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Welcome to the Ministry of Culture: Where Art Goes to Die Quietly in a Patriotically Approved Corner

Nothing screams “freedom” quite like the government telling museums which stories are too real and which artists are too brown.

In the latest installment of “Make Art Great Again,” Trump’s regime has decided that cultural institutions like the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center are just a little too independent. Can’t have artists running around making people think or, doG forbid, reflect. So out goes “The Shape of Power” exhibit for being “divisive,” and in comes a new aesthetic: Norman Rockwell, but make it autocratic.

The Smithsonian’s been told to clean house, and we all know what that means. Anything that centers race, systemic injustice, queer identity, or uncomfortable truths gets quietly repatriated to oblivion. Meanwhile, the Kennedy Center has seen its Social Impact team dismantled and its Artistic Director fired; for what? Caring too much about actual impact. Apparently, art that speaks to society is now “inappropriate.” Unless, of course, it’s glorifying flags, founding fathers, or folks who’ve never had to protest anything other than brunch prices.

We’ve seen this playbook before. It ran in Germany. It aired in Italy. It sold out stadiums in 1930s Europe. Authoritarian regimes don’t hate art—they just hate art they can’t control. And now, in 2025 America, the long knives have been replaced by executive orders and budget cuts.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a culture war. It’s a cultural purge; a forced rewriting of national memory, where history gets edited with the same grace and subtlety as a Soviet photo archive.

You might think, “Well, they’re just targeting a few exhibits or programs.” But this is death by a thousand redactions. A chilling signal to artists, curators, and institutions: Comply or be cut. Conform or be canceled (ironically, by the same people who whine about cancel culture between golf rounds and grift emails).

The real tragedy? We’re watching it happen in real time—this gutting of public arts, this sanitizing of culture—and people are still asking, “But isn’t this just about restoring balance?” Sure. If by balance you mean tipping everything into the sea and lighting it on fire.

So here’s to the brave artists who refuse to be scrubbed out of history, and to the rest of us: wake up. Because the last time governments told museums what they could show, the world got a lot darker. And no one’s commissioning murals about that. #ArtsAndCulture #Censorship #FreedomOfExpression #CulturalHeritage #MuseumLeadership #ArtsAdvocacy #HumanRights #PublicPolicy #CreativeFreedom #LeadershipInCrisis #DefendTheArts #HistoricalNarrative #SocialImpact #CivicEngagement #Smithsonian #KennedyCenter #Authoritarianism #RewritingHistory #ArtMatters #voicesthatmatter

Amplifying Voices: Music, Equity, and the Lessons of “America’s Own” In a world where educational equity remains a hotly debated topic, a recent 60 Minutes segment offers a powerful real-world lesson that resonates deeply. The story, titled “Amplifying Voices: Music, Equity, and the Lessons of ‘America’s Own’,” highlights how music can serve as a transformative tool for fostering equity and understanding. This segment dives into the intersection of education and the arts, showcasing how initiatives centered on music can bridge gaps and create opportunities for underserved communities. It’s a reminder that equity isn’t just about access to resources—it’s about amplifying voices that are often unheard and empowering individuals to share their stories. What makes this story so compelling is its focus on real-world impact. By exploring the lessons of “America’s Own,” the segment underscores the role of cultural expression in education, offering a fresh perspective on how we can address systemic inequities. Whether you’re an educator, a music enthusiast, or someone passionate about social justice, this story is a must-watch. Check out the full segment on 60 Minutes to learn more about how music is being used to drive change and inspire the next generation. 🎶📚 Read more on Flipboard #Education #Equity #Music #SocialImpact #60Minutes

Posted into Flipboard EDU Podcast @flipboard-edu-podcast-coachjeffery

Hey, FediFriends! Professor Shakespeare needs more participants for her prelim study on food allergies and social access.

Do you have celiac, food allergies, sensitivities, and/or restrictions that impact your ability to go out with friends? Please take her quick survey -- she really wants to better understand the complexities involved! (And she's super great. I really hope she gets enough responses to do this research.) #allergies #research #socialimpact

tufts.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/S

Regulations, originally designed to protect citizens and end consumers, are evolving into such complexity that they end up limiting choices.

Today, I received two calls about this. One from a client (amazing people, both personally and professionally). They received a request from a minor client working in the social sector, to whom they provide a service without any profit, charging only a flat rate for reimbursement of expenses. Their goal is to help in their mission.

But there's an issue: their social classification forces them to obtain certifications—required from their suppliers—that would cost so much they make it impossible. In my opinion, these certifications are unnecessary and inapplicable to their reality, yet there seems to be no choice. The alternative? Turning to a big player. That way, they’d feel reassured because "no one has ever been fired for choosing ***."

Now, forcing them to spend more, hand over their data to a foreign company (which could use it for AI training), and receive inferior service—just to have some papers that would protect them from potential lawsuits or fines—doesn't seem fair. A worse service, lower security, and far higher costs.

Regulations are welcome, but within reasonable limits.

We would love to connect with more filmmakers in the Fediverse!

If you are a filmmaker, please say hi. And if you follow great filmmakers, please share your recommendations.

Thank you!

Edited to say: Boosts on this are welcome and appreciated. Thanks again!

#FollowFriday #AskFedi #Film #Filmmaker #Filmmakers #Filmmaking #IndieFilm #IndieFilmmakers #IndieFilmmaking #Directors #Director #FilmDirectors #DirectorOfPhotography #Producer #Producers #FilmProducer #SocialImpact #SocialImpactProducer @film

Are you a social impact filmmaker who wants to expand the reach and lifespan of your film? Journeys in Film is the leading creator of educational resources for narrative and documentary films. We partner with premier filmmakers to create customized impact materials that promote proactive learning and spark community awareness around important social issues.

Explore how we can help you harness the storytelling power of your film in 2025. Contact us to learn more.

journeysinfilm.org/contact_us/

@film #Film #FilmMastodon #Filmmaking #Filmmaker #SocialImpact #FilmProducer

🎥✨ Moshis Weg zu #Bildung und #Chancen in #Tansania
Ein Video von Gideon, der den Kindern vor Ort Zugang zu IT ermöglicht 🌍💻
🎁 Machen Sie mit! Unternehmen und Einzelpersonen können helfen, indem sie Laptops spenden, sich an Bildungsinitiativen beteiligen oder sich ehrenamtlich engagieren.
labdoo.org/deu/de/mach-mit/
Digitale Teilhabe für alle und Bildungschancen ermöglichen.
#labdoo #EducationForAll #SocialImpact #DigitalInclusion #tanzania #africa #afrika #danke #thankyou