Tom Jacobs

Tom Jacobs is a former senior staff writer for Santa Barbara-based Pacific Standard magazine, and a former staff writer for the Los Angeles Daily News and Santa Barbara News-Press. He tracks and analyzes trends in the arts and social sciences, with an emphasis on psychology, the role of culture and the cultivation of creativity. A native of Chicago, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from Northwestern University.

Articles By This Author

Tom Jacobs - April 13, 2021

Terri and Jerry Kohl’s gift is one of the largest in the company’s history and helps underwrite a first-ever production of Oedipus Rex, among other things.

Tom Jacobs - March 20, 2021

The troubled conductor died March 9, four years after his fabled career ended in scandal over allegations of sexual misconduct.

Tom Jacobs - February 16, 2021

Jake Broder’s UnRavelled explores the relationship of creativity and dementia via the landmark composition and the painting it inspired.

Tom Jacobs - February 13, 2021

Jake Broder’s UnRavelled explores the relationship of creativity and dementia via the landmark composition and the painting it inspired.

Tom Jacobs - January 18, 2021

Arts organizations are flush with fresh ideas about how the arts can be central to rebuilding America’s economy and sense of community.

Tom Jacobs - December 1, 2020

Ambitious plans to make the conservatory fully equipped for remote collaboration get the intense focus only a pandemic could provide.

Tom Jacobs - June 30, 2017

Patrick Posey, Music Academy of the West's executive director, tells us how he renewed the 70-year-old festival through contemporary music.

Tom Jacobs - February 2, 2017

Bruckner Orchestra Linz’ music director chats about working with the legendary composer, and conducting.

Tom Jacobs - November 19, 2013

Finding inspiration in history and pop culture, composer Michael Daugherty launches a new work for strings, provoked by Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural style.

Tom Jacobs - November 6, 2013

When playing Mozart works, pianist Jeremy Denk finds himself fascinated with the boundary he crosses between light and dark, but always follows their beauty and wonder.