In a rapidly-changing digital world, traditional cultural institutions like symphonies and museums are struggling to remain relevant. Find out how some are trying to keep up.
Tag Archives: Arts & Entertainment
Shakespeare’s Sources for Macbeth
Where did Shakespeare get his ideas? This essay by Amanda Mabillard analyzes the sources and motivations underlying Shakespeare’s writing of The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Edgar Allan Poe – Mini Biography
Edgar Allan Poe’s legacy continues to pervade American culture to this day. His work and ideas not only helped to create an entire genre of literature but also changed the way many Americans thought and spoke about the human psyche. Watch this short biography of one of America’s most influential Dark Romantics.
Magnified photos expose the secret beauty of sand grains
Dr. Gary Greenberg uses high-quality microscopes to magnify and photograph grains of sand from beaches all over the world. Read this brief article to learn more. Make sure to click the link to view his spectacular images.
Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley was the first African American to publish a book of poetry in the United States, and the third woman to do so, regardless of race. Learn more about the life of this native of Senegal who was captured and enslaved at the age of eight.
Emily Dickinson Collection
Experience the Emily Dickinson Collection at Amherst College. Explore photos of the poet’s handwritten poems and letters.
Animation basics: The optical illusion of motion
This video explains how a human characteristic called ‘persistence of vision’ is the key to motion in animation.
Anne Frank: 10 beautiful quotes from The Diary of a Young Girl
This article appeared in January on Holocaust Memorial Day 2015, whose theme was “keep the memory alive.” Every time someone reads Anne Frank’s diary, that is what happens. What is your favorite quote from Anne Frank’s diary?
Zombie Neuroscience: Inside the Brains of the Walking Dead
What goes on inside the mind of a zombie? Two neuroscientists who are also avid zombie fans speculate about why zombies behave and act as they do. Based on their knowledge of the brain they explore some interesting reasons for their slow shuffle and poor coordination!
Fractal Patterns in Nature and Art Are Aesthetically Pleasing and Stress-Reducing
The patterns that appear in nature not only inspire art, but have health benefits as well.
Stitch by stitch, a brief history of knitting and activism
Learn about the significance of textiles and knitting in protest movements throughout history, and how people continue to use the craft to fight for causes they believe in.
A storytelling pilgrimage inspired by “The Canterbury Tales”
Inspired by The Canterbury Tales, a non-profit organization in England brings together volunteers and refugees who share their personal journeys on a five-day trek. Their goal is to create empathy through storytelling.
Review: Girls Just Wanna Play ‘Mac Beth’
Click here to read a review of a 2019 adaptation of Macbeth that features an all-female cast and imagines how teenage schoolgirls might choose to perform Shakespeare’s play.
Why Cultural Appropriation Isn’t Cool
We live in a multicultural society, so we enjoy food, music, and fashion from many backgrounds. But when is it sharing, and when is it stealing?
What Impact Do We Have On Our Environment? An Arlington Art Installation Makes Us Think About Our Presence
Artist Freedom Baird’s new outdoor exhibit in Arlington, Massachusetts, encourages viewers to consider the connection between humans, consumption, and nature.
Adventuring while female: why the relationship women have with nature matters
Inspired by ecologist and author Anne LaBastille, writer Megan Mayhew Bergman takes a solo trip to the Adirondacks in New York. In this essay, she describes how she overcame fears and proved something to herself.
Teens in ‘Peace’ program use filmmaking at Glenview Church to help learn about conflict resolution
In Chicago, a program brings Israeli and Palestinian teenagers to the United States to hear each other’s stories. Read the article for more about its goals.
Beyond the Scream: What I Learned from Horror Movies
A diverse selection of editors and writers offer insight about what they’ve learned from the horror genre.
Apollo 11 tribute features stunning projections onto Washington Monument
Watch a video of a tribute celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The Washington Monument transforms into a movie screen depicting various stages of the mission.
Here’s How Streaming Music is Killing the Planet
With the rise of music streaming, the music industry now produces less plastic waste than before. However, streaming music has its unintended consequences.