The art post outpost: In appreciation of public libraries, natural beauty and Canada's best music

Here at CBC Arts, you won't just find our original content — we also bring you the best art posts from across the entire CBC network.

These are the week's can't-miss stories from coast to coast:

Peter Lindbergh's no-frills Pirelli calendar portraits 'a cry against the terror of perfection' (CBC News)

Pirelli's annual calendar was once known for racy, sometimes nude photos of models in exotic locales — but following last year's Annie Leibovitz-helmed calendar, this year's is taking another step in a dramatically different direction. Renowned German photographer Peter Lindbergh's collection, entitled "Emotion," celebrates natural beauty with toned-down photos of actresses like Nicole Kidman and Uma Thurman. As Kidman puts it: "The courage to be yourself is the epitome of confidence and power."

• Drake, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber: The rise of Canadian R&B is more than just a moment
• Only Dr. Seuss could create these travelling 'stuffed beasts'​
• Little monsters: How 'brutal knitting' lets this artist challenge her inner demons

Why we still need public libraries in the digital age (The Sunday Edition)

Think the internet has made libraries expendable? John Patemon, Thunder Bay Public Library's "unrepentant revolutionary" CEO, would like a word. He joined Michael Enright to make an impassioned defence of the public library, arguing that the "bewildering sprawl" of information available to us makes their safeguards — the humble librarian — more important than ever.

Gord Downie's Secret Path leads to legacy project in honour of Chanie Wenjack (CBC Nova Scotia)

After the country experienced Gord Downie's Secret Path project in October, the conversation is shifting from looking back at Canada's colonial history to looking forward at where we should go next. Now, Mike Downie, Pearl Wenjack and Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Morley Googoo have announced their next effort: dedicating "legacy rooms" in public spaces across the country to promote the discussion and understanding of Indigenous issues.

• And the AIMIA AGO Photography Prize winner is...​
• Art and HIV: This powerful public poster series is challenging how we look at the virus
• Prairie gothic: How one photographer is exploring the supernatural in Saskatchewan

25 best Canadian albums of the year (CBC Music)

The music world has seen tremendous loss this year, with legends like David Bowie, Prince and Leonard Cohen passing away. But in their roundup of the year's best albums, CBC Music celebrates the Canadian artists who may be next to take up the torch. From up-and-comers like Clairmont the Second and PUP to established household names like The Weeknd and Tegan & Sara, their list affirms that the future is bright after a difficult year. Where did your favourite Canadian artist end up?

Lauren Graham on the joys of playing Lorelai Gilmore (q)

Following q's Gilmore Girls premiere day debrief, Lorelai Gilmore herself — actress Lauren Graham — chatted with Tom Power about why the reunion has been just as important to those making the show as those watching it. "What was new in coming back was a great deal of emotion surrounded it," she explains, "a real sense of gratitude and an ability to be present in a way that I hadn't been." Forget "oy with the poodles" — we could listen to these two talk for hours.

• Let a young Lorne Michaels school you on one of comedy's most important truths
• By projecting news videos into teacups, this artist reveals just how fragile the world is
• Nations & Migrations: New film series confronts 'comfortable truths' about life as an immigrant

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