Arts Sep 25 Citizen historians document Smithsonian exhibits under White House scrutiny The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education and research complex. It's a public-private trust that has long operated at arm's length from the White House, but now finds itself under unprecedented scrutiny from the Trump administration. Jeffrey Brown…
Arts Sep 19 Music festival helps artists confront and manage the industry’s mental health impact The music industry, for all the glamour and excitement, can be grueling with tragic consequences. A 2024 MusiCares survey revealed that over 8% of respondents within the industry had serious thoughts of suicide, notably higher than the 5% rate among…
Arts Sep 16 A look at the life, career and activism of legendary actor Robert Redford Robert Redford, a screen legend, filmmaker, environmentalist and tireless champion of independent voices in cinema, died Tuesday at 89. Revered for his magnetic presence on screen in classics like "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "The Sting" and "All the…
Arts Sep 09 Dan Brown on the mysteries and mayhem in his new thriller, ‘The Secret of Secrets’ Mysteries and codes, religious rites and scientific formulas. That’s the world of Dan Brown’s thrillers, most famously "The Da Vinci Code," and his latest, "The Secret of Secrets." Secrets and codes are also part of Brown’s own life. Senior arts…
Arts Aug 28 New Hampshire arts groups face double budget blow as state slashes funding Cuts to the arts at the federal level have been in the news, but some states are also slashing their funding. In New Hampshire, the cultural sector generated some $3.5 billion in revenue in 2023, but arts groups there now…
Arts Aug 21 Tour of giant, brightly colored creatures celebrates artistic heritage of Oaxaca They’re called fantastic animals, brightly colored wooden creatures inspired by the world of Mexican magical realism. Giant versions of these animals are on a tour across the U.S., celebrating Mexico’s rich cultural heritage and promoting diplomacy during a contentious time.
Arts Aug 18 Newly released tapes reveal intimate reflections by Woody Guthrie Nearly 60 years after his death, there is a renewed interest in the life and music of American folk icon and social activist Woody Guthrie. Last week, an album of songs and recordings of him talking was released, and Guthrie’s…
Arts Aug 12 Maine arts residency gives Black and Brown artists a platform to develop their craft Indigo Arts Alliance is an organization focused on supporting contemporary Black and Brown artists and opening doors to artists of color worldwide. It's doing all of this from its home in an unlikely place: Maine. Jeffrey Brown reports for our…
Arts Aug 06 Composer reimagines his Harvey Milk opera while rebuilding life after traumatic injury Harvey Milk’s name returned to headlines after the defense secretary ordered the name of the slain gay rights advocate, who served in the Navy, removed from a naval ship. But Milk’s legacy lives on in other ways, including in an…
Arts Jul 29 ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ actor and composer on the musical that’s captivating Broadway The title of the musical “Maybe Happy Ending” might leave you guessing about the storyline, but there’s no doubt the show itself is getting its due. It recently won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown…