WELCOME TO DENTON: The University of North Texas has announced that Nick Cave will serve as artist-in-residence for the Institute for the Advancement of the Arts in the 2011-2012 academic year. And no, it’s not that Nick Cave. It’s renowned visual and performance artist Nick Cave, who is known for his Soundsuits sculptures. And the former UNT student has been commissioned to create a new piece for the spring.

FINDING FARAH: Could there be a portrait of Farah Fawcett by Andy Warhol out there that is missing? The University of Texas’ Blanton Museum has a Farah portrait, and some believe that a companion portrait – valued at $30 million – could be in the hands of Ryan O’Neal. So why is that a story? Well, Fawcett apparently left both portraits to the University when she died two years ago.

THE NEW TEACHER: Want to learn how to play an instrument? Don’t have time for all that boring practice? You might be in luck. A tool is being developed that takes control of your hands and electronically coaxes your fingers into the right position. Sign me up.