AGO

• As reports of military machinations and diplomatic efforts have gained attention, the art world has struggled with responses to the horrors of this war.
• For example, controversy and calls for transparency and accountability followed the departure of Anishinaabe-kwe curator Wanda Nanibush from the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO).
• After the Royal Ontario Museum tried to change a Palestinian American artist’s work, Jenin Yaseen staged a sit-in and others protested.

Endeavouring to speak truthfully, meaningfully

• Rights, limits, regulation and the purpose of artists’ work are what is at stake in this discussion.
• An investigation is underway to see how the gallery’s policies may have impacted the board’s decision-making.

People trying to create and speak truth

• Some might suggest that artists should entertain and enlighten us but stay away from contentious issues.
• I believe artists have a unique role, different than that of journalists, political leaders or even documentary filmmakers.

Art and our lives

• Thinking about “art worlds” as “patterns of collective activity,” as Becker does, helps us to think about art in relationship to our social and political lives, and the conditions under which artists create.
• Art schools, professional organizations, galleries and performance spaces all play a part in enabling some artists and their messages to shine, whether through financial support, attention or time — while constraining or even silencing others.

• At the same time, they prescribe behaviours and actions that constrain both artists and the public perception of their work.
• In this way, the support systems around artistic work have political implications, just as much as the art itself may have.

Discipline via funding

• As I examined in my doctoral research, the Summerworks Theatre Festival briefly lost funding from Canadian Heritage in 2011 after staging playwright Catherine Frid’s controversial play Homegrown.
• This was after a high-profile 2006 RCMP investigation saw 18 Muslim individuals accused of terrorism.
• (Charges against seven people were stayed or dropped, while four people were convicted).

What do we want from our artists?

• People around the world face what some scholars and activists have called a “polycrisis.” Artists represent and reflect this social and political upheaval.
• Theatres across the world stage performances or screenings — like The Gaza Monologues — to try to represent Palestinian voices.
• And we should be mindful of desires to discipline the art world at a time when its voices are so deeply needed.

Lowell Gasoi does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• Assured Guaranty Ltd. (NYSE:AGO) (Assured Guaranty or the Company) announced that, as of January 1, 2024, Chief Financial Officer Robert A. Bailenson will be appointed Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Actuary Benjamin G. Rosenblum will succeed him as Chief Financial Officer.
• “Assured Guaranty has a deep, highly experienced, and well-established senior management team, and these promotions further reinforce the core of Assured Guaranty’s steady leadership,” said Dominic J. Frederico, President and Chief Executive Officer.
• He has been Chief Financial Officer of Assured Guaranty Ltd. since June 2011 and held a number of previous leadership positions with Assured Guaranty and its predecessor companies.
• Most recently, he was instrumental in completing the transaction that resulted in the combination of Assured Investment Management with Sound Point Capital Management.

• Most recently serving as Chief of the Health Care Division at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO), Gold will leverage his policy and enforcement background to advise public and private sector clients on matters including health policy, state regulatory issues and government investigations.
• He will work across health care access, health equity, mental health, substance use disorder and other commercial marketplace issues.
• “Eric’s unique governmental leadership background paired with his experience working across virtually all corners of health care spans our entire platform and has many synergies with our health care consulting, litigation and white collar defense offerings,” said Donna L. Wilson , CEO and Managing Partner of Manatt.
• He also led civil investigations and litigation under the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act involving the health care sector, including payers, providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

• Sound Point Capital Management, LP, a credit-oriented investment manager overseeing approximately $32 billion in total assets, is pleased to announce it has hired Gunther Stein to become Head and Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of its U.S.
• “The addition of Gunther as Head and CIO of our U.S. performing credit platform is a major win for our franchise,” said Stephen Ketchum, Sound Point’s Managing Partner and CEO.
• “I’m thrilled to be joining Sound Point at such a pivotal time in its growth trajectory,” said Stein.
• In time, under Mr. Stein’s leadership, Sound Point expects to launch new initiatives in the performing credit space.