Hey, I’m Elliott Bledsoe and I am the grumpy cat of arts marketing!
Here Elliott Bledsoe explores WTF is up with AI, the arts, technology, marketing, copyright and open knowledge.
What’s worth reading
WTF happend to Adelaide Writers' Week?
Yesterday Adelaide Writers’ Week was cancelled. It underscores the need to better protect artistic independence, foster respectful debate and reassert the arts societal role.
WTF now?! #8 – Monday 3–Sunday 9 March 2025
Facebook hid Cyclone Alfred content and should be made to answer why, Trump is taking over the arts, Creative Australia may be painting a target on its back and other social platforms don’t want YouTube exempt from the social media age ban.
WTF now?! #17 – Thursday 8–Wednesday 14 January 2026
In under a week Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Writers' Week have collapsed under the weight of boycotts and bad decisions.
WTF happend to Adelaide Writers' Week?
Yesterday Adelaide Writers’ Week was cancelled. It underscores the need to better protect artistic independence, foster respectful debate and reassert the arts societal role.
WTF now?! #17 – Thursday 8–Wednesday 14 January 2026
In under a week Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Writers' Week have collapsed under the weight of boycotts and bad decisions.
WTF now?! #15 – Monday 28 April–Sunday 4 May 2025
Things look a little brigther for the arts in Australia with an Albanese second term, but Trump’s proposed 2026 budget threatens more funding cuts to key arts and cultural agencies in America.
WTF now?! #16 – Thursday 1–Wednesday 7 January 2026
People are using Grok to derobe people in photos – and X doesn't seem concerned. Underfunding and changing community needs could undermine increased library use. Trump's renaming of the Kennedy Center attracts boycotts, lawsuits and parody.
WTF now?! #13 – Monday 7–Sunday 13 April 2025
More arts industry associations have come out with election asks, Spotify is investing in a new Australian music campaign, Wikimedia Foundation looks at the impact of AI web scraping on free knowledge and more.
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