Monster Mash: Obamas change mind about painting; Gerard Butler goes Shakespeare; Pompidou’s roving museum

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

-- Second thoughts: The first family has apparently changed its mind about an artwork by Alma W. Thomas titled ‘Watusi (Hard Edge)’ that was chosen in October to hang in Michelle Obama’s office. (ARTnews and Washington Post)

-- Tough times still here: Foundation giving is expected to decline by more than 10% in 2009 and to fall even further next year. (Crain’s New York Business)

-- Star power: Gerard Butler has joined the cast of Ralph Fiennes’ coming film adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘Coriolanus.’ (Hollywood Reporter/Reuters)
-- Mobile art: The Pompidou Center in Paris plans to create a traveling museum that will bring masterpieces to disadvantaged neighborhoods in France. (Associated Press)

-- Songbook legend: Singer Michael Feinstein’s ‘All About Me’ is set to open on Broadway on March 30. (Variety)

-- Queasy: A chamber music group from Montreal has canceled a concert after the majority of the ensemble contracts salmonella poisoning. (Montreal Gazette)

-- Cutting back? Students at the Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia fear the institution may be curtailing free classes and other programs. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

-- Art appointment: Maine’s Farnsworth Art Museum has named Christopher Brownawell as its new director. (Bangor Daily News)

-- And in the L.A. Times: An Ed Ruscha print sells for a record amount; the Obamas host an evening of classical music at the White House; CalArts launches a new degree program.

-- David Ng