Art Beat

Friday’s Art Notes

In today's arts and culture headlines, experimental theater pioneer Ellen Stewart has passed away at 91.

For Haitian Writers, Identity is Wrapped up in History and Hope

In Haiti, not only was reading certain books dangerous, but writers were commonly known to be the agitators of dissent, those who -- with the spark of a word -- might ignite an upheaval in the minds and hearts of…

Around the Nation

By Lauren Knapp

Here are some of this week's arts and culture stories from public broadcasting stations around the nation.

Thursday’s Art Notes

In today's arts and culture headlines, a Swedish takeoff of "The Catcher in the Rye" is banned in Canada and the U.S.

In Haiti, ‘Rhythm Rests in Our Marrow’

Music is the tenor of Haitian cultural life, carved out of the oppression of slavery and the desire to live freely, writes Haitian-American poet and scholar Patrick Sylvain. It represents a cultural ethos based upon human reality.

Wednesday’s Art Notes

In today's arts and culture headlines, Ai Weiwei's million dollar Shanghai studio has been torn down by Chinese authorities.

In Haiti, Art Remains a Solid Cornerstone

This week, Haitian-American poet and scholar Patrick Sylvain will be writing for Art Beat about his home country and its art, its history and future, and how its artists are surviving in the earthquake's aftermath.

Tuesday’s Art Notes

In today's arts and culture headlines, the Dali Museum reopens in a new home.

Abigail Washburn Uses Banjo as Tool for Diplomacy

By Lauren Knapp

For over a decade Abigail Washburn, a singer-songwriter and clawhammer banjo player, knew she wanted to help improve Chinese-American relations. She just never thought she'd be doing it through song.

Weekly Poem: ‘The Winter’s Wife’

By Tom LeGro

Jennifer Chang is the author of "The History of Anonymity" (Georgia, 2008). A Ph.D. candidate in English at the University of Virginia, she co-chairs the advisory board of Kundiman, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support and promotion of Asian…