Arts May 04 What Breonna Taylor’s name and image is teaching America about Black lives A year and a half after the police killing of Breonna Taylor during a raid of her home, no one has been charged in her death. Now her life, death, and the larger questions they raise about policing, and the…
Arts Apr 22 ‘It was like freedom:’ How a camp for disabled children changed lives Can summer camp change the world? The documentary “Crip Camp” makes the case that one particular camp impacted the lives not only of the young people there but the culture at large, through the fight for disability rights. The film,…
Arts Apr 19 ‘A lesson in authenticity:’ Andra Day reflects on the experience of playing Billie Holiday The new film "The United States Vs. Billie Holiday" takes on the life of "Lady Day," the great Billie Holiday. And the woman playing her — Andra Day — is winning raves of her own with a nomination for best…
Arts Apr 08 How Gabby Giffords is using music to rewire her brain after being shot President Joe Biden reached out to, and fist-bumped, former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords at the White House Rose Garden Thursday -- A moment to mark a new push to curb gun violence. Giffords was shot in the head in 2011,…
Arts Apr 06 Theater tools help these students accept different perspectives In a moment marked by deep political and cultural divides, a program named "In Your Shoes" looks to harness tricks of the stage to step into the shoes of others and help students understand different perspectives. Jeffrey Brown has the…
Arts Mar 22 How one doctor’s love for poetry helps him communicate with patients better As a part of our Arts and Culture series, CANVAS, Jeffrey Brown takes a look at the intersection of the alchemy of health and art with his profile of Fady Joudah, the physician-poet — or perhaps poet-physician.
Arts Mar 10 Leveraging the power of art to achieve ‘community immunity’ The pandemic has highlighted structural inequities within American life, including a disproportionate impact on Black communities and poorer neighborhoods and access to and attitudes toward the vaccine. A new national public health campaign is trying to reach some Black Americans…
Arts Feb 19 Wynton Marsalis meets the moment with jazz and a focus on the nation’s founding principles Trumpet player, composer and jazz ambassador Wynton Marsalis is one of the country’s leading cultural figures. He is again meeting the moment with music, writing and recording his new composition "The Democracy! Suite" amid the pandemic. Jeffrey Brown has the…
Arts Feb 10 A leading playwright and a pioneering virologist marry science and art on stage A new interactive theatrical production, "The Catastrophist," follows the story of a scientist thrilled by discovery and pained by loss. It was written by playwright Lauren Gunderson about her husband's life as a leading researcher into the causes and effects…
Arts Jan 29 Regina King’s first film captures a historical moment behind closed doors In her directorial debut, renowned actor Regina King's new film explores a 1960s gathering of four famous friends -- Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Jim Brown and Sam Cooke, who debated their work and responsibilities as Black men. Jeffrey Brown takes…