Galleries, Gatekeepers, and an 82-Year-Old Pole Dancer

The art world's reliance on galleries is questioned in an Ocula opinion piece, which asks whether artists truly need them, suggesting that galleries may sell access or permission rather than essential services. In Philadelphia, the Curtis Institute of Music is investing $25 million in the former University of the Arts building, which includes a 2,900-square-foot rehearsal hall. Universal Music Group reported a 13% revenue increase in the first quarter of 2026, reaching $3.8 billion. Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, has experienced visible tension throughout the summer, as reported by The New York Times. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video are pressuring France to eliminate the requirement that they invest in French production. The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., ended public tours just three days after The New York Times profiled one of its volunteer tour guides, an 84-year-old. Finally, an 82-year-old Italian woman has been recognized as the world's oldest competitive pole dancer, according to the New York Post.