Commentary
What Should We Expect From A Biden NEA?
Wed, Feb 2, 2021
by Drew McManus
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced a quartet of appointments from the new Biden administration but still no word on a chair to replace Trump administration appointee Mary Anne Carter. While there’s no shortage of scuttlebutt over who will get tapped to be the new chair, the pandemic casts the agency in an
Gelb’s Puzzling Threshold For “Best Relationships”
Wed, Feb 2, 2021
by Drew McManus
The Associated Press published an article on 1/28/2021 by Ronald Blum that examines The Metropolitan Opera’s finances. Nutshell: they saw the same drop in earned income other groups are experiencing but offset that in part by increased unearned income. In and of itself, there’s nothing remarkable there but what should catch your eye is the
The Latest Waypoint In The Met’s Ugly Labor War
Thu, Jan 1, 2021
by Drew McManus
The Met is seeing a surge in negative feedback across their social media channels in response to the executive leadership’s decision to weaponize the negotiation process. By that, we mean it decided to cut off artist and technical employees from all current wages and insurance unless they agree to sizable long-term concessions. In an attempt
That Odor You Smell Is Disaster Blowing In The Wind
Fri, Jan 1, 2021
by Drew McManus
As a board member, it’s difficult to get an independent assessment of the institution and its strategic direction during periods of labor distress. There’s a natural inclination to look inward and draw strength from colleagues while not letting too many outside voices become a distraction. Having said that, you know things might be getting out
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