Major cultural institutions see shifts, with Yaddo's president stepping down, while iconic art pieces like the Rocky statue find new homes, and controversies surrounding art censorship emerge in Colorado. Valuable historical artifacts like a Nazi-looted Jewish prayer book are set for auction, and efforts continue for the restitution of Benin Bronzes, alongside charity initiatives offering a Picasso. The cultural landscape also features celebrations of the best in theater, film, and books of 2025, reflections on classic holiday narratives, discussions on drama exploring the impact of technology on loneliness, and new music reissues.

• The President of the Yaddo Artist Retreat Steps Down — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Rocky’ Statue to Move to Where It Started: Philadelphia’s Art Museum Steps — New York Times Arts -
• Charity Raffle Offers a Chance at a Picasso for a $120 Ticket — New York Times Arts -

• Why Return to ‘A Christmas Carol’? To Find Something New. — New York Times Arts -
• History Colorado Center Rejects Painting, Citing Campaign Finance Law — New York Times Arts -
• 16 Best Theater Moments of 2025 — New York Times Arts -
• The Best Genre Movies of 2025 — New York Times Arts -
• Our Phones Are Making Us Lonely. There’s Drama in That. — New York Times Arts -
• Rare 15th Century Jewish Prayer Book, Looted by the Nazis, to Be Sold — New York Times Arts -
• Rare 15th Century Jewish Prayer Book, Looted by the Nazis, to Be Sold — New York Times Arts -
• 15 Deep-Dive, Goodies-Filled Boxed Sets and Reissues From 2025 — New York Times Arts -
• The Best Thriller Books of 2025 — New York Times Books -
• These Looted Benin Bronzes Are Home. What Now? — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Marjorie Prime’ Review: A.I. Gave Her Back Her Husband. Was It Worth It? — New York Times Arts -

Key celebrity figures face ongoing legal and personal challenges, with Allison Mack's NXIVM story resurfacing in a new podcast and Jennifer Shah's early prison release, while Ricki Lake experiences a heartwarming recovery of lost family photos. The industry gears up for Sundance 2026 with a star-studded lineup including Charli XCX and Olivia Wilde, director Ryan Coogler discusses his latest work, and new television series focusing on women writers gain attention. Discussions arise on the impact of AI actors on human performance, and late-night comedy tackles current events.

• ‘Allison After NXIVM’ Untangles a Cult Disciple’s Years of Delusional Thinking — New York Times Arts -
• A Stranger Found Ricki Lake’s Lost Family Photos After L.A. Wildfires — New York Times Arts -
• Jennifer Shah, Former ‘Real Housewives’ Star, Is Released Early From Prison — New York Times Arts -

• Sundance 2026 Lineup Includes Charli XCX and Olivia Wilde — New York Times Arts -
• Ryan Coogler on ‘Sinners,’ Chadwick Boseman and Why He Declined to Join the Academy — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Merv’ Review: Not Much to Gnaw On — New York Times Arts -
• A.I. Actors Might Change Your View of Human Ones — New York Times Movies -
• ‘Allison After NXIVM’ desentraña los años de delirios de una discípula de la secta — New York Times Arts -
• Jessie Buckley is a Grieving Mother in Hamnet — New York Times Arts -
• “Pluribus” and “The Beast In Me” Put Women Writers Front and Center — New York Times Arts -
• Late Night Doesn’t Want to Sweat at the Airport — New York Times Arts -

The entertainment world mourns the loss of opera star Donald McIntyre, pioneering TV writer Stephen Downing, Mavericks frontman Raul Malo, and bestselling author Sophie Kinsella. The community is also grappling with the tragic stabbing death of celebrated opera singer Jubilant Sykes.

• Donald McIntyre, 91, Dies; Starred in New Vision of Wagner’s Operas — New York Times Arts -
• Stephen Downing, Police Officer Who Wrote for TV, Dies at 87 — New York Times Arts -
• Raul Malo, Frontman of Latin-Tinged Country Band Mavericks, Dies at 60 — New York Times Arts -

• Sophie Kinsella, ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ Author, Dies at 55 — New York Times Arts -
• Jubilant Sykes, Celebrated Opera Singer, Is Stabbed to Death — New York Times Arts -