March 19, 2023—I am passionate about providing youth with exposure and access to the arts, as well as opportunities to perform, because it helps them cultivate authenticity, self-awareness, confidence, empathy, and courage. The arts also provide opportunities for them to develop the skills of collaboration, discipline, focus and critical thinking. The arts are, by far, one of the most important nutrients we can provide youth … Continue reading Why Youth Need the Arts

March 12, 2023—I recently had the opportunity to view the videocast, FLOW with Dr. Durrell Cooper, which featured an interview with two giants of the world of philanthropy—Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, and Sharnita C. Johnson, Vice President of Strategy, Impact and Communication at the Victoria Foundation. Ms. Johnson also is chair of the Board of Directors Grantmakers in the Arts (GIA). I … Continue reading A Conversation with Philanthropic Giants

March 5, 2023—March is Women’s History Month and this month’s posts for Arts & Culture Connections will feature women in the arts. I recently had the opportunity to listen to a podcast interview with Maria Rosario Jackson, Ph.D., chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. During the interview, she reviewed her first year as head of the agency and talked about her vision and … Continue reading Year in Review for Head of NEA

February 26, 2023—I recently had the opportunity to read an article about the New York-based Spark Movement Collective. The multicultural collective is celebrating its 13th year of making dance accessible for children and adults, as well as inclusive by offering American Sign Language translation and bilingual English/Spanish productions. Founded in 2009 by Chelsea Koenig, the Spark Movement Collective is a collaboration of dancers, musicians and … Continue reading Spark Movement offers Broad Access to Dance

February 19, 2023—Please join me in spreading the word about two important fellowship opportunities for people of color in the visual arts and arts journalism—the NXTHVN Fellowship for Emerging Artists and Curators and the 2023 Rising Leaders of Color (RLC) program, which is sponsored by the Theatre Communications Group (TCG). The deadlines are coming up soon—the NXTHVN deadline is February 27, 2023, and the deadline … Continue reading POC Fellowship Opportunities

February 12, 2023—I hope you will join my celebration of the news that Tsione Wolde-Michael has been named executive director of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH). Not only is she the youngest and first Black person to direct PCAH, Ms. Wolde-Michael is renowned for pioneering ways for museums to engage in social and restorative justice. This is an exciting and … Continue reading Ms. Wolde-Michael is New ED for PCAH

  February 5, 2023—A recent headline in the New York Times caught my attention and really ticked me off. The guest essay was titled “What if Diversity Training is Doing More Harm than Good?” It was written by a man who described himself as “an investigative journalist (who) exposes the many holes in today’s bestselling behavioral science, and argues that the trendy, TED-Talk-friendly psychological interventions … Continue reading The Latest Culture War Target: EDI&A

January 29, 2023—I recently learned about the unique dialects and regional differences within American Sign Language (ASL), and that theatrical productions are seeking interpreters who can utilize these cultural nuances when translating performances for diverse, deaf audiences. This is an important frontier for those of us working to bring Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Access to performing arts spaces. In the news report, it noted that … Continue reading Let’s Talk: Accessibility and Cultural Nuances

January 22, 2023—I loved reading the article published by the blog, Culture Type, about the 27 recently appointed curators and arts leaders of color who are working internationally in museums, universities, and other prominent visual arts institutions. The idea that positions of curatorial and frontline leadership and management are being held by these newly appointed leaders will have an impact on the stories we see, … Continue reading Meet the 27 New Arts Leaders of Color