Civic Culture

A darkened nightclub scene that depicts a group of people dancing.

Civic Culture Jul 22, 2026

ArtWonk: Heritage Foundation Behind Attacks on Smithsonian and MA State Senate “Fun Coalition” Declares War on Boring

A congressional hearing reveals the Heritage Foundation’s role in Trump’s attacks on the Smithsonian. Meanwhile, Massachusetts state senators seek to shed the Commonwealth’s killjoy reputation with a suite of amendments to the $325 million economic development bill designed to support cultural spaces, artists, and, yes, bars. Among the fun coalition’s goals: repealing the 1984 happy hour ban.

News by Kim Córdova

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ArtWonk: A New Biweekly Column

Civic Culture Jul 09, 2026

ArtWonk: Nothing Says “Happy Birthday, America” like Attacking the Smithsonian and Violating the Rules of Soccer

A new White House report targeting the Smithsonian makes clear that museums are only one piece of a much broader cultural policy agenda. Plus: the Creative Space Act reaches a critical moment on Beacon Hill, New York expands arts funding, and labor organizers strike at the Guggenheim.

News by Kim Córdova

Civic Culture Jun 25, 2026

ArtWonk: Summertime Brings the World Cup, Tall Ships, and MA250, but Where Are the Arts?

The state and city spent months gearing up for what has been promised to be a major tourism boom, but the arts have been left out of the plans at every step. Plus: the state’s highest court strikes down a rent control ballot question, Boston’s FY27 budget heads toward the finish line, Somerville secures affordable artist studios, and Congress threatens the nation’s only dedicated federal arts education grant.

News by Kim Córdova

Various spreads from Boston Art Review's Issue 11: Emerge, spread on a grey background

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