October 2, 2022—With the recent opening of the Molina Family Latino Gallery as a forerunner to the building of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino, there is now an overdue spotlight on the foundational contributions made by the Hispanic/Latinx community to the economic, social and cultural fabric of the nation. The Museum’s inaugural exhibition—¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States—along with in-person … Continue reading Hispanic Heritage Month Shines Light on Inclusion

Image credit for Isisara Bey: Nichole Washington September 25, 2022—The 2022 March On Washington Film Festival (MOWFF) will have its gala opening this Wednesday, September, September 28, 2022, and will include a broad and exciting range of in-person panels and on-demand offerings featuring veteran and emerging filmmakers. Established in 2013 in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs … Continue reading MOW Film Festival Opens This Week

  September 18, 2022—This past week marked another historic change on Broadway—the Cort Theatre was officially renamed in honor of multi-award-winning and iconic actor James Earl Jones. And there’s another change waiting in the wings—the Brooks Atkinson Theater will be renamed sometime this fall for the renowned civil rights activist, actress and musical performer Lena Horne, marking the first time a Broadway venue has been … Continue reading Broadway Theaters Renamed for Black Artists

September 11, 2022—I recently had the opportunity to talk with Bree Turner, who is one of the co-leaders of a nationwide fellowship program launched last year for Black-identifying college students and recent graduates seeking to learn the inner-workings of the commercial theater business. It’s called the Black Theatre Coalition/Broadway Across America Theater Administration Fellowship. And I am excited to share with the readers of Arts … Continue reading BTC/BAA Offers Nationwide Fellowships

September 4, 2022—Angelica Ross is breaking barriers this month with her debut in Broadway’s second longest-running musical, Chicago. Ms. Ross, one of the stars of the Emmy Award-winning television series Pose, becomes the first openly Transgender woman to take on the lead role of Roxie Hart. Ms. Ross joins a small group of openly Transgender performers playing principal roles on Broadway, including Alexandra Billings, L … Continue reading Angelica Ross Breaks Broadway Barrier

August 28, 2022—I am delighted to report to the readers of Arts & Culture Connections that the turnout for the 48th annual HARLEM WEEK was phenomenal! After two years of being a virtual event, HARLEM WEEK 2022 offered both in-person and online activities. The crowds seemed to revel in the opportunity to be outside together, enjoying the beautiful weather and cultural festivities. I had the … Continue reading 2022 HARLEM WEEK’S Broadway Virtual Summit

August 21, 2022—I am delighted to share with the readers of Arts & Culture Connections the wonderful news that I am the featured guest on this week’s Arts Engines videocast, which is hosted by Aaron Dworkin. Many of you know of Aaron and his amazing and numerous contributions to world of arts and culture. The founder of the Sphinx Organization, who also is a multi-talented … Continue reading Arts Engines Features Donna Walker-Kuhne

Photo credit: Nichole Washington August 14, 2022–I got the idea to pitch a course to teach at New York University while working at the Public Theater. NYU was just a block away and it just made sense to offer real-life marketing strategies to college students studying to become arts administrators. I was delighted when the university agreed with my idea. Since 1994, I have taught … Continue reading Reflections on Teaching for 28 Years at NYU

August 8, 2022—Over the past few years, I have provided succession planning workshops for arts organizations across the country. Recently, I ran across the example of the Ujima Theatre, which is in Buffalo, New York, and has had several years of major upheavals. I think its story offers invaluable lessons for the readers of Arts & Culture Connections. Ujima Company founder Lorna C. Hill was … Continue reading Ujima Theatre Perseveres through Move, Pandemic, Death of Founder

Image credit: Legacy.com July 31, 2022—Dr. Samella Lewis was a visionary artist, curator, scholar, and historian, who not only imagined opportunities for African-American artists that did not exist, but also dedicated her life to creating them. She recently died in California at the age of 99.  This week, I am inviting the readers of Arts & Culture Connections to join me in celebrating her legacy, … Continue reading In Memoriam of the “Godmother of African-American Visual Art”