June 4, 2023—Every year I look forward to my June 5th birthday because I use it as an opportunity to reflect, with joy and gratitude, upon my just completed circle around the sun. This year, my focus is the following encouragement from my mentor, Daisaku Ikeda, about the power of a grateful heart. He wrote: “‘Thank you’ is a miraculous expression. It energizes us when … Continue reading Reflecting with Joy & Gratitude

May 28, 2023—According to a recent news report, an arts practice is one of the best things we can do for both our physical and mental health! The study was conducted as part of the NeuroArts BluePrint Initiative, which was launched in 2019 to examine how the arts and aesthetic experiences measurably change the body, brain, and behavior. Bringing together representatives from science, the arts, … Continue reading Make Time to Experience Art

May 21, 2023—This coming week—May 25, 2023—marks the third anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, which opened the most recent frontier of the movement for racial, social, and environmental justice throughout America. For those of us working in the arts and culture sectors, Mr. Floyd’s brutal murder became the catalyst for dialogues; the creation of new positions; the formation of new programs, the production … Continue reading To Remember To Rise

May 14, 2023—Happy Mother’s Day! In honor of this celebration of the women who nurtured, guided, supported, and encouraged us—mothers, grandmothers, aunties, neighbors and even teachers—I would like to make a bold declaration: There would be no arts without them! Our mothers were our first creative teachers: They showed us how to make delicious meals from cans or leftovers. They demonstrated how to dress well, … Continue reading Celebrating Our First Creative Teachers

April 30, 2023—Registration is now underway for the third annual Creating Change Symposium, which will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Hackensack, N.J. As readers of Arts & Culture Connections may recall, the Creating Change Network (CCN) was launched in the Spring 2021 by the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and ArtPride New Jersey, and was … Continue reading Creating Change Symposium

April 23, 2023—I recently heard an interview and watched two videocasts featuring current Black leaders in the classical music field, which reminded me of the importance of maintaining a spotlight on this area of the arts—an area where people of color are still few but continue to press to open the doors of opportunity. The videocasts were with Jonathon Heyward, Musical Director of the Baltimore … Continue reading The EDI&A Frontlines of Classical Music Arts

April 16, 2023—I am always inspired when young arts leaders take center stage and share information and wisdom that benefits all of us. That’s why I’m encouraging the readers of Arts & Culture Connections to check out the recent videocast interview conducted by Aaron Dworkin, the creator and host of Arts Engines, with Omari Rush, Board Chair of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. … Continue reading Engaging Your Board in Action

April 9, 2023—I recently was invited by John Zorn, Executive Director of Arts Reach Unlimited, to moderate a panel to discuss the current status of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Access (EDI&A) in the arts, nearly three years after the murder of George Floyd. The panelists were Gennean Scott, Chief Diversity Officer for the Broadway League, and Durrell Cooper, Ph.D., adjunct professor at both New York … Continue reading The Status of EDI&A Three Years Later

April 2, 2023—According to a recent post by the Wallace Foundation, the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is updating its standards for the first time in 20 years, and it will include goals for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access as an integral part of museum excellence. In the interview with Laura Lott, CEO and President of AAM, she said the new standards, when finalized, will … Continue reading DEI&A Standards Included for AAM

March 26, 2023—It has been my belief that exposing girls to the arts, especially dance, is a wonderful path to help them step fully into their lives. From my own experience at the age 13, dance became the pivotal moment—not only to study, train and perform, but also the gateway to self-confidence, body awareness and passion. I continue to carry this spirit with me daily. … Continue reading For Our Daughters