American Academy of Arts and Letters expands, diversifies
(AP Photo)NEW YORK – One of the country's oldest cultural instititutions, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, is undergoing some of its biggest changes in more than a century. AdHarjo, the first Native American to be appointed U.S. poet laureate, said she looked forward to having an influence on future academy choices. “There are so many incredible Native visual artists,” she told the AP, while also citing such authors as N. Scott Momaday and Leslie Marmon Silko. But the academy will still call itself an academy, while working to make itself more accessible to artists and to the general public. Besides choosing members, the academy also gives dozens of prizes and grants each year, totalling more than $1 million.
New this week: Sia, Clarice Starling and Kristen Wiig
Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. One nominee, “Judas and the Black Messiah," arrives on HBO Max (as well as in theaters) on Friday. Ad— Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo's last writing partnership turned out pretty well. Ad— AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSIC— Sia’s Golden Globe-nominated directorial debut, “Music,” will be accompanied with a 14-track album. Ad— “Silence of the Lambs” is three decades in the rearview mirror, but only a year has passed as CBS’ “Clarice” picks up the story of FBI Agent Clarice Starling.