Major August Wilson Exhibition Planned
March 14, 2021—Like many other cultural institutions around the country, the August Wilson African-American Cultural Center (AWAACC) had to put its 2020 exhibition plans on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I was delighted to learn that the delay has resulted in the expansion of the center’s vision for an extraordinary exhibition honoring the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, which will now open in fall 2021. … Continue reading Major August Wilson Exhibition Planned
The Alchemy of Success: Research Study Offers Key
March 7, 2021—When it comes to planning for community engagement or audience development, having access to research and data are critical to making smart, relevant decisions. I firmly believe the arts administration field is quite fortunate to have the work of Zannie Giraud Voss, Ph.D. and her team at SMU DataArts, which offers insightful and analytic research focused on helping arts organizations identify the programmatic … Continue reading The Alchemy of Success: Research Study Offers Key
Georgetown University Taps Anita Gonzalez as Co-Leader for Racial Justice Institute
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
The Call for a Cultural New Deal
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
Dance/NYC 2021 Symposium
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
Marcia Sells appointed Chief Diversity Officer for the Metropolitan Opera
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
Pandemic Challenges for Native American Arts and Culture
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
Answering the Call To Be the New Dawn
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
Brenda Williams-Butts Promoted to SVP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
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
Arts Leaders Speak Out About Capitol Riot
January 10, 2021—Like many around the nation and the world, I watched in horror and disbelief as insurrectionists attempted to take over the U.S. Capitol to block the certification by the U.S. Congress of the results of the presidential election of Joe Biden. Incited by the outgoing president and his supporters in Congress, the violent mob action resulted in the deaths of at least five … Continue reading Arts Leaders Speak Out About Capitol Riot