Art Works Podcast

In this visit to our archives, we dive deep into the mind of the legendary late Stan Lee, the maestro behind Marvel Comics' most iconic characters. From the origins of Spider-Man's creation, inspired by a simple insect on a wall, to the inception of the Fantastic Four, Stan Lee recounts his journey of transforming the world of comics. He delves into the realism he injected into his characters, from Peter Parker's New York residence to the X-Men's mutant origins. While discussing his desire for characters to be relatable, Lee highlights the importance of infusing everyday, human elements into the grandeur of superhero tales. Whether you're a Marvel aficionado or just a casual fan, this episode offers a unique glimpse into the creative process of one of the most influential figures in the comic book industry. The origin stories of our favorite characters are more grounded than one might think. The iconic Spider-Man, for instance, was born from Lee's observation of a mere spider scaling a wall. It made him wonder: what if a human had the abilities of a spider? Such simple, yet profound musings led to the birth of Peter Parker, a character whose human struggles resonated as much as his superhuman feats. But the revelations don't stop there. The Fantastic Four, Marvel's first superhero team, weren't just an assemblage of abilities but a reflection of family dynamics, friendship, and human resilience. Lee's brilliance lay not just in creating superheroes but in giving them depth, layers, and a touch of realism. He shares his thought process behind anchoring his characters in real-world cities, like Peter Parker's residence in New York, a tangible place that readers could identify with. In this episode, the late Stan Lee underscores a philosophy that became the hallmark of Marvel Comics: the marriage of the ordinary and the extraordinary. It wasn't just about capes, superpowers, or intergalactic wars. It was about heart, emotion, and the very human journey of self-discovery.

Emmett Phillips is a hip-hop artist,  actor, poet, and teaching artist based in Des Moines, Iowa. In this podcast, Emmett shares his journey from his early days in hip-hop through his time in the military to becoming a teaching artist who empowers youth through the arts, specifically hip-hop. Emmett discusses hip-hop as a cultural movement that uplifts people, amplifies the voices of the oppressed, and expresses ideas and values with creativity and style. He talks about his personal growth through hip-hop and how it inspired him to become a teaching artist, helping students find their voices and build confidence.  Emmett describes his work at Oakridge Neighborhood, a multi-faceted community organization where he has infused hip-hop into the art program. He shares stories of students who have transformed from shy and hesitant to confident performers through hip-hop. He details the creation of the music video made by the Children of Oakridge Neighborhood “Success is my Protest,” describing the collaborative process by which it was made and how the project empowered the young people. Emmett talks about his work in arts education creating curriculum for public schools, community organizations, and universities, and the role of arts education in empowering youth, building confidence, and fostering positive change within communities. Overall, Emmett Phillips's work highlights the demonstrable power of arts education, the creative exuberance of hip-hop and how the two can come together to create dynamic classrooms.

As we’re gearing up for “back to school”, it seemed like a good time to revisit my interview with Dr. Lisa Donovan about her work at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) to increase access to arts education equitably in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.  The college collaborates with numerous arts organizations, educators, business leaders, and social workers through a network funded by four collective impact grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Dr. Donovan discusses collective impact as a cross-sector approach to addressing complex problems such as increasing for equitable access to arts education for students across all 13 districts in the Berkshire region as well as the significance of school-based access to arts and cultural experiences for both students and the community.  She also talks about the C4 initiative (Creative Compact for Collaborative Collective Impact), which encompasses career readiness, her commitment to arts integration (which she defines as learning in, through, and with the arts in collaboration with other content areas),  and the power of networks and the potential for collective impact to open and sustain artistic and cultural opportunities in rural regions like Berkshire County. Let us know what you think about Art Works—email us at artworkspod@arts.gov. And follow us on Apple Podcasts   Programs discussed in the podcast: MCLA Institute for the Arts and Humanities Berkshire Regional Arts Integration Network Integrating the Arts Across the Curriculum The C4 Initiative Collective Impact

Wampum & Fiber Artist and 2023 National Heritage Fellow Elizabeth James-Perry (Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, Aquinnah) is a brilliant artist, marine biologist, and advocate for cultural preservation, Native lifeways, and environmental stewardship. In this podcast, Elizabeth talks about the intersection of art and science and explains how these two passions inform her work.  She discusses the vital role of the Atlantic Ocean in the Northeast and its significance to tribal communities, the long history of fiber arts in tribal communities and her efforts to recover and preserve these traditional practices, the importance of sourcing natural materials sustainably, her experiences in reviving natural dyes for her artistic projects, and the connection between traditional arts and ecological knowledge.  We also discuss the significance of Elizabeth’s project, “Raven Reshapes Boston”, a Native Corn Garden at the Museum of Fine Arts, which aimed to reclaim Native American culture and environmental values as well as  her passion for teaching and mentoring. She also reflects on the significance of her receiving the National Heritage Award for Indigenous arts in the Northeast, raising their visibility and sustainability. . Let us know what you think about Art Works—email us at artworkspod@arts.gov.

This week, we’re revisiting 2017 National Heritage Fellow Phil Wiggins, a true master of the blues harmonica. In this music-filled podcast, Phil discusses the significance of Piedmont blues, the art of blues harmonica, and his own commitment to preserving and passing down the blues heritage to future generations.  He recounts how his passion for the instrument grew, meeting legendary guitarist and 1989 National Heritage Fellow John Cephas and partnering with him to become the iconic duo "Cephas & Wiggins." Throughout the podcast, Phil talks about (and demonstrates) the art of blues harmonica, sharing insights about mastering various techniques, the importance of improvisation in blues music, mentoring aspiring musicians, and playing out with The Phil Wiggins Blues House Party featuring dancer Junious Brickhouse. Let us know what you think about Art Works—email us at artworkspod@arts.gov. And follow us on Apple Podcasts  

To mark Disability Pride month, we’re revisiting one of my favorite interviews: a 2020 conversation with Rebekah Taussig who discusses her memoir in essays (and current NEA Big Read title) Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body. Rebekah, who has a Ph.D in Disability Studies and Creative Nonfiction, shares personal experiences that inform her book and shed light on the intersection of disability and identity,  the daily obstacles and societal misconceptions individuals with disabilities encounter, and the physical and emotional challenges she can face as a wheelchair user.  She discusses the need for inclusivity and accessibility in all aspects of life, emphasizes the power of personal narratives in reshaping societal perspectives on disability, and explains how storytelling can be a tool for empowerment, education, and fostering empathy. She  talks about growing up as a paralyzed girl in the 1990s and 2000s and searching to find a story—any story—that reflected her own. She didn’t, and so she wrote it into existence. We talk about the steps society needs to take to become more inclusive and accessible, the importance of education and representation in dismantling ableism, and strategies for fostering empathy, understanding, and inclusion.  In reading her book and interviewing Rebekah for the podcast, I felt as though I was listening to a very funny, very smart, and very thoughtful friend who was imagining big things for all of us. Let us know what you think about Art Works—email us at artworkspod@arts.gov.

  Gil Rose is a conductor and  the founder and artistic director of the performing and recording ensemble the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP), which is dedicated exclusively to commissioning, performing, and recording music of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and Odyssey Opera which is dedicated to performing lesser-known older operas as well as contemporary new works. Rose is also the founder of BMOP/Sound, BMOP’s independent record label, which was created in 2008 to provide a platform for BMOP’s (and then Odyssey’s) extensive archive of music. In this podcast, Gil Rose shares his motivation behind starting BMOP( which is celebrating its 25th anniversary) and his desire  to create a musically interesting and worthwhile project focused on contemporary music and focused on the dynamic between composers, performers, and the audience. Rose discusses his emphasis on flexibility and collaboration with other arts organizations and creating a great orchestra with exceptional free-lance musicians—a decision that allows BMOP to perform a wide range of repertoire, from 90-player orchestra pieces to smaller ensembles. Rose also talks about the critical aspect of fundraising and the challenges of sustaining BMOP and Odyssey, and the importance of grants, particularly those received from the National Endowment for the Arts which have provided integral support for a variety of projects, and whose endorsement acts as a seal of approval and often helps in raising money from other sources. Gil Rose also discusses the "As Told By" initiative, a five-year project commissioning, premiering, and recording opera works by black composers about black historical subjects. (The first opera premiered was "X:The Life and Times of Malcolm X" by Anthony Davis; the second scheduled for 2024 will be “Harriet Tubman” by Nkeiru Okoye—both received grants from the Arts Endowment.) And finally, Rose reflects on BMOP's 25th anniversary, their many collaborations and partnerships, their debut at Carnegie Hall, which received glowing reviews from The New York Times and what’s on the road ahead. Let us know what you think about Art Works—email us at artworkspod@arts.gov.

  We’re celebrating July 4 by revisiting our 2015 podcast with former Singing Sergeant and current Director of Music and Opera at the National Endowment for the Arts Ann Meier Baker. In this podcast, Meier Baker talks about the professional bands and ensembles associated with each branch of the military and her decision to audition for and then join the Singing Sergeants—which meant going through boot camp. That was the hard part. She then relates her experiences over the four years she spent traveling nationally and internationally with this elite and diverse chorus.  Let us know what you think about Art Works—email us at artworkspod@arts.gov. And follow us on Apple Podcasts!  

023 NEA Jazz Master Kenny Garrett is a saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. He sees himself as a “preacher” on his saxophone—searching for that “one note that would touch people.” In this music-filled podcast, Garrett talks about his musical beginnings in Detroit, move to NYC, and time with the Duke Ellington Band, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, and Miles Davis, and the different lessons he learned from all of them. He discusses finding his musical voice,  his role as a band leader, the spiritual aspects of his music, the lasting influence of John Coltrane, and his collaborations with Pharoah Sanders and Chick Corea.  Kenny also talks about his process for composing, teaching his music to band members, the energy created by live performance, playing as part of the Grammy-Award winning Five Peace Band, his ability to incorporate many different genres in his music, his commitment to both contemporary music and music from the ancestors, and his deep belief in music’s healing power.  He also plays John Coltrane’s soprano saxophone live during an emotional moment in the podcast.  Let us know what you think about Art Works—email us at artworkspod@arts.gov. And follow us on Apple Podcasts!   Keywords: Kenny Garrett, NEA Jazz Master, Jazz, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Five Peace Band, Sounds from the Ancestors

Tiya Miles is best known as a historian and the author of the National Book Award winner All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, A Black Family Keepsake. But Tiya had preceded All That She Carried with a novel The Cherokee Rose, published in 2015, which she has revised and has just been reissued with a new introduction.  The novel moves from contemporary Georgia to the early 1800s and back again, as it explores the intertwined and sometime painful histories of indigenous peoples and enslaved Black communities and those repercussions still felt in the 21st century. Drawn from Miles’s imagination but based in her scholarly research,  The Cherokee Rose foregrounds the voices and experiences of women: Black, indigenous, multi-racial, and white while it shines a light on a little-known history.  In this podcast, Tiya Miles talks about the challenges for her as an historian in writing a novel, what fiction allows her to explore, how writing the novel helped her think creatively when she conceptualized and wrote All That She Carried We also discuss her winning the MacArthur Fellowship and the freedom it gave her, her reasons for revising The Cherokee Rose, and how she draws hope from the creative determination of the women that she has spent her life studying.