Art Works Podcast

National Endowment for the Arts
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Art Works Podcast

The National Endowment for the Arts podcast that goes behind the scenes with some of the nation’s great artists to explore how art works.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    December 17, 2024 Andy Statman: Master of Many Musical Traditions

    To mark the rare convergence of Christmas and Chanukah, we’re revisiting a conversation with one of the nation’s most extraordinary musicians 2012 National Heritage Fellow Andy Statman. A virtuoso clarinetist, mandolin player, and composer, Statman has defied musical boundaries throughout his career. Starting with his early love for bluegrass and mentorship under David Grisman, Statman later embraced jazz before diving into the klezmer music of his Jewish heritage. This podcast weaves together the strands of Statman’s multifaceted career. He reflects on his journey from bluegrass jams in Washington Square Park to collaborations with jazz legends like Richard Grando. Statman shares how he revived klezmer music with the guidance of 1984 National Heritage Fellow Dave Tarras, his inspirations across genres, and his passion for creating music that connects deeply to tradition while pushing artistic boundaries.  Featuring excerpts from his rich discography, including Jewish Klezmer Music and Old Brooklyn, this episode is a celebration of music’s ability to unite cultures and generations.  We are taking a two week break for the holidays. But we’ll back on January 7.  We wish all of you the happiest of holidays.

    42 min

  2. DEC 10

    Opera for All: Breaking Barriers with Opera Praktikos (OPrak)

    Opera is being transformed into a more inclusive and innovative art form, and Opera Praktikos (OPrak) is one of the companies leading this movement. Co-founded by librettist Marianna Mott Newirth and opera journalist Greg Moomjy, OPrak is New York City’s first disability-forward opera company, committed to breaking down barriers for artists and audiences. Today, a conversation with Marianna Mott Newirth and mezzo-soprano Hailey McAvoy, who has cerebral palsy and stars in OPrak’s upcoming production, There Will Be Cake. Marianna and Hailey share how OPrak fosters disability creativity, from accessible venues to innovative productions. They discuss how embracing accessibility not only removes obstacles but enriches the art form itself, creating a more collaborative and exciting opera world for everyone, and the inspiration behind There Will Be Cake, a joyful pairing of two opera monologues celebrating food, humor, and community, all served up with a side of cake.

    39 min

  3. DEC 3

    Revisiting Author of Interior Chinatown Charles Yu

    Today we revisit our 2020 interview with Charles Yu, whose novel Interior Chinatown received the National Book Award for fiction and has been recently adapted into a Hulu series by Yu who is also the showrunner. A novel told in the format of a screenplay, Interior Chinatown follows Willis Wu, a bit player in a TV procedural, as he wrestles with his dreams, identity, and the limitations imposed by a world of rigid racial roles. In our conversation, Yu reflects on growing up with limited and stereotypical representations of Asian-Americans on screen and how those experiences shaped his incisive and inventive novel. He shares his journey from lawyer to writer and the creative process behind the book, the interplay of humor and serious themes in his work, his reflections on the rise of anti-Asian sentiment, and the transformative power of storytelling. In this special reposting of our conversation with Charles Yu, we revisit his insightful, funny, and deeply moving exploration of Asian-American identity and representation in popular culture.

    28 min

  4. NOV 26

    Exploring American Routes: A Conversation with Nick Spitzer

    In this special Thanksgiving episode of Art Works, we’re revisiting our interview with Nick Spitzer, folklorist, radio host, and the 2023 Bess Lomax Hawes National Heritage Fellow. Nick discusses his path from college radio to producing the award-winning American Routes, a program that has spent 25 years exploring the intersections of Cajun, Creole, jazz, blues, gospel, and more. He shares stories of cultural discovery, the concept of creolization, and his commitment to bringing traditional and vernacular arts to national audiences. Nick reflects on his formative experiences—from fieldwork in Louisiana to curating programs for the Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival—and the profound impact of mentors like Bess Lomax Hawes.   (Don’t miss the special Thanksgiving episode of American Routes celebrating the 2024 National Heritage Fellows!)

    39 min

  5. NOV 19

    November 19, 2024 Celebrating Jazz Giants: Roy Haynes and Lou Donaldson

    Last week, the music world lost two titans of jazz: drummer Roy Haynes and saxophonist Lou Donaldson, both NEA Jazz Masters who reshaped the genre with their artistry. This special episode of Art Works pays tribute to their immense contributions through archival interviews and timeless performances. From Roy Haynes' crisp, innovative drumming that defined the evolution of jazz over seven decades to Lou Donaldson's soulful alto saxophone that bridged bebop and groove, we celebrate their remarkable journeys. Roy Haynes reflects on his first big break with Luis Russell, playing at the legendary Savoy Ballroom, and his unforgettable collaborations with jazz icons like Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, and Sarah Vaughan. Lou Donaldson, known as "Sweet Poppa Lou," shares insights on his trailblazing recordings for Blue Note, the rise of bebop, and his dynamic partnership with Jimmy Smith that popularized the organ-sax sound. Featuring selections from their iconic tracks—including “Green Chimneys,” “Blues Walk,” and “Alligator Bogaloo”—this episode highlights the lives and music of two artists whose impact will resonate for generations.

    29 min

  6. NOV 11

    November 12, 2024 Theater of War: Bridging Greek Tragedy and Veteran Stories

    In honor of Veterans’ Day, we’re revisiting an episode of Art Works that tells the origin story of the transformative project  Theater of War Productions. Co-founded by classicist, translator, and director Bryan Doerries, Theater of War began with a simple yet profound concept: presenting staged readings of Sophocles' plays Ajax and Philoctetes to military communities as a means of addressing both the challenges veterans face and the lasting impact of war on families and relationships. In this episode, Doerries recounts how he was inspired to bring these ancient military tragedies to contemporary audiences, believing they would unlock conversations around trauma and healing. With excerpts of performances by actors Bill Camp, David Strathairn and Adam Driver, this episode explores the initial journey of Theater of War and its impact on military communities, offering insight into how ancient drama opens pathways for veterans to process their experiences.  Now, with over 20 specialized programs, Theater of War Productions reaches diverse communities worldwide, addressing not only the struggles of veterans but also broader public health and social justice issues, including homelessness, racialized violence, and natural disasters. Doerries also discusses the arts’ power to heal, showing how storytelling and shared experience allow individuals to confront, process, and share pain. Theater of War taps into this capacity, creating safe spaces that support connection, resilience, and recovery.

    28 min
  7. November 5, 2024 Native American Artist Rose B. Simpson: Forging Pathways through Heritage and Innovation

    NOV 5

    November 5, 2024 Native American Artist Rose B. Simpson: Forging Pathways through Heritage and Innovation

    We mark Native American Heritage Month with artist Rose B. Simpson (Santa Clara Pueblo) who discusses her work in large-scale public art, and her journey as a creative rooted in Santa Clara Pueblo heritage. Simpson reflects on her process, exploring themes of protection, generational healing, and the deep connection between her art, identity, and community.  Simpson explains how her background in Santa Clara Pueblo pottery and her experiences studying in Japan and at the Rhode Island School of Design ( RISD) have shaped her unique approach, blending cultural reverence with innovative techniques.  We talk in-depth about her recent installation Seed, commissioned by the Madison Square Park Conservancy to mark its 20th anniversary  and funded in part by the NEA, a work inspired by both the Lenape land and Simpson’s own explorations of safety and lineage, and her monumental exhibit Strata currently showing at the Cleveland Museum of Art.  Simpson also discusses her automotive training and its impact on her art particularly her work  Maria--the black-on-black El Camino, symbolizing the Pueblo tradition of pottery within lowrider culture.  Simpson shares the challenges of creating art that respects cultural boundaries while pushing expressive boundaries, capturing the spirit of resilience and interconnectedness that defines her work.

    36 min

  8. OCT 29

    October 29, 2024 "Embracing the Darkness: A Conversation with Author Christina Henry"

    In time for Halloween—a conversation with author Christina Henry who has written 19 books of horror.  We discuss her latest book—The House That Horror Built, a chilling story set during the pandemic. The novel follows Harry, a single mother navigating the struggles of parenthood and financial instability, as she takes a job working for a reclusive horror film director.  Henry talks about the story’s atmospheric tension, its exploration of parenthood during the pandemic, and the enduring appeal of classic horror tropes. Henry discusses her creative process, including her love for horror films and how classics from the Vincent Price and Boris Karloff era inspired the novel’s atmospheric tension. She explores the enduring appeal of horror tropes such as haunted houses, eerie atmospheres, and mysterious characters, examining why these elements remain effective across generations. She also discusses why people are drawn to horror, how it provides a controlled thrill, and how moments of societal upheaval, like the pandemic, fuel the genre’s resurgence. Finally, Henry shares insights into her writing approach and finding the balance between character-driven narratives and the tension that horror demands.

    32 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The National Endowment for the Arts podcast that goes behind the scenes with some of the nation’s great artists to explore how art works.

Information

  • Creator
    National Endowment for the Arts
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    692
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Public Domain
  • Show Website
    Art Works Podcast

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