Arts Sep 19 Groundbreaking educator recounts remarkable life in a new memoir Ruth Simmons grew up in a deeply segregated part of Texas to become one of the country’s most distinguished educators, as president of three colleges and the first African American women to head an Ivy League university. But her new…
Nation Sep 14 A look at the regional theaters fighting to save their historic art form Regional theater has been a glory of the American cultural scene for many decades, bringing great plays and musicals to audiences in cities all across the country. But the pandemic and a host of other societal shifts have led to…
Arts Sep 06 How an elite music school is increasing access for students with disabilities In a series of reports, Jeffrey Brown has looked at the intersection of arts and health. Recently, he traveled to the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education in Boston to see a program bringing music into the lives of people…
Arts Aug 29 Landscape architect Kate Orff shares visionary goal of nature-based infrastructure If you think of landscape architecture, you might conjure gardens and plantings. But in a rapidly changing climate fueled by intense heat, flooding, fires, smoke and hurricanes, architect and designer Kate Orff is helping redefine her field and push us…
Arts Aug 21 Artist examines legacy of Vietnam War and its impact on his own life in new exhibition An exhibit at The New Museum in New York explores the legacy of the Vietnam War through the films and sculptures of an artist whose own life has been defined by that very legacy. Jeffrey Brown takes a look for…
Arts Aug 17 Ann Patchett on the inspirations for her latest novel, ‘Tom Lake’ Amid the pandemic, a woman tells her three now-grown daughters a story of her youth, a love affair, a path she might have taken but didn’t. While they, in turn, tell her of their hopes and fears for the future.
Arts Aug 08 James McBride discusses the themes in his new novel, ‘The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store’ The National Book Award-winning author James McBride has a new novel out, "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store." Like much of McBride’s work, it’s rooted in race, religion and personal history. Jeffrey Brown turns the page for our arts and…
Arts Aug 04 Studios and writers return to contract negotiations for first time in 3 months Major studios and producers are sitting down with the Writers Guild of America for the first time in three months. The writers strike began before the summer then actors joined in after contract negotiations broke down over similar issues. The…
Arts Aug 02 Why Sinéad O’Connor’s legacy is deeper than her music In the days since Sinéad O’Connor’s death at age 56, there’s been an outpouring of appreciation for the Irish singer-songwriter’s music and her legacy. Jeffrey Brown talks with Una Mullally of The Irish Times about what made O’Connor both a…
Arts Jul 31 How Jason Aldean’s controversial hit song became a cultural flashpoint One of the most popular country music hits of the summer is Jason Aldean's "Try That In A Small Town." But the song has ignited controversy and faced backlash from fans who say the lyrics encourage racism and violence. The…