YouTube: A Music Industry Friend or Foe?: Red Hot Chili Peppers manager Peter Mensch recently slammed YouTube over unfair payment of artists, yet again drawing public attention to the debate about fair artist revenue in the online streaming world. Mensch reportedly said of the video giant: “YouTube, they’re the devil…We don’t get paid at all.” While YouTube does pay artists, managers, labels, and publishers, many argue that it is not enough, or comparable to other popular streaming services. IFPI estimates that last year YouTube generated $643 million in royalty payments for labels, while Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer collectively generated $2 billion. YouTube often responds to such criticisms by arguing that monthly subscription fees are not feasible for their model, and the service can only be monetized using advertisements. For many labels, the revenue issues resulting from a partnership with YouTube are outweighed by the marketing benefits; viewer hits on YouTube can often help to “make” even obscure artists popular (with a particularly extreme case being Psy’s “Gangnam Style”). Ultimately this debate rages on, as musicians and artists fight for fair payment and companies struggle to continue offering free services to the public.

Court Orders La Scala Ballerina Be Rehired: Italy’s top court has ruled that former La Scala ballerina Mariafrancesca Garritano be rehired after an unfair dismissal in 2012 amidst considerable controversy. Garritano, now 37, was fired from the company after she made comments in a book and various interviews suggesting that the company’s dance school was responsible for multiple cases of anorexia in its young dancers. In one such interview, Garritano recalled the punishing nicknames she received in the school for her weight and asserted that about 70 percent of the dancers with her at the La Scala school ate so little that their periods stopped; she herself experienced frequent stomach pains as well as bone fractures from extreme dieting. While it is unclear whether or not La Scala will reinstate Garritano, as they have refused request for comment on the ruling, Garritano is hopeful about returning to the company. Her original dismissal, and now the decision from the Court of Cassation, help to bring attention to the prevalence of eating disorders in the professional ballet world. Hopefully Garritano can be an inspiration to other ballerinas struggling with the high pressure of the ballet world and encourage dancers not to forsake health for art.

Beautiful Libraries of the Future: In our increasingly digital world, many have forsaken libraries altogether. As libraries are forced to compete with those turning to Kindles, iPhones, and laptops for their reading needs, many have chosen to expand the range of services they offer to the public. Many libraries provide space for art gallery exhibitions, host community events, and provide free Internet and work space for those who otherwise would not be able to afford them. Libraries strive to become increasingly involved in local community life, sponsoring events and serving as a gathering place for curious and creative minds. As the needs of library patrons change, so do the spaces designed for them. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) explained that “as the traditional role of libraries evolves, the designs of these community spaces have changed to reflect the needs of the surrounding residence.” In this spirit, the AIA selected seven new libraries, beautiful in design and innovative in purpose, from across the country that herald this transition. These new libraries will no doubt be priceless community gathering places, supporting the lifelong learning and the arts.