economic downturn if we keep our programming vital and work harder than ever to convey our message. Those arts organizations who compete well will survive and recover when the economy recovers. Those that continue to cut away at their programming are likely to become irrelevant.""American arts organizations are threatened, but it is not the economy that poses the largest threat. It is the... more

St_Alia_10191
added this

3 responses

added
10 days ago

Impressionist Fred Travalena Dies

Impressionist Fred Travalena, a headliner in Vegas showrooms and a regular on late-night talk shows with his takes on presidents,... more

ebindelglass
added this

0 responses

added
10 days ago

Mariah Carey Films Music Video in NYC

Photographs of singer Mariah Carey on the set of her music video "Obsessed" at the Plaza Hotel in New York, NY on... more

ebindelglass
added this

0 responses

added
10 days ago

Jewish events this week: book talks, doc flick, comedy, and much music

Jewish authors, movie, comedian, and musicians this week 6/30-7/2 in Manhattan: Diwon, Alan Dershowitz, Ernest Adams, The Shuk,... more

davidfcooper
added this

0 responses

added
11 days ago

Lindsay Lohan Celebrates Early 23rd Birthday

Photographs from a birthday celebration for actress Lindsay Lohan held at the Wet Republic pool at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino... more

ebindelglass
added this

6 responses

added
12 days ago

Tonight: Israeli movie on a Brooklyn rooftop and jazz performances at Cafe 92YTribeca

Inexpensive quality entertainment in NYC tonight June 27, 2009.

davidfcooper
added this

0 responses

added
14 days ago

Naked artist in main Zagreb square shocks passers-by

The police will press charges against the man who was lying naked on the street and kissing the side-walk on Wednesday night in... more

newsfreak
added this

0 responses

added
14 days ago

World Mourns Death of Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson, defined in equal parts as the world's greatest entertainer and perhaps its most enigmatic figure, was about... more

ebindelglass
added this

0 responses

added
14 days ago

Anne Hathaway Opens in "Twelfth Night" in Central Park

Photographs from opening night for "Twelfth Night" at Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park... more

ebindelglass
added this

1 response

added
20 days ago

Who Writes Best About Sex?

Women think that the Kama Sutra is an Indian takeaway. We are just not fluent in body language. Nor do we have the gift of the... more

Ihatethemall
added this

4 responses

added
21 days ago

Something new in rock and roll. Winter Wallace brings fresh blood and energy to the genre.

Winter Wallace has an incredible voice and an even more incredible band. Combine this with a potent, innovative approach to... more

zenfilm
added this

0 responses

added
1 month ago

JCS Rain Dance

Monique dances up a storm on Julian's Comedy Stop Variety Show. Find more family humor, dance, and song at julianscomedystop.tv

julianscomedystop
added this

16 responses

added
1 month ago

Houston Filmmaker's Work Selected for Dances With Films.

It has been an interesting trip for Houston rockers Southern Backtones and filmmaker W. Ross Wells, a non-traditional journey from... more

zenfilm
added this

0 responses

added
1 month ago

Zumbie from Major Lazer ft. Andy Milonakis

Hilarious music video from Major Lazer. Going on tour this summer.

msltj20
added this

0 responses

added
1 month ago

TOKYO DESIGN FESTA: Aspettando il nuovo Murakami

E' online sul sito di XL (La Repubblica) il mio reportage dalla fiera giapponese del design e delle arti creative DESIGN FESTA.

Frankiez
added this

0 responses

added
1 month ago

Arts Appear to Play Role in Brain Development

To which I say, Huh-DUH! "For years, school systems across the nation dropped the arts to concentrate on getting... more

St_Alia_10191
added this

12 responses

added
1 month ago

In New York, Mrs. Obama Praises Arts as Vital to U.S.

"The first lady, Michelle Obama, visited New York City on Monday to promote the arts, celebrating opening night at the... more

St_Alia_10191
added this

1 response

added
1 month ago

"What is the future of arts journalism?"

Rick Stein, Executive Director for Arts Orange County, writes, "The irony was not lost upon me today when, after reading the latest article that wonders aloud if one of our major national newspapers can survive, I happened upon a paid advertisement for the NEA Arts Journalism Institute at Columbia University.

A single blogpost couldn’t possibly address the topic in depth, so I hope simply to prod some reflection and discussion.

I’ll take as a given that the internet has already emerged as the principal journalistic medium. (You may argue with that, but then it’s more about whether it’s “there” yet or simply still “en route.”)

The question then becomes “what is the role of arts journalism in this new landscape?”

Some observers say that audiences no longer want to be told what’s worthy of their attention, instead preferring to curate their own arts-going experiences and reach their own conclusions about them. (Not a good sign for arts journalists OR artistic directors, either.)

Some speculate this is a product of the waning attention spans since the “baby boom” and a desire for “choice” that has led to hundreds of cable channels and the flexibility to play them back whenever the mood strikes.

Others cite the growing belief that participating in an art form at any level of competency surpasses the experience of observing (and supporting) the work of skilled professionals.

It is even leading to a re-thinking by some foundations about where to direct their funds in order best to serve the long-term future of the arts in America — a direction that cuts out of the picture traditional arts institutions, since “quality” is no longer the goal.

Interestingly, the notion that critics are despised by artists is a truism not validated by reality. Agree or disagree with their conclusions, the arts community nonetheless hungers for a meaningful discussion about the value, context and quality of its work that experienced observers and skilled writers provide.

As everyone knows, such writers are increasingly being shed by publishers struggling to keep their shrinking companies alive. And while the internet has provided even wider potential audiences for arts journalists, it has not yet produced a viable business model that can finance their employment. The easily accessible blogosphere has also made it possible for every dilettante with time on his hands to appoint himself a critic — caveat emptor (and mea culpa?).

So, are arts journalism institutes, like Columbia’s or USC’s, breeding grounds for the futile pursuit of a vanishing profession?

I hope not."Rick Stein, Executive Director for Arts Orange County, writes, "The irony was not lost upon me today when, after reading the... more