New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) re-opened October 21, 2019, and among its exhibitions is the work of 93 year-old artist Betye Saar, who is known for her assemblage and collage works that encompass African-American identity, female empowerment, global culture, mysticism, personal history and racism. This is MoMA’s first exhibition of Ms. Saar’s work, which has spanned more than six decades. It … Continue reading Champion of the Arts: First-time MoMA exhibition for 93 year-old Betye Saar

I have received numerous inquiries from leaders of the classical music field to support their efforts to cultivate and develop audiences of color. My first response is to encourage them to think about their programming–until they begin to diversify their offerings, everything else is a gesture. That is why I was thrilled to read recent published reports about the breaking down of century-old barriers by … Continue reading Black Classical Composers Making News; Now Activate the Audiences

                    Many arts councils throughout the nation are examining how best to connect with their respective communities, especially when their budgets are modest or non-existent. I believe we can all learn a lot from the success of Newark Arts, the 37 year-old, nonprofit organization at the center of the massive and innovative Newark Arts Festival, which … Continue reading Newark Arts Festival Partnerships Help “Power the Arts to Transform Lives”

Photo credit – tripadvisor.com A lot has been going on in the Boston arts community in the months since a group of seventh grade students from Dorchester’s Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy experienced the “weep and sting” of racism and harassment from museum patrons and staff during a class trip to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. As I previously shared in an Arts & … Continue reading Museum of Fine Arts-Boston to Hire Director of Inclusion and Launch New Program to Welcome Students

Photo credit: Biennale webpage art I am happy to share with the readers of Arts & Culture Connection a link to the video of a panel discussion I participated in during the Biennale CINARS 2018, which was held in Montreal at the end of last year. The CINARS is one of the most important international showcases and networking events for arts and culture. There were … Continue reading A Global Dialogue: Transforming Cultural Spaces into Citizen Spaces

Photo credit – metmuseum.org Artnet News recently reported that The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) is planning to hire its first full-time associate curator of Native North American art in an effort to create “an increasingly robust program of Indigenous American art” throughout its museum. The job description posted on the website of the American Alliance Museums notes that the new curator will be … Continue reading New Curator Position at The Met Provides More Opportunities for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Photo Credit: Brian Hatton I recently read an exciting report about a new program sponsored by the Sphinx Organization—it is offering grants to expand diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in the world of classical music as a catalyst for initiatives it hopes will create more opportunities for artists of color. The Sphinx Venture Fund will make available $300,000/year over five years to a handful … Continue reading Taking the Lead to Expand Classical Music’s DEI Efforts

I know I am among the millions of fans who are besides themselves with glee to learn of the planned May 6, 2022, release date for the sequel to 2018’s iconic  film, “Black Panther!” As I previously shared with the readers of Arts & Culture Connections in a blog about the “Black Panther Effect,” the film’s blockbuster success ($1-billion in 26 days) offers a template … Continue reading Black Panther – 2 Effect

Photo: courtesy of The Apollo the Apollo Theater I recently had the honor and pleasure of participating in a gathering of thought leaders at an Uptown Hall meeting commemorating the 45th Anniversary of HARLEM WEEK to discuss the role of cultural and arts organizations in preserving Harlem’s cultural traditions and advancing change. Produced by L. Adé Williams, this meeting at the world-famous Apollo Theater, was … Continue reading Reflections on Harlem during the 45th Anniversary of HARLEM WEEK