Feb 06 Watch 9:01 ‘Poet of Havana’ uses his music to address pain caused by politics By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport As Cuba stands to become even more isolated, many Cubans continue to leave and those who stay remain cut off from family in the United States. Carlos Varela, a singer known as “The Poet of Havana,” has been addressing the… Continue watching
Jan 31 Watch 10:00 Trombone Shorty and other musicians use their art as a gateway to better relations between the U.S. and Cuba By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport Can music be the gateway to closer relations between Americans and Cubans and help provide relief amidst the economic downturn and isolation? That is the hope of a group of musicians who have been forging a bond between young students. Continue watching
Nov 12 Watch 9:37 John Grisham chronicles real-life stories of people who were wrongly convicted in ‘Framed’ By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport When Centurion was founded, it was the first group of its kind working to overturn wrongful convictions for people facing execution or life. Decades later, the work continues and its story is being told by its founder and novelist John… Continue watching
Nov 01 Watch 7:26 Universities transform art museums into spaces for voting and political discourse By Jeffrey Brown, Lena I. Jackson During the final days of this tense election, we take a look at a project fostering a different type of civic space to encourage young people to discuss issues, engage each other and vote. Jeffrey Brown visited the University of… Continue watching
Oct 30 Watch 4:51 ‘Purpletown’ documents what people in politically divided areas still have in common By Sam Lane With the election days away, there is no shortage of reflections on American politics and democracy. Photographer Paul Shambroom has a unique view. His “Purpletown” project uses photos to examine the cities and towns most evenly divided politically. We spoke… Continue watching
Aug 15 Watch 7:49 A look at James Baldwin’s enduring influence on art and activism By Jeffrey Brown, Lena I. Jackson The legendary writer and activist James Baldwin would have turned 100 this month. He is best known for his novels and essays and as a moral voice addressing race, sexuality and the very fabric of American democracy. Jeffrey Brown looks… Continue watching
Aug 02 Watch 7:52 ‘You Are Here’ celebrates poetry in the natural world with National Park exhibits By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport A year-long project by the nation’s poet laureate focuses on the natural world and what’s at stake due to climate change. Ada Limon’s "You Are Here" exhibition will take her to National Parks around the country. Jeffrey Brown spoke with… Continue watching
Jul 10 Watch 8:11 Competition inspires students to explore history through art By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport, Alexa Gold Every year for 50 years, some 500,000 students from across the country have competed in National History Day, using arts to portray their researched stories. Jeffrey Brown spent a day with the finalists to see how they defined turning points… Continue watching
Jun 24 Watch 7:11 ‘Monuments of Solidarity’ exhibition highlights an activist’s approach to making art By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport, Lena I. Jackson An artist, activist, community builder and teacher. LaToya Ruby Frazier's art-making ideas come together in her first retrospective exhibition. Jeffrey Brown has a look for our series, Art in Action, exploring the intersection of art and democracy and for our… Continue watching
Jun 07 Watch 8:48 Theater adapts ‘An Enemy of the People’ to address public health after the pandemic By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport Actors, experts and community members are turning to a classic play to address contemporary trauma and tensions from the pandemic. Jeffrey Brown has a look for our new series, Art in Action, exploring the intersection of art and democracy and… Continue watching