Dear Listener,

Throughout the pandemic I’ve been returning again and again to the idea of time. The influx of time that many of us experienced through a cut in work commutes, the absence of extracurriculars, and, for some, the unfortunate loss of employment, created a space to pause—voluntarily or involuntarily—and reevaluate the fabric of our lives. There was time to think about our health, our priorities, justice, and relationships. We made bread, we protested, we probably cried (just me?), and we Zoomed with anyone and everyone.

Museums and arts organizations around the country used this pause as well to reimagine their work, asking themselves how their mission translated into the virtual realm and how one might connect with an audience who could no longer enter their doors. In a rush of creativity and ingenuity (and some desperation), there were AR tours, digital panels, and renewed attention to e-newsletters. For many cultural workers, this need and desire to circumvent the traditional modes of arts presentation and participation is nothing new. They have been doing this work pre-pandemic. This project highlights three arts and culture practitioners in Washington D.C. who have disrupted the traditional approaches to arts engagement.

As those of us in the arts continue to reimagine what our role is in our communities and how we can connect more effectively with our audiences, we may choose to look towards those who have been there before—using this time to recognize what’s already been done and to acknowledge that there’s much to be learned. Enjoy.

- Johanna