Reading for Battle
Battle Readings is a regularly updated compilation of articles, essays, and opinion pieces relevant to the themes of the Battle of Ideas.
Choose a theme from the listing on the left to narrow your search, or view all readings.
Arts & Culture
Can Poetry Matter?
American poetry now belongs to a subculture. No longer part of the mainstream of artistic and intellectual life, it has become the specialized occupation of a relatively small and isolated group. Little of the frenetic activity it generates ever reaches outside that closed group.
Dana Gioia, The Atlantic Monthly, May 1991
American poetry now belongs to a subculture. No longer part of the mainstream of artistic and intellectual life, it has become the specialized occupation of a relatively small and isolated group. Little of the frenetic activity it generates ever reaches outside that closed group.
Dana Gioia, The Atlantic Monthly, May 1991
On Theatre: the development of an aesthetic
Included is 'A Short Organum for the Theatre', Brecht's most complete statement of his revolutionary philosophy of the theatre.
Bertolt Brecht, Methuen Drama, 6 April 1978
Slow Fade to Black: The Negro in American Film, 1900-1942
Set against the backdrop of the black struggle in society, Slow Fade to Black is the definitive history of African-American accomplishment in film - both before and behind the camera - from the earliest movies through World War II.
Thomas Cripps, Oxford University Press, 1 February 1977
Set against the backdrop of the black struggle in society, Slow Fade to Black is the definitive history of African-American accomplishment in film - both before and behind the camera - from the earliest movies through World War II.
Thomas Cripps, Oxford University Press, 1 February 1977
The arts Britain ignores
Written at a time when the work of many first generation immigrant artists was being eschewed, this paper went on to have an enormous effect on arts policy throughout the 80s and beyond
Naseem Khan, Community Relations Commision, 1975
Written at a time when the work of many first generation immigrant artists was being eschewed, this paper went on to have an enormous effect on arts policy throughout the 80s and beyond
Naseem Khan, Community Relations Commision, 1975
Cultural Learning Alliance
The Cultural Learning Alliance is a collective voice working to ensure that all children and young people have meaningful access to culture in this difficult economic climate
The Cultural Learning Alliance is a collective voice working to ensure that all children and young people have meaningful access to culture in this difficult economic climate
How the Beast Lives
A review of The Nature of the Beast: Cultural Diversity and the Visual Arts Sector: A study of policies, initiatives and attitudes 1976-2006 by Richard Hylton
J. Dondan, Variant
A review of The Nature of the Beast: Cultural Diversity and the Visual Arts Sector: A study of policies, initiatives and attitudes 1976-2006 by Richard Hylton
J. Dondan, Variant
History of the Summer Games
A range of articles looking at the history of the Games - from the Ancient Games to modern times
Olympist
A range of articles looking at the history of the Games - from the Ancient Games to modern times
Olympist
A strategic framework for the arts
Informed by a major consultation earlier in the year, Achieving great art for everyone sets out a 10-year vision with five ambitious goals at its heart.
Arts Council England
Informed by a major consultation earlier in the year, Achieving great art for everyone sets out a 10-year vision with five ambitious goals at its heart.
Arts Council England
Is crowd-funding the future for documentaries?
While fundraising websites offer documentary-makers a novel way to finance projects, the concept has its flaws
Kate Bulkley, Guardian
While fundraising websites offer documentary-makers a novel way to finance projects, the concept has its flaws
Kate Bulkley, Guardian
Nuclear fusion and the future of energy
"I travel far to participate in the BOI; it’s a unique festival of free speech and debate that consistently combines energy, fearlessness and provocation with thoughtful, informed consideration of contemporary politics and culture."
Wendy Kaminer, US-based writer on law, liberty, feminism, religion, and popular culture
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