About Jeffrey
Jeffrey Brown is a senior correspondent and chief arts correspondent for the PBS NewsHour.
In his 30-year career with the NewsHour, Brown has served as co-anchor, studio moderator, and field reporter on a wide range of national and international issues, with work taking him around the country and to many parts of the globe. As arts correspondent he has profiled many of the world's leading writers, musicians, actors and other artists. Recently, Brown presented a multi-year series, "Culture at Risk," about threatened cultural heritage in the United States and abroad. He created and hosts the NewsHour's online "Art Beat" and also hosts the monthly book club, "Now Read This," a collaboration with The New York Times.
Brown is author of a collection of poetry, titled "The News" and serves as an advisor to the Sun Valley Writers Conference. His numerous honors include a News & Documentary Emmy Award and multiple CINE Golden Eagle Awards. He earned a bachelor's degree in classics from the University of California, Berkeley, a master's degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, an honorary degree (D.H.L) from Wesley College, and attended the UC Berkeley School of Law.
Jeffrey’s Recent Stories
Arts Jul 16
Author Colson Whitehead on ‘The Nickel Boys’ and fantasy vs. realismPulitzer-winning author Colson Whitehead’s latest novel, “The Nickel Boys,” is based on the true story of a boys’ reform school in the Florida Panhandle that became notorious for horrific abuse. Jeffrey Brown sat down with Whitehead recently to discuss why…
Arts Jul 12
Folk legend Joan Baez reflects on a life in music and activismAfter six decades performing, folk legend Joan Baez is saying farewell to music with a tour this summer. But before setting off, she sat down with Jeffrey Brown to talk about her long career in music and political activism, and…
Arts Jul 01
Book recommendations for every kind of summer readerThis summer, many vacationers will be packing a good book along with their sunscreen and towels. NPR’s Maureen Corrigan and The Washington Post’s Carlos Lozada join Jeffrey Brown to review a collection of the season’s best reads, including novels that…
Arts Jun 28
What this year’s Whitney Biennial says about contemporary American artThe biennial exhibit at the Whitney Museum of American Art represents a big moment for contemporary art, featuring some of its biggest names. While works tackle various major social and political issues of the moment, they tend to do so…
Poetry Jun 26
At this D.C. jail, a book club offers a safe spaceReading and writing can provide a profession, a passion or an escape from reality. In Washington, D.C., the Free Minds Book Club positions the activities as mechanisms through which incarcerated people can express themselves in healthy and constructive ways. As…
Arts Jun 21
Why critics seemed ‘absolutely irrelevant’ for this youth-driven Broadway musical“Be More Chill,” a Broadway musical written by Joe Tracz and scored by Joe Iconis, explores the emotional rollercoaster of growing up -- with a magical twist. The show’s release comes on the heels of several other successful musicals about…
Arts Jun 20
The life and legacy of opera star Luciano Pavarotti, according to Ron HowardAcclaimed director Ron Howard has released a new documentary on the life of opera star Luciano Pavarotti, who grew up in Modena, Italy, and rose to fame with the global phenomenon The Three Tenors. The film is filled with archival…
Arts Jun 14
With the Juke Joint Festival, a Mississippi city aims to lose its economic bluesIn Mississippi’s Clarksdale, the heart of the rural Delta, a celebration of the blues has been drawing thousands of fans to the area for the past 16 years. The Juke Joint Festival, named for bars and informal music venues scattered…
Arts Jun 11
Which movies to see in the theater this summerThis summer, movie screens will feature a variety of long-awaited blockbusters, sequels and reboots, such as "Toy Story 4" and the live-action version of "The Lion King." But there will also be documentaries, independents and directorial debuts. Jeffrey Brown speaks…
Nation Jun 10
The painstaking process of repairing a damaged cathedralThe Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., sustained major damage during a rare 2011 earthquake. Nearly eight years later, reconstruction is still underway at the country's second-largest church. Jeffrey Brown visited the landmark to learn more about the long and…
