Berlin's new airport? Planned for 5 years, finished in 14. Stuttgart's central station? Still under construction after 16 years. Hamburg's concert hall, the Elbphilharmonie? Nine years instead of three. And the costs? Sometimes 10 times higher than promised. Or take Cologne's opera house. Built in the 1950s as a symbol of modern democracy, it was a cultural jewel.
As we have seen, defending the right of people to speak, even when we deeply disagree with them, is very, very difficult. Many people perhaps most can't manage it. It can feel like a betrayal of self, a betrayal of values, and certainly a betrayal of one's community or cause. Nor is it sensible to expect it of everyone. But we must demand it of the custodians of our culture. This is the way forward.
The Nobel Foundation has revealed the first design proposal for the new Nobel Center, a public cultural and educational institution dedicated to science, literature, and peace. Designed by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin, the project will be constructed along Stadsgårdskajen at Slussen in Stockholm, with construction scheduled to begin in 2027 and completion planned for 2031. Conceived as a permanent home for the activities surrounding the Nobel Prize, the building aims to make the work of Nobel Prize laureates accessible to a broad public
When Ireland redeveloped a swathe of central Dublin in the 1990s, the idea was to create a version of Paris's Left Bank, a cultural quarter of cobbled lanes, art and urban renewal. Planners and architects transformed the run-down Temple Bar site by the River Liffey into an ambitious experiment that drew throngs of visitors and won awards. Three decades later, there are some withering verdicts on what happened next. It seems that Temple Bar is becoming a violent post-apocalyptic place, a judge said last year after sentencing a man who bludgeoned a victim with a can of cider. It's shocking to see it, that people can't be safe down there.
We've lost a lot, but that doesn't mean anyone should downplay that which continues. San Jose is a resonating chamber of identities, all bouncing off each other, in the same way audio frequencies bounce off the walls of an auditorium. That's the best way to understand this place. Forget the worn-out clichés like "melting pot" or "mosaic." Use the term "resonating chamber." To me, that makes more sense.
When David Arsenault takes down a worn, leather-bound 19th-century book from the winding shelves of the Boston Athenaeum, he feels a sense of awe - like he's handling an artifact in a museum. Many of the half a million books that line the library's seemingly endless maze of reading room shelves and stacks were printed before his great-great-grandparents were born. Among fraying copies of Charles Dickens novels, Civil War-era biographies and town genealogies, everything has a history and a heartbeat.
Theaters serve as cultural and social institutions, shaping society by providing spaces where stories of identity, race, and justice are brought to life. These venues foster community through shared, live experiences, sparking conversations that resonate beyond the stage. Architecturally, theaters are more than performance spaces-they are landmarks that embody both the history and future of the arts. Their design often reflects the cultural importance of storytelling, while their refurbishments ensure they remain relevant in a modern context.
The hour-long event, viewed by thousands on the Advance Facebook Live platform, featured three prominent women leaders on Staten Island: Tatiana Arguello-Sabatelli, executive director of Nonprofit Staten Island; Jessica Phillips, CEO of Historic Richmond Town; and Jessica Baker Vodoor, president and CEO of Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens. The panelists reflected on the experiences and values that shaped their leadership journeys-beginning with what first inspired them to step into leadership roles and what has sustained their motivation during difficult times.
CIG was established in 1869 with the American Museum of Natural History. Its institutions operate in city-owned buildings and receive financial support from the city, including for capital investment. A number of the city's museums are part of the program, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA PS1, the Studio Museum in Harlem, El Museo del Barrio, the Bronx Museum of the Arts, and the Queens Museum.
With a United States government shutdown looming-again-you may be wondering what that actually means for New York City. Well, it's not quite clear yet, as each administration gets the power to choose which services to freeze and fund, per the Associated Press. But it's likely that some things, including cultural organizations, would temporarily close if the shutdown happens, especially based on the shutdown during the last Trump administration. Though nothing is confirmed yet, here's what we suspect could close in New York City.
"Thanks to the collaboration with four of New York's premier cultural institutions, Terminal 6 will offer arriving visitors from around the world a unique New York experience before they leave the terminal."
Thelmetria Michaelides has been named the new fire chief of Prince George's County, marking a significant leadership change in the community's emergency services.
As the UK races to meet our net zero targets, the need to combat fossil fuel extraction has never been more urgent. While many museums, cultural institutions and artists are taking significant measures to combat the escalating climate and nature crisis, it is deeply frustrating that a few high-profile institutions demonstrate irresponsible leadership.
The Mexican Museum's saga continues, with its leadership accused of financial mismanagement, raising doubts about the museum's future as it struggles to secure funding for its new location.
Although the area has been historically occupied by warehouses, some community members are contesting the project, arguing that it will exacerbate an existing housing shortage in the neighbourhood and contribute to increasing rental costs, among other concerns.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis boasts five floors of interactive exhibits, outdoor sports experiences, and a real T. rex skeleton, making it the world's largest children's museum.
"As the UK's oldest and foremost artist-led organisation, the extraordinary talent and vision of the Royal Academicians, and their team, leads the creative conversation on a national and international stage."
The museum’s architectural design emphasizes light and space, making it both an introspective refuge and an open gallery for the evolving narrative of Korean photography.
The musicians of the SF Symphony plan to protest their wage cuts outside Davies Hall, highlighting ongoing contract negotiations and their struggle against budget constraints.
