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 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
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