PBS NewsHour - Art Beat

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

A painting can't heal all that's ailing the healthcare system, but it might help the healers themselves and, in turn, the people they care for. That is Alice Walton's goal for a new medical school seeking to transform medical education and the broader healthcare system. 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

At the beginning of the Cold War in 1949, Jackie Robinson appeared before the House Un-American Activities Committee to disavow the comments of another prominent Black American, actor, singer and activist Paul Robeson. That testimony is the subject of "Kings and Pawns" by Howard Bryant. Amna Nawaz sat down with Bryant to unpack the forces that ultimately pitted the men against each other. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In 1984, a shooting on a New York City subway thrust Bernie Goetz into the center of the national spotlight. After opening fire on four Black teenagers he said were trying to rob him, Goetz was hailed by some as a vigilante hero and condemned by others as a symbol of racial violence. Geoff Bennett spoke with Eliot Williams, who revisits the shooting in his new book, "Five Bullets." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

"It Was Just an Accident" from Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi is nominated for the Best International Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay Oscars. Jeffrey Brown met with Panahi to talk about his film, his country in distress, and the work of a social filmmaker. It's for our series Art in Action, exploring the intersection of art and democracy 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

The art of sports, and sports as art. Two worlds collide and complement each other in an exhibition now traveling the country as the Winter Olympics are set to start soon. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown had a chance to take it in 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

A few years ago, a small, private school in an underprivileged Black community in Louisiana made national headlines for propelling student after student into elite universities like Harvard and Yale. But according to the new book "Miracle Children," the school's success was built on lies and threats. Amna Nawaz spoke with the writers, Katie Benner and Erica Green. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

3D scanning technology is being used to examine and replicate classic works of art. It's raising some ethical questions about what it means to preserve authenticity and democratize access in an age when the line between originals and copies grows ever thinner. Paul Solman 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

According to a recent study, reading for pleasure has fallen by 40% in the last 20 years, continuing a long-running downward trend. By many measures, reading skills for both students and adults continue to fall. Jeffrey Brown spoke with Elizabeth Alexander of the Mellon Foundation about a new effort to boost the world of words. 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

It's been one year since the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires tore through Los Angeles, destroying thousands of homes and killing more than 30 people. In his new book, journalist Jacob Soboroff offers a deeply reported account of the catastrophe, told through the voices of firefighters, political leaders and residents. Soboroff joined Geoff Bennett to discuss "Firestorm." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

HBO's medical drama "The Pitt" is back for season two, fresh off five Emmy wins. Its unflinching look at a single emergency room shift struck a deep chord with frontline healthcare workers. Geoff Bennett visited the actual "Pitt," the real Pittsburgh hospital that doubles as a key location in the show, for our ongoing series on the intersection of arts and health, part of our CANVAS coverage. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Tailyr Irvine is a photojournalist from the Flathead Reservation in Montana, whose work focuses on nuanced portrayals of life in Native communities. Her recent project examines the U.S. government–imposed system that defines Native identity through fractional measures of ancestry. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on questions of belonging. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As the saying goes, we are what we eat. That age-old wisdom is behind the emergence of a new field in medicine. Ali Rogin brings us this report for our ongoing coverage of the intersection of arts and health, part of our CANVAS series. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

First, a takeover of leadership, then a renaming. Now, the Trump-Kennedy Center is facing canceled performances and a drop in overall ticket sales. Jeffrey Brown reports on the turmoil at one of the nation's preeminent arts centers. It's for our series Art in Action, exploring the intersection of art and democracy 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

The newly-renamed Trump-Kennedy Center is facing canceled performances and plummeting ticket sales. Amna Nawaz discussed the turmoil with Richard Grenell, the man President Trump handpicked to lead the institution. Grenell also served in Trump's first term, including as ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As the holiday season comes to a close and parts of the country face frigid temperatures this New Year's, we explore a concept of comfort, warmth and joy that began in Scandinavian countries and has recently spread to America. Deema Zein reports on the art of hygge. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

We are taking our annual look back at some of the year's biggest images. We hear from four photojournalists who documented life on the frontlines in Ukraine, major changes in immigration enforcement in the U.S., the historic election of a new pope and more. 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

American pianist and composer Chloe Flower is on a mission to get young people into classical music. She's doing it by collaborating with rap, house and pop stars, and creating her own genre of music, a style she's coined "Popsical." Independent Television News correspondent Amelia Jenne reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Gaza has been a place of terror, war and struggle, but also a place with a rich cultural and artistic history. Much of that has been damaged or destroyed the last two years. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown looks at the losses, but also at the hope some artists have for the 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

Post-traumatic stress disorder is common among veterans, with 10% of men and nearly 20% of women reporting having symptoms at some point in their lives. But could exposure to more arts programming be the needed prescription for those who have served our country? Stephanie Sy reports for our look at the intersection of art and health, 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

On our podcast "Settle In," Amna Nawaz speaks with author Malcolm Gladwell. They discussed what he has learned by revisiting his first book, "The Tipping Point," 25 years later. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Music in 2025 has had it all, from breakout new artists and big stars continuing to top the charts, to AI-generated artists igniting fierce debate online. To help us sift through the year in music, Stephanie Sy speaks with freelance music writer and critic Maura Johnston and freelance music journalist Candace McDuffie. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The holidays are a great time to catch up on the year's best films, whether streaming at home or heading to the theater. Jeffrey Brown sat down with two film critics who shared their top picks. 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

Pantomime, or panto, is a family comedy filled with fairy tales, music, slapstick and audience participation and is a holiday season staple across the UK. This year, one production is selling out a retelling of "Snow White" that blends classic panto with Muslim culture and humor, and even teases its online trolls. Independent Television News correspondent Minnie Stephenson reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

This Christmas, many children welcomed a familiar visitor – a jolly man in a red suit and a sleigh full of gifts. But the bearded figure Americans recognize today as Santa Claus is a relatively modern creation, shaped over centuries by folklore, art and evolving tradition. Stephanie Sy reports. And a warning for parents and younger viewers: this story contains some spoilers about Santa Claus. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A beloved symbol of the holiday season, The Rockettes are celebrating a big anniversary. Founded in 1925, the famous dance company is marking 100 years on stage. Julia Griffin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

David Baldacci has written more than 50 suspense and legal novels. His latest is "Nash Falls," a story about a successful businessman recruited by the FBI to expose a global crime network. But Baldacci and his wife are now tackling a major real-world problem: how to combat toxic political discourse. Geoff Bennett sat down with them both to discuss more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

From "Silent Night" to "Jingle Bells," Christmas carols are some of the most familiar songs of the season, and some of the oldest. Stephanie Sy explores why most popular music changes with time, but many of these old tunes have endured. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

We continue with a News Hour holiday tradition in which we ask members of the armed forces to record a holiday song. For Christmas Eve, we bring you "Joy to the World." This video was produced by the Pentagon's Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Since reentering the White House earlier this year, President Trump has made quick work of reshaping Washington in his image, in some cases literally. That is on display at the recently renamed Trump-Kennedy Center. The performing arts center has roots tracing back to the Eisenhower administration more than 60 years ago. Stephanie Sy takes a closer look at its history and evolution. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Watching the Christmas classic "It's a Wonderful Life" has become a holiday tradition for millions of families. One small town in Rhode Island believes it helped inspire the beloved movie. Pamela Watts of Ocean State Media has the story 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