Saying Goodbye To The Kojo Nnamdi Show
On this last episode, we look back on 23 years of joyous, difficult and always informative conversation.
The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
A recent study of museum catalogs in the United States found a lack of diversity at many major art museums, including the National Gallery of Art.
There, close to 90 percent of pieces were created by white men and less than three percent were by artists of color.
So, are local museums and artists interested in diversifying their galleries? We explore the motivations behind whose work gets shown and hear from local activists protesting the lack of inclusion.
Produced by Julie Depenbrock
Guests
- Ambreen Butt Artist, "Mark My Words" at the National Museum of Women in the Arts
- Ginny Treanor Associate Curator, National Museum of Women in the Arts; @WomenInTheArts
- Ximena Varela Director, Arts Management Program at American University
Protest Photos
The organization "Radical Matriarchy" held a protest outside the National Gallery of Art on Valentine's Day.
Radical Matriarchy protesters assembled outside the National Gallery of Art from 10 am to 5 pm.
Portraits of artists not featured in the National Gallery lined the barriers outside.
Part of the Valentine's Day protest was a group painting activity.
The protest's focus was the underrepresentation of women and people of color in the museum's catalog.
Sister Leona, whose given name is Michelle Sutherland, was the lead organizer of the protest outside the National Gallery.
"These kids are getting out of the school bus, going into the gallery and it's being presented to them as art in general," said Sister Leona. "This is white men's art."
"I'm big on civic engagement," said Azar Senh, a University of Maryland student who came to the protest.
"The point of what we're doing out here is to get artists who are not seen in these museums some visibility," said Mary, a protestor with Radical Matriarchy.
A recent study found that 90 percent of the art in the National Gallery is done by white artists. "We're hoping some day the paradigm will shift."
Britney Marie stands with her own self-portrait.
One protestor wanted a haircut.
Fellow protestors cheered her on.
Only three percent of the gallery's collection is by artists of color.
Most Recent Shows
Author Briana Thomas On ‘Black Broadway In Washington D.C.’ And The History Of D.C.’s Black Culture
Kojo talks with author Briana Thomas about her book “Black Broadway In Washington D.C.,” and the District’s rich Black history.
Kevin Young Takes The Helm Of Smithsonian African American Museum
Poet, essayist and editor Kevin Young is the second director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. He joins Kojo to talk about his vision for the museum and how it can help us make sense of this moment in history.
A Conversation With PBS NewsHour’s Judy Woodruff
Ms. Woodruff joins us to talk about her successful career in broadcasting, how the field of journalism has changed over the decades and why she chose to make D.C. home.