Elizabeth Blair
Elizabeth Blair is a Peabody Award-winning senior producer/reporter on the Arts Desk of NPR News.
Blair produces, edits, and reports arts and cultural segments for NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition. In this position, she has reported on a range of topics from arts funding to the MeToo movement. She has profiled renowned artists such as Yayoi Kusama and Mikhail Baryshnikov, explored how old women are represented in fairy tales, and reported the origins of the children's classic Curious George. Among her all-time favorite interviews are actors Octavia Spencer and Andy Serkis, comedians Bill Burr and Hari Kondabolu, the rapper K'Naan, and Cookie Monster (in character).
Blair has overseen several, large-scale series including The NPR 100, which explored landmark musical works of the 20th Century, and In Character, which probed the origins of iconic American fictional characters. Along with her colleagues on the Arts Desk and at NPR Music, Blair curated American Anthem, a major series exploring the origins of songs that uplift, rouse, and unite people around a common theme.
Blair's work has received several honors, including two Peabody Awards and a Gracie. She previously lived in Paris, France, where she co-produced Le Jazz Club From Paris with Dee Dee Bridgewater, and the monthly magazine Postcard From Paris.
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The comedian defended Rashad's freedom of speech after the actress came under criticism for defending Cosby after his sexual assault conviction was overturned. -
Visceral reactions to the news that Bill Cosby has been released from prison include shock from victims' advocates and #MeToo activists to support from his friend and TV co-star Phylicia Rashad.
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The American Rescue Plan set aside $135 million for arts and culture, nearly doubling the amount that was available in President Trump's CARES Act, and makes more groups eligible for funding. -
On Tuesday afternoon, President Biden announced four new appointees to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, replacing four commissioners appointed by former President Donald Trump. -
Paul Mooney spent decades behind the scenes writing for such shows as Saturday Night Live, In Living Color and, along with his friend Richard Pryor, Sanford and Son starring Redd Foxx. He was 79. -
According to a statement from New York Public Radio, an outside investigation found that Garfield violated the company's anti-bullying policy. He was the subject of a similar investigation in 2020. -
The federally funded museum has been accused of "institutional misconduct" including racism and sexual harassment. A petition claimed some employees call it "the last plantation on the National Mall." -
Closely associated with Meat Loaf, Jim Steinman also wrote over-the-top hits for Bonnie Tyler, Air Supply and Celine Dion, as well as music for the stage. -
The announcement from the White House was included in an executive order that revokes a number of Trump's actions as president. Trump had aimed to promote traditional design for federal buildings. -
Two actors that had alleged the Oscar nominee's acting school sexually exploited female students have reached a preliminary settlement agreement. It is unclear if monetary payments are involved.
