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Presidential Debate and the question of arts

by Peggy McGlone/The Star-Ledger

Tuesday October 07, 2008, 12:05 PM

In advance of tonight's second presidential debate, the L.A. Times' Christopher Knights wonders if the "Culture Question" will come up during the broadcast.

Knight notes that the moderator is Tom Brokaw, a long-time board member of the Norton Simon Museum of Art in Pasadena, CA., and someone who might ask Obama and McCain about cultural policy.

But in the likely event that the war and the economic meltdown get most of the air-time ...

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Eric Pryor is named director of N.J. State Museum

by Peggy McGlone/The Star-Ledger

Monday October 06, 2008, 4:51 PM

2005 STAR-LEDGER FILE PHOTOEric Pryor of West Orange has been named executive director of the New Jersey State Museum.

Eric Pryor, president of the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit, has been named the new executive director of the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton.

Pryor, 46, replaces Barbara Moran, who took early retirement last week after only a few months as director. Formerly head of the state Council on the Arts and the Cultural Trust, Moran served as interim director of the museum for two years.

Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells announced Pryor's appointment earlier today, saying his "first-hand experience as an artist and strategic planner ... will make him a wonderful asset to the State Museum."

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Arts leaders worry about the economy

by Peggy McGlone/The Star-Ledger

Monday October 06, 2008, 3:55 PM

SCOTT LITUCHY/THE STAR-LEDGERLeon Cooperman, left, chats with longtime pal Phil Spies at NJPAC's Spotlight Gala.

Worries about ripple effect of the credit market's turmoil are prevalent in New Jersey, as I reported on Saturday.

A quick survey of the national scene on ArtsJournal shows those fears are widespread. The turmoil in the economy has alarmed cultural leaders in Central Florida. Boston arts groups are preparing for the worst, too. Like their colleagues here in New Jersey, they fear donors will give less, endowments will earn less, and audiences will buy fewer tickets.

The uncertainty extends beyond arts non-profits and comes at a particulary difficult time, as noted in this recent post on the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Speaking of galas ...

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Say hello to Artsbeat

by Peggy McGlone

Monday October 06, 2008, 2:40 PM

Welcome to Artsbeat, my web-based daily -- at least that's the goal -- update about the arts in New Jersey and around the country.

My reporting on this beat has appeared for more than 10 years in The Star-Ledger, New Jersey's largest daily newspaper and one that is incredibly committed to covering arts and cultural. But changes in the industry and here at the Ledger have led to reduced space and tougher deadlines. (Not to mention the scary threats that have been swirling for the last two months.)

The crisis appears resolved, though, and I'm taking my beat on-line. I'm little late to the game, but I'm a quick study.

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The 'Art' of comedy in Red Bank

by Peter Filichia, The Star-Ledger

Sunday October 05, 2008, 9:57 PM

Art
Where: Two River Theater Company, 21 Bridge St., Red Bank
When: Through Oct. 19. Wednesdays at 1 and 8 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m.
How much: $34-$58 evenings. Call (732) 345-1400 or visit trtc.org.

Take it from one who's seen a half-dozen productions of "Art" from New York to Barcelona: While Yasmina Reza's Tony-winning play has always been amusing, it's funnier than usual at Two River Theater Company in Red Bank.

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