PBS NewsHour - Art Beat

Unless courts intervene, the Kennedy Center will shut down this July for two years, as part of a roughly $250 million renovation. In the lead-up, there's been a wave of layoffs and a controversial rebranding by President Trump's allies. Josef Palermo was among those laid off and wrote "What I Saw Inside the Kennedy Center" for The Atlantic. Palermo joined Geoff Bennett to discuss more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For more than 25 years, comedian Dave Chappelle has called the small village of Yellow Springs, Ohio, home. Amna Nawaz traveled there to meet with Chappelle and understand why he's invested millions of dollars into this community, and why he believes the local public media station is crucial to the town's future. It's part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Like countless powerful women throughout history, Queen Elizabeth II was routinely dismissed and underestimated. But during her 70-year reign, she managed the strategic relationship between the UK and the U.S., meeting with thirteen sitting presidents. Geoff Bennett spoke with Susan Page, who traces this and more in her new book, "The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That Shaped History." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The origin of Paddington is one worth noting on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Michael Bond recalled seeing Jewish children arriving in Britain during World War II with name cards around their necks and suitcases in their hands. That inspired the beloved bear, and a Rhode Island artist is helping to keep the story alive. Ocean State Media's Pamela Watts reports for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

More than a decade ago, Lena Dunham rose to fame as the comedic force behind HBO's hit series, "Girls." In her new memoir, "Famesick," Dunham candidly, hilariously, and sometimes painfully, explores how she balanced her sudden celebrity with chronic illness, addiction and trauma. Amna Nawaz spoke with Dunham on our PBS news podcast, "Settle In." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Lena Dunham rapidly rose to fame more than a decade ago as the comedic force behind HBO's breakout hit, 'Girls.' In a new memoir, Dunham candidly, hilariously, and sometimes painfully explores how she balanced celebrity with her struggles with chronic illness, addiction, and trauma. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The media industry has been navigating substantial turmoil in recent years. On our PBS news podcast, "Settle In," Geoff Bennett explored this upheaval with Evan Shapiro. He's an award-winning producer who now writes about the industry for his Substack, "Media War and Peace." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has long been one of the nation's most influential ensemble companies. It's known for the actors it has launched and the groundbreaking work it has produced. It's marking its 50th season at a moment of real uncertainty for theaters. Jeffrey Brown traveled to Chicago for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Actor and comedian Lyric Lewis discovered her love of performance through improv. She went on to make history as one of the first Black women in The Groundlings, the Los Angeles troupe celebrating its 50th anniversary. She reflects on finding her authentic voice in comedy and gives her Brief But Spectacular take on why life is a play. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Patrick Radden Keefe is the author behind bestsellers like "Say Nothing" and "Empire of Pain." The New Yorker staff writer's latest book, "London Falling," is about the mysterious 2019 death of teenager Zac Brettler. The book details Brettler's secret life, posing as the son of a Russian oligarch, navigating London's dark underworld. Keefe sat down with Amna Nawaz on our podcast, Settle In. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Award-winning New Yorker staff writer Patrick Radden Keefe is the author behind best sellers like "Say Nothing" and "Empire of Pain." His latest book, "London Falling," is a deep dive into the mysterious death of a teenager – and the secret life that came to light after he was gone. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In eastern Kentucky, the heritage of folk and traditional music, rooted in instruments like guitars, mandolins and dulcimers, is deeply seated. There's an effort to capitalize on this rich culture while providing a fresh start for people in addiction recovery. Jeffrey Brown has the story for our look at the intersection of art and health for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In 2020, Gisèle Pelicot was called to a police station and life as she knew it ended. She learned that her husband had been drugging and raping her and inviting strangers to abuse her for nearly a decade. The case led to a reckoning about sexual abuse and revealed the power of one woman's voice. Amna Nawaz sat down with Pelicot to discuss her book, "A Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Wendy Red Star is a multimedia artist who grew up on the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana. Her work spans photography, sculpture, fiber arts and performance to celebrate Native identity and remind us why art matters in how we're remembered. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on channeling identity through art. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Earlier this month, the Kennedy Center board approved the president's plan to close the center for two years. The Washington National Opera had already announced it was leaving, one of the most consequential developments in a year of turmoil. Jeffrey Brown reports for our Art in Action series, exploring the intersection of art and democracy, part of our CANVAS coverage. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Beka Ntsanwisi is working to empower older women in South Africa, where the average life expectancy is in the early to mid-60s. She started a soccer league with a mission to introduce women over 50 to the sport. Ntsanwisi shares her Brief But Spectacular take on empowering 'soccer grannies.' PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Leading cultural and architectural preservation organizations asked a federal court to stop the Trump administration from proceeding with its Kennedy Center reconstruction project. It's the latest development in a fight over the look and architecture of the nation's capital, and the power of the presidency. Jeffrey Brown reports for our series, Art in Action, as part of our CANVAS coverage. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In the 1990s, a remarkable wave of Black sitcoms and sketch comedy reshaped American television. Shows like "In Living Color" and "Living Single" reflected a wide range of Black life and helped broaden how millions of viewers understood Black experiences. That moment, and the long history that helped make it possible, are at the core of Geoff Bennett's new book, "Black Out Loud." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

What sparked the explosion of Black sitcoms in the 1990s, and why didn't it last? Those are some of the questions PBS News Hour co-anchor Geoff Bennett explores in his new book, "Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary History of Black Comedy from Vaudeville to '90s Sitcoms." He joins Amna Nawaz for a special episode of Settle In. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Trump administration's immigration crackdown has ignited protests nationwide. It has also galvanized grassroots artists and community organizations. Jeffrey Brown reports from Chicago, where artists have been at the center of the movement, using their skills and resources as part of organized dissent. It's part of our series, Art in Action, as part of our CANVAS coverage. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Edgar Ramirez is an LA-based artist who transforms street signs. Inspired by the industrial landscape where he grew up, he turns the signs into striking pieces of art that highlight the realities of his community. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on the signs of exploitation. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Neon signs aren't as ubiquitous as they once were, but the artistry has been receiving renewed appreciation. Wil Kirkman was well-known for his ability to make and repair intricate and fragile glass lights. Kirkman died of cancer last year, but Marcia Franklin of Idaho Public Television got the chance to see him at work before his passing and reports for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Dealing with grief and trauma can look different for everyone, and a group in Miami has found an unconventional way of helping people cope. Alessandro de Palma of Student Reporting Labs, the PBS News journalism training program, has the story. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The new documentary "Immutable" follows students in the Washington Urban Debate League over two years as they face challenges in their own lives and on the debate stage. In the program, students learn how to think critically, challenge their own opinions and find their voices through debate. Geoff Bennett spoke with the people connected to the film for a closer look. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

On Thursday, the markets had their worst day since the U.S. war in Iran began, and oil prices saw another big jump. Amna Nawaz discussed the broader economic concerns with Lloyd Blankfein, the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and author of "Streetwise: Getting to and Through Goldman Sachs." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

When the World Cup kicks off in June, billions will turn their attention to games spread across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. It's an experience Roger Bennett likens to a solar eclipse, except the Earth is completely engulfed not in darkness, but by soccer. Geoff Bennett spoke with him about his new book, "We Are the World (Cup): A Personal History of the World's Greatest Sporting Event." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

"Sinners," directed by Ryan Coogler, made Academy Awards history recently when it garnered a record 16 Oscar nominations. One, for Best Supporting Actor, went to Delroy Lindo, a 73-year-old now receiving his first nomination. Jeffrey Brown met Lindo in New York for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Known for roles in both drama and comedy, Rose Byrne has already won a Golden Globe for Best Actress this award season for her role in the psychological drama "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You." She's been acting professionally for more than 30 years, and now she's up for her first Oscar. Jeffrey Brown joined her recently in New York for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

This month marks 100 years since Americans first held the celebration that would eventually become Black History Month. On our video podcast "Settle In," Geoff Bennett commemorated this anniversary with the award-winning journalist and writer Michael Harriot. His most recent book, "Black AF History," frames Black history not as a counter-narrative, but as the narrative of American history. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Julian Shapiro-Barnum is the creator and host of "Recess Therapy," an online series where he talks with kids about everything from friendship to the meaning of life. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on what adults can learn from the clarity and compassion of children. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

America's 250-year history features prominent men who built and shaped the nation. But less is known about the women whose contributions were just as important. In "We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America," Norah O'Donnell writes about 35 remarkable women and their pivotal roles in influencing the country we live in today. Amna Nawaz sat down with O'Donnell to discuss the new book. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The iconic photographs of the Winter Games will last and help shape the way we think about these Olympics. We spoke with several photographers who captured the athletic feats and emotional moments. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Lucinda Williams has been making music for decades. With her new album, she's speaking and singing to this moment, calling it a battle cry and finding grit and grace in a world on edge. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown sat down with Williams for our series, Art in Action, as part of our CANVAS coverage. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Ethan Hawke has been acting since he was a teenager. Now at 55, he has his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his role in "Blue Moon." Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown sat down with Hawke for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In her new book, award-winning novelist Namwali Serpell takes on Toni Morrison, one of the towering figures in American literature. Serpell guides readers through Morrison's extraordinary body of work, offering close readings that illuminate the depth of Morrison's imagination, innovation and craft. Geoff Bennett sat down with Serpell to discuss "On Morrison." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

One of Hollywood's most memorable legends, Robert Duvall, has died. The Academy Award winner enjoyed a long and storied career, carving out a lane as both an unorthodox leading man and a supporting player in some of the greatest films in movie history. Amna Nawaz reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Often overlooked in America's history of World War II are the 27 Tuskegee Airmen who disappeared in combat. Geoff Bennett recently sat down with Cheryl W. Thompson, whose father was also an airman. She chronicles the lives of the missing men and the racism they endured while serving their country in her new book, "Forgotten Souls: The Search for the Lost Tuskegee Airmen." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

After four years of war in Ukraine, it may seem like there is little space for art or fun. But in the eastern city of Kharkiv, there is a small corner where children can learn the grace, discipline and joy of theater. Special correspondent Jack Hewson takes us there for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

After singing on the world's top opera stages for more than 40 years, acclaimed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves took a final bow last month and is pivoting to teaching the next generation. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown joined Graves in the days leading up to her farewell for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has just launched a 20-city U.S. tour under its new artistic director Alicia Graf Mack. She's a renowned former Ailey dancer herself and an educator who is now fusing those roles to lead the modern dance troupe which started in 1958. Mack joins Geoff Bennett in the studio for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

It's a celebration as well as a reckoning: After seven years, the Studio Museum in Harlem reopened this fall in a new building that showcases its history of highlighting Black artists. It's a history and project credited with helping change and diversify the art world. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown visited the museum for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The entertainment world is mourning the loss of one of its comedy greats. Catherine O'Hara died Friday at the age of 71. She leaves behind a body of work that ranges from cult classics, to blockbuster films, and some small-screen gems. Geoff Bennett reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy