Art Works

Series produced by National Endowment for the Arts

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Image by: Kelli Rogowski for the National Endowment for the Arts 

Art Works is the weekly program produced by the National Endowment for the Arts. It goes behind the scenes with some of the nation's great artists to explore how art works. New shows are posted on Tuesdays. Find out more at arts.gov

Art Works is the weekly program produced by the National Endowment for the Arts. It goes behind the scenes with some of the nation's great artists to explore how art works. Guests have included the co-founder of Los Lobos Louie Pérez, National Medal of the Arts winner and the man behind Marvel comics, Stan Lee, Mohegan theater artist Madeline Sayet, National Book Award Winner Charles Yu, and NEA Jazz Master Grammy Award winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington. You can find the current and archived programs at https://www.arts.gov/stories/podcast or by subscribing to Apple podcasts

Thanks for listening!


564 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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A look at the Washington, DC roots of Duke Ellington and their impact on his development as a musician and composer.

  • Added: Jul 26, 2011
  • Length: 08:41
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Once known as the "Black Broadway," U Street is again a vibrant cultural place in the city, as evidenced by Arena Stage's smash production of Sophi...

  • Added: Jul 26, 2011
  • Length: 25:58
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Author Amy Tan talks about her first novel, The Joy Luck Club, her relationship with her mother, and the art of writing.

  • Added: Jul 26, 2011
  • Length: 27:50
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Carlisle Floyd talks about his extensive career in opera, including writing some of his most famous pieces, Susannah, Of Mice and Men, Willie Stark...

  • Added: Jul 26, 2011
  • Length: 29:55
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David Baker discusses his immersion into jazz, from playing to composing to teaching.

Bought by KVSC


  • Added: Jul 26, 2011
  • Length: 26:46
  • Purchases: 1
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2009 NEA National Heritage Fellows, The Birmingham Sunlights, discuss the creation of their group and their unique "Birmingham sound."

  • Added: Jul 26, 2011
  • Length: 25:40
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Recipient of the 1997 NEA/Seaver Conductors Award, Alan Gilbert discusses his first year as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic

  • Added: Jul 25, 2011
  • Length: 28:50
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Rajiv Joseph talks about developing and writing his play Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, a 2010 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Theater.

  • Added: Jul 25, 2011
  • Length: 22:14
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Star of stage and screen--and winner of just about every performance award--National Medal of the Arts recipient Rita Moreno talks about her life a...

  • Added: Jul 25, 2011
  • Length: 28:06
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Lynn Hill discusses her participation in "Holding It Down" -- Vijay Iyer's and Mike Ladd's performance piece based on the dreams of veterans of col...

Bought by KPIP-LP


  • Added: Feb 18, 2014
  • Length: 26:45
  • Purchases: 1
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The archival voice of Merce himself defining the art of dance! Radiohead! Need we say more.

Bought by WABE


  • Added: Jul 25, 2011
  • Length: 22:53
  • Purchases: 1
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A conversation with George Wein, the man who launched the first outdoor jazz festival in the US--the legendary Newport Jazz Festival. [29:54]

Bought by KMUW and KPIP-LP


  • Added: Feb 18, 2014
  • Length: 29:54
  • Purchases: 2
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The man behind Spider Man, Stan Lee was awarded a 2008 National Medal of Arts. Like the superheroes he invented, Stan Lee is bigger than life. Chec...

  • Added: Jul 22, 2011
  • Length: 29:57
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Toward the end of his life, Robert Ward discussed his remarkable career in music. [29:15]

Bought by KPIP-LP


  • Added: Feb 18, 2014
  • Length: 29:17
  • Purchases: 1
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Antonio Sanchez talks about the melody of jazz drumming and his new CD, New Life. [34:21]

Bought by KPIP-LP


  • Added: Feb 18, 2014
  • Length: 34:21
  • Purchases: 1
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Wave Hill is a 28-acre public garden and cultural center. It's in the heart of the Bronx, and considered one of New York City's best-kept secrets.

  • Added: Jul 25, 2011
  • Length: 12:42
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Pianist, bandleader, composer and 2013 NEA Jazz Master, Eddie Palmieri talks about his innovative music which blends Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz. ...

Bought by Prairie Public, KMUW, and KPIP-LP


  • Added: Feb 12, 2014
  • Length: 32:22
  • Purchases: 3
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The Oberlin Conservatory of Music won the 2009 National Medal of Arts, the highest award bestowed on an artist or organization by the federal gover...

  • Added: Jul 25, 2011
  • Length: 28:08
Caption: Tope Folarin, Credit: David Fleming
Tope Folarin becomes the first writer born outside of Africa to win the Caine Prize with his short story set in Texas in an evangelical Nigerian ch...

Bought by KPIP-LP


  • Added: Mar 20, 2014
  • Length: 28:24
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Anthony Braxton, Credit: Photo by Michael G. Stewart
Anthony Braxton may be considered avant garde but he embraces all musical traditions

  • Added: Mar 21, 2014
  • Length: 40:46