There's something powerful that happens when students step onto a stage and the entire community shows up for them. Events like this bring families, staff, and students together in a way that builds pride, connection, and a real sense of belonging.
I've always thought it would be good to acquire an old warehouse in every town throughout the land and convert it into low-rent community workspaces for artists, local charities and small businesses getting off the ground. A kind of people's WeWork. What would others do with a humungous, but not unlimited, pile of dosh to benefit society? Roland Freeman, West Yorkshire Send new questions to nq@theguardian.com.
A new chapter unfolds for the arts in San Jose as Starting Arts prepares to relocate to two vacant buildings in the North San Pedro District this May. The nonprofit, dedicated to student arts programs, will transform a former courthouse and MMA gym into a vibrant hub called The Shared Arts Center of San Jose. Spanning 25,000 square feet at 99 Notre Dame Avenue and 92 Sharks Way, this space addresses the long-standing need for affordable venues where creative groups can thrive together.
As the Grammy winners took to the stage in Los Angeles on Sunday night, one common thread emerged: many had once walked the halls of a comprehensive school in Croydon, south London. British performers Olivia Dean, who won the prestigious gong for best new artist; Lola Young, who took home best pop solo performance for Messy; and FKA twigs, who won best dance/electronic album for Eusexua, all attended the Brit school in Selhurst.
Actor BD Wong, who originated Song Liling on Broadway in 1988, visited Harvard for two days in 2020 as part of the Office for the Arts' Learning from Performers program. Wong did a master class with students, spoke to an English class, and attended an "M. Butterfly" rehearsal. He ended up helping Cheng workshop the first love scene between the two main characters.
Citing CCA's long-standing financial struggles, including "demographic shifts and a persistent structural deficit," CCA President David C. Howse called the plan "a decisive act of stewardship." Deficits? How can this be? San Francisco is dense with millionaires. It frequently boasts the highest number of billionaires anywhere. How does one of the wealthiest cities in the world lose its last and oldest progressive art school? Intentionally.
"I'm not so interested in the expression of something. I'm more interested in what the material can do. So that's why I keep exploring," said artist, educator, and civic leader Ruth Asawa, reflecting on a six-decade-long career. Featuring some 300 artworks, Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective charts the artist's lifelong explorations of materials and forms in a variety of mediums, including wire sculpture, bronze casts, drawings, paintings, prints, and public works.
From school buildings to warehouses to freeway underpasses and beyond, Oakland's landscape is home to a rich tapestry of street art that contributes to the city's vibrancy, reflects its values, and tells the stories of the diverse communities who live here. Get tickets On Thursday, Nov. 13, from 6:30-8pm at The New Parkway Theater, our arts and community reporter Azucena Rasilla will host a conversation with three local artists who've played a key part in creating some of the city's most iconic murals.
Inside Government is a Q&A series that gives New Yorkers a glimpse inside the role of the elected officials who represent them. This edition of Inside Government with PoliticsNY features New York State Senator José M. Serrano. Senator Serrano represents the 29th Senate District which covers neighborhoods in the Bronx and Manhattan, including Highbridge, Mott Haven, Port Morris, Hunts Point, Clason Point, Randall's Island, East Harlem/El Barrio, and Yorkville.
The Office of Arts and Culture oversees the administration of the Portland Arts Access Fund, which is funded by the $35 Arts Tax Portlanders pay each year. A portion of the tax, which was approved by voters in 2012, pays for the salary for at least one full-time arts teacher to work in every elementary school in Portland.
To open the 103rd season, San Francisco Opera and The San Francisco Opera Guild presented Opera Ball: Palazzo on Friday, September 5, 2025. The evening included a cocktail reception, dinner, and after-party in San Francisco City Hall, and the opening night performance of Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto. Guests enjoyed the settings themed as an Italian extravaganza in a Renaissance court setting.
Though born into wealth, which she used in part to establish an unparalleled private art collection, Gund gave and gave and gave some more, promising many works to institutions, where they might be enjoyed by all, and selling others to raise money for political and social initiatives. By the time of her death, noted the New York Times, the first publication to report her passing, the cupboard was bare.
The nonprofit's board of trustees this month expanded its mission statement to include the East Palo Alto community at large. Our community has been telling us they would like access to amenities enjoyed by other neighboring cities, and we took that feedback seriously, with our board of directors determining in May to explore how to expand our offerings to additional constituents, EPACENTER's Executive Director Nadine Rambeau said in a release.
"I know the value in a child's life of having those opportunities. They improve interpersonal communication skills, self-confidence, teamwork, dedication, and cooperation, plus the ability to stick with projects - even when they are a challenge."
"We only were aiming for 10!" Allard said, saying the support was going to bring her to tears. "We've seen such an outpouring of support in the last three weeks... It's been reaffirming the importance of the work that we do."
