from ArtsWatch
Marketplace of Ideas: But First, The Bill
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It has often been opined that American-style of marketplace idealism must prevail in order for diversity to thrive - and culture being no exception. In this extended essay, an interesting counter-point is argued: that the European model of public funding for arts and culture has resulted in a more robust and vibrant cultural scene compared to the American free-market model. It would seems that arts and culture (and by extension, heritage) must be free to serve a social good, rather than purely an economic one, in order for it to be of relevance and import.

from The Guardian
Museums gang up to demand cash
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and
from BBC News
Museum warning amid funding plea
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This brings home the point that heritage and culture is resolutely dependent on public and private patronage.

from The Seattle Post Intelligencer
Restorers: 'David' statue looking better
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An update on the (controversial) cleaning of Michelangelo's marble sculpture of David in time for the planned celebration of its 500th anniversary of its unveiling. More information can also be found on the web-site of the Friends of Florence, who is one of the key sponsors of this restoration project. Reports of the actual examination and on-going conservation treatment of the sculpture are available. More resources and images can also be found at the official web-site for the restoration of Michelangelo's famed sculpture, under the auspice of the Galleria dell Accademia.

from BBC News
Good home needed for paintings
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It is an interesting idea to raise funds for the restoration of paintings by allowing the donor to display the adopted (and restored) painting on their premises for a year. One can only hope that the success of this scheme will not be taken as an excuse to reduce other avenues of funding for the proper care and conservation of art.

from The Straits Times
Parts of Changi Prison to be preserved
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This partial reversal of an earlier decision to demolish the entire old Changi Prison complex is surely a piece of encouraging news. However, it does raise the question of how much can be construed (or misconstrued) from a fragment of the whole? Perhaps, only time will tell.

from The New York Times
Art That Speaks to You. Literally.
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Another example of the increasing prevalence of intangible art medium. There is also an article on NewMusicBox outlining a brief history of Sound Art.

from The New York Times
Scavenger Hunts Go Highbrow
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When company team-building games move into the museum - can this be a bad thing? In the attempt to find relevance - or "hip" and "cool" (depending on one's generational perspective) - there is always the danger of tipping over into the realm of frivolity and where the lessons from the past remain unheeded.

from The New York Times
At a Mountain Monastery, Old Texts Gain Digital Life
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Another view of the work in preserving history - which can paradoxically be both intriguing yet mundane at the same time.

from ARTnews Online
The Case of the Escaped Spirit
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The article is an amusing collection of various snippets of the strange circumstances of how art can be damaged.

from NY Times.com
The White Stuff
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An outdoor exhibition featuring ephemeral art in Finland. It's a marvel created through long distance collaborations between artists, architects, engineers, local builders and students. Seems to me it's a move away from traditional art medium, art making and exhibition making.