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For many years, arts advocates have argued for the link between well-funded museums, theaters and other arts outlets and the health of local economies. They tout the impact that the arts can have on cultural tourism and urban revitalization. But a new study from the RAND Corp. questions these assertions.

Renowned British broadcaster Alistair Cooke, the longtime host of PBS' Masterpiece Theatre, has died at his home in New York at the age of 95. No cause of death was given, but earlier this month, Cooke retired because of heart disease. For 58 years, Cooke's Letter from America program was heard on the BBC's World Service and Britain's Radio 4. NPR's Bob Edwards has a remembrance.

Jacobellis, a five-time Olympian, won her first gold medal during the women's snowboard cross event on Wednesday. She is also the oldest American woman to win a Winter Olympics gold medal.

A new exhibit in Chicago focuses on a single painting -- Georges Seurat's groundbreaking, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. The show features the trial-and-error preparations that led up to Seurat's masterpiece. NPR's Susan Stamberg reports on the exhibition, which opens Saturday at the Art Institute of Chicago and runs through Sept. 19.

Liev Schreiber stars as the real-estate salesman Ricky Roma in a production of Glengarry Glen Ross showered with Tony nominations. Schreiber, Alan Alda and Gordon Clapp are all nominated for best actor.

Fifty years ago, poet Allen Ginsberg gave the first public reading of "Howl" at a gathering in San Francisco. It was a literary milestone: Many consider that night the birth of the Beat Generation. Ginsberg's friend and fellow poet, Gary Snyder also read that night and recalls the event.

Dick Cavett's late-night show, launched on ABC in 1969, showcased a who's who of musicians of the day, among them Janis Joplin, Mick Jagger and David Bowie. A DVD series was released this week.

NPR's Bob Mondello reviews Murderball, a new documentary about the U.S. Paralympic Rugby team. The film offers a honest and raw look at the fierce -- and inspiring -- group of disabled competitors.

The highlights of Cicely Tyson's life and career tell a story of personal excellence -- and interesting choices. The Oscar-nominated actress is back on the silver screen in two recent films, and talks with NPR's Ed Gordon about balancing her acting career with her active humanitarian efforts.

Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan reviews the German film Downfall, a retelling of Hitler's final hours with an emphasis on the human being at the center of an unspeakable wave of evil. It was a controversial hit in Germany, and has been nominated for a best foreign film Oscar.