February 28, 2021—This past week, Georgetown University announced the establishment of its Racial Justice Institute (RJI), and the appointment of co-leaders from the areas of the arts, the law and health and public policy. The mission of the RJI is to bring together scholars, artists, thought leaders, policy makers and activists to provide a cross-disciplinary focus on persistent issues of racial injustice and the structural … Continue reading Georgetown University Taps Anita Gonzalez as Co-Leader for Racial Justice Institute

February 21, 2021—Many of us working in the arts have been supporting social and racial justice initiatives and movements for decades. Now there is a national effort to unite these creative endeavors around a Call for a Cultural New Deal for Cultural and Racial Justice. The Call was spearheaded by ArtChangeUS, the Center for Cultural Power, First Peoples Fund, the National Association of Latino Arts … Continue reading The Call for a Cultural New Deal

February 14, 2021—Valentine’s Day is a great day for me to reaffirm my love of dance—a passion that my mom first stoked when she took my twin sister and me to see the Bolshoi Ballet perform in Chicago when we were five. That’s why I’m excited to share with the readers of Arts & Culture Connections the news that Dance/NYC is holding its 2021 Symposium … Continue reading Dance/NYC 2021 Symposium

February 7, 2021—I am delighted to join the chorus of those congratulating and celebrating my colleague Marcia Lynn Sells, who recently was appointed to the newly created post of Chief Diversity Officer at the Metropolitan Opera, the largest performing arts institution in the United States. According to the news release, Marcia joins the senior management team, reporting directly to general manager Peter Gelb, and will … Continue reading Marcia Sells appointed Chief Diversity Officer for the Metropolitan Opera

January 31, 2020—I recently had a dialogue with my long-time friend and colleague, John Haworth, about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts and culture of Native Americans. Following our conversation, I asked John to write something that I could share with the readers of Arts & Culture Connections. John, whom you may recall from a previous post, is Senior Executive Emeritus, Smithsonian … Continue reading Pandemic Challenges for Native American Arts and Culture

January 24, 2021—The inauguration ceremony of Joseph R. Biden as President and Kamala D. Harris as Vice President last Wednesday was both historic and inspiring on so many levels. I am excited about the diverse team President Biden has assembled to tackle the nation’s multiple pandemics—COVID-19, racial injustice and the political divide, which led to the riotous storming of the U.S. Capitol. And I am … Continue reading Answering the Call To Be the New Dawn

Photo Credit: Brenda Williams-Butts. January 17, 2021—I am delighted to share with the readers of Arts & Culture Connections the news about an important executive appointment at New York Public Radio: Brenda Williams-Butts has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The powerhouse NYPR owns and operates WNYC AM and FM, WQXR, the four stations of New Jersey Public Radio, the … Continue reading Brenda Williams-Butts Promoted to SVP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

December 27, 2020—Throughout 2020, I have been keenly aware of the significant efforts by several Champions of the Arts to fight for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access (EDI&A) despite the three pandemics our entire nation has been experiencing (COVID-19, racial injustice, and political divide). As we close out the year, I have chosen to highlight for the readers of Arts &Culture Connections three organizations and … Continue reading My 2020 List of Champions of the Arts