Arts Aug 20 Scholar says Trump’s efforts to reframe U.S. history is ‘reminiscent of McCarthyism’ President Trump described Smithsonian museums as “out of control” for emphasizing, in his view, “how bad slavery was.” It's part of a pattern by Trump in his second term to reframe historical narratives, in particular about racism and discrimination. Amna…
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 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…
Arts Jul 22 Branden Jacobs-Jenkins on the inspiration for ‘Purpose,’ his Tony-winning family drama It’s been a successful few months for 40-year-old writer Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and his play, “Purpose,” which won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown spoke with him recently at…
Arts Jul 10 Opera uses AI to give people with non-verbal disabilities a voice At an Omaha, Nebraska, festival this summer, new work explores the intersection of art, disability and technology, asking questions like "who has a voice?" and "who gets to be heard?" Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown reports on this unusual undertaking…
Arts Jun 10 Smithsonian board rejects Trump’s attempt to fire top leader The Smithsonian’s board of regents issued a statement on Monday declaring that “all personnel decisions are made by and subject to the direction of the secretary, with oversight by the board.” It comes amid President Trump's efforts to fire one…
Arts Jun 04 Local arts groups face budget gaps as NEA pulls grants On May 3, the National Endowment for the Arts sent emails to hundreds of arts organizations around the country terminating their grants. The abrupt loss of federal support has organizations scrambling to make up for budget shortfalls. Jeffrey Brown reports…
Arts May 01 Exploring the efforts to control how U.S. history is presented in museums and monuments The Trump administration has put its mark on the nation’s cultural sector. One focus is on how American history is told and presented in museums and monuments. That has roiled many in the academic and art worlds. Jeffrey Brown explores…
Arts Apr 23 ‘Sonic Heritage’ project lets people experience world’s most iconic places through sound If you think of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, you might conjure an image of Michelangelo’s famous ceiling. But what does that famous place, or any place, sound like? A new project timed to World Heritage Day asks us to…
Arts Apr 02 West Philadelphia uses art to confront neighborhood problems and threats to democracy Local arts organizations have the power to tackle everything from community challenges to threats against national democracy by expanding access to art. That mission drives one of the country’s most vibrant and diverse artistic hubs in West Philadelphia. Jeffrey Brown…