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Behind the curtain: What it’s like to be a professional performer

Mar 15, 2024
For performer Jonathan Betchtel, it all started with the film "Moulin Rouge."
With long hours, tough schedules and challenging physical demands, the life of a performer can be a constant hustle.
Courtesy Nate Watters

Oscar winner "The Last Repair Shop" explores the costs of repairing musical instruments

Mar 11, 2024
“The Last Repair Shop” focuses on the people who maintain the 140,000 musical instruments owned by Los Angeles Unified School District public schools.
Courtesy Searchlight Pictures

The arts generated more than $150 billion last year

It's part of the economic case for what towns and cities can gain by investing in nonprofit and local arts.
In 2022, nonprofit arts and culture groups and their events supported 2.6 million jobs, generated $29.1 billion in tax revenue, and provided $101 billion in income for residents.
Robert Couse-Baker

30 years ago, Prince changed the way artists negotiate with the music industry

Jun 7, 2023
By changing his name to a symbol, Prince changed how musicians negotiate with record labels.
Prince performs during Super Bowl XLI. The rock star in 1993 changed his name to a symbol, setting the stage for how musicians negotiate with record labels.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Ukrainian artists look abroad for help as they defend their culture against Russian invasion

Feb 24, 2023
Actors, dancers, singers and theater producers in Ukraine say they are determined to protect their national identity from Russian aggression.
Musicians perform during a candlelight concert in Kyiv on Dec. 1. Despite the Russian onslaught, Ukrainian artists are doing what they can to keep their culture alive.
Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images

How the pandemic pushed this nonprofit worker to start her own businesses

In addition to her day job, Jennifer Barton of Buffalo now sells mugs and other goods she makes, plus owns a community art studio.
Jennifer Barton at her studio in Buffalo, New York.
Brandon Watson

Programs pilot guaranteed income for artists

Jul 5, 2022
Most guaranteed income programs are geared at disadvantaged populations. These are tied to people's work.
Organizations in New York, San Francisco and St. Paul are piloting guaranteed income programs for artists. Recipients don’t necessarily have to put the funds toward art.
mixetto/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Merck Mercuriadis says hit songs are in an asset class all their own

Jun 14, 2022
The Hipgnosis founder says his goal is to make money for shareholders and “change where the songwriter sits in the economic equation.”
Hipgnosis founder Merck Mercuriadis says songs are a safer investment than assets like oil and gold because they’re less sensitive to market conditions.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SXSW

A Warhol painting could fetch $200 million. What's so special about it?

Warhol's Marilyn Monroe silkscreen is valuable, yes, but not very innovative, says art critic Blake Gopnik.
According to critic Blake Gopnik, it's not the price tag that's interesting, it's the "retread."
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

“Summer of Soul” producers on battling Black erasure to make the film

Jul 22, 2021
Why the Harlem Cultural Festival, known as “Black Woodstock,” was forgotten for decades.
The 5th Dimension performs at the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969, as seen in the new documentary "Summer of Soul."
Courtesy Searchlight Pictures