Videos

Misty Copeland, the first African America principle dancer in the history of the American Ballet Theatre, talked about her life and new book, Ballerina Body: Dancing and Eating Your Way to a…

David Skorton talked about the future of the Smithsonian Institution and responded to questions from audience members. He focused his speech on the importance of investments in arts and huma…

Jane Chu, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, spoke the day before her organization’s 50th anniversary at a National Press Club breakfast. She unveiled about her organization’s lat…

William Adams, the newly appointed chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), spoke at a National Press Club luncheon. He announced the NEH’s “Common Good: The Humanities in t…

Deborah Rutter talked about her plan for the future of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She emphasized the importance or arts education and cultural diplomacy. Afterward, …

Alec Baldwin talked about federal funding for arts and education. In his remarks,he stressed the importance of art to American culture and the economy. In addition, he commented on social me…

Contemporary artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude spoke about the project they have been preparing: assembling and suspending massive silver fabric panels horizontally over 40 miles of the Arka…

Leonard Slatkin addressed a National Press Club luncheon and reflected on his twelve years with the National Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Slatkin will be leaving to become musical director for…

Terrence Jones of the Wolf Trap Foundation brought special guest Marvin Hamlisch with him for a special presentation. He and Mr. Hamlisch talked about the role of arts in education, and Haml…

Moderated by Marvin Kalb, the panelists debated all sides of the topic, “Whose Work Is It, Anyway? The Google Print Project and the Future of the Written Word.” They talked primarily about …

Scott Bakula talked about performing in Ford’s Theatre production of the Tony Award-winning Civil War musical “Shenandoah.” In it Mr. Bakula portrays the main character Charlie Anderson, th…

Philippe de Montebello, director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, talked about antiques as cultural property and legal issues concerning ownership of art and collecting practices. In his r…

Mr. Jones spoke on the topic, "Preserving our Heritage: Cultural Continuity through the Performing Arts". He was joined by Grammy award-winning artist, Al Jarreau. They spoke about the impor…

Leon Fleisher, noted pianist and conductor, spoke about his life, work in music, public funding for the arts and American culture in a speech to the National Press Club. Following his remark…

Brian Lamb detailed his personal biography and his development of the C-SPAN cable networks. He praised the many cable executives and other persons who made it possible. C-SPAN was created a…

Singer Placido Domingo talked about the Washington National Opera, of which he was the General Director at the time. He also spoke about philanthropy for arts programs and the future 50th an…

Dana Gioia talked about the operation of the National Endowment for the Arts and its impact on American culture. Following his remarks he answered questions from the audience.

Mr. Powell talked about the history and development of the National Gallery of Art, and about art in general. He also responded to questions from the audience. The video and audio do not mat…

Mr. Wiesel discussed the Holocaust, human rights, and his writing. He also talked about terrorism and the threat it posed to future peace. Following his remarks he responded to questions and…

Author Salman Rushdie discussed his book Step Across This Line: Collected Non-Fiction 1992-2002, published by Random House. He talked about the various pieces included in the book and read s…