Aug 18 Watch 8:26 Newly released tapes reveal intimate reflections by Woody Guthrie By Jeffrey Brown, Simon Epstein, Daria Nastasia 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… Continue watching
Jul 01 Watch 8:52 A look at what's behind the efforts to reshape how American history is taught By Paul Solman, Mike Fritz In the last decade, at least 20 states have passed laws or policies that restrict how history can be taught in schools. Since taking office, President Trump has pushed further with executive orders that aim to reshape how U.S. history… Continue watching
Jun 30 Watch 7:58 The power of stories helps young people overcome differences By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport Colum McCann's Narrative 4 organization is bringing the power of story to students in a time of division. The project helps young people around the world share their stories and bridge divides in politics and culture. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey… Continue watching
Jun 10 Watch 6:45 Smithsonian board rejects Trump's attempt to fire top leader By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport, Simon Epstein 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… Continue watching
Jun 04 Watch 8:36 Local arts groups face budget gaps as NEA pulls grants By Jeffrey Brown, Simon Epstein 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… Continue watching
May 02 Watch 6:26 Conservative offers perspective on Trump's effort to exert authority over history and art By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport President Trump has accused the Smithsonian and other museums of promoting “narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.” Previously, Jeffrey Brown spoke with a historian critical of the president’s moves. Now, he has a different… Continue watching
May 01 Watch 7:28 Exploring the efforts to control how U.S. history is presented in museums and monuments By Jeffrey Brown, Simon Epstein 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… Continue watching
Apr 25 Watch 7:55 Political cartoonists on navigating a changing media landscape By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport "A picture is worth a thousand words." It's a well-worn phrase but there is special resonance when applied to editorial cartoons, a centuries-old tradition that is evolving as the media landscape itself does. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown takes a… Continue watching
Apr 04 Watch 9:04 Kennedy Center faces a crossroads as it's pulled into partisan politics By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport The Kennedy Center is one of the nation’s premier performing arts centers, holding around 2,000 events each year. It’s a public-private partnership with most funding raised privately, but some coming from the federal government. The center has traditionally been a… Continue watching
Apr 02 Watch 7:04 West Philadelphia uses art to confront neighborhood problems and threats to democracy By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport, Simon Epstein 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… Continue watching