Arts & Music
Celebrate the art, music, literature, and theatre that shapes our culture. Explore musical performances, artist biographies, art history documentaries and more.
Powerhouse singer-songwriter Brittany Howard dazzles with highlights from "What Now" in an epic hour
Brittany Howard
Jazz Documentaries & Concerts
Explore the history of jazz or kick back with jazz icons like Louis Armstrong and Ron Carter.
"Wheel Within A Wheel" - Bobby Watson Quartet
Full unedited performance not seen in the film.
"Wheel Within A Wheel" - Bobby Watson Quartet
Gregory Porter delivers a poignant performance of his song "On My Way to Harlem."
"On My Way To Harlem"
How Charlie Parker Changed Jazz Forever
Charlie Parker, a legendary jazz musician, influenced bebop, jazz, and many genres today.
How Charlie Parker Changed Jazz Forever
"Tradewinds" is an intimate portrait of the life of CHamoru jazz pianist, Patrick Palomo.
Tradewinds
23-Year-Old Grammy Winner Samara Joy Is the Future of Jazz
Jazz singer Samara Joy discusses what it was like to win her first Grammy.
23-Year-Old Grammy Winner Samara Joy Is the Future of Jazz
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The Surprising Origins of Streetwear
Hip-hop Heads and Skater punks fused styles, bringing Streetwear mainstream.
The Surprising Origins of Streetwear
Zola, France, Realism, and Naturalism
19th century playwrights remade the French theater – first with Realism, then Naturalism.
Zola, France, Realism, and Naturalism
Why Edgar Allan Poe Isn't Just a Sad Boy
His legacy is more complicated than school books may have lead us to believe.
Why Edgar Allan Poe Isn't Just a Sad Boy
How Black Artists Have Influenced Country Music
How have black musicians shaped country music?
How Black Artists Have Influenced Country Music
How Hip-Hop speaks Truth to Power: Then and Now
How does Hip-Hop's history of championing underserved communities continue, today?
How Hip-Hop speaks Truth to Power: Then and Now
Lessons From Women in Graffiti Who Overcame Adversity
Host Josef Lorenzo meets women graffiti writers from across New York City.
Lessons From Women in Graffiti Who Overcame Adversity
Race Melodrama and Minstrel Shows
19th century racism contributed to a unique and troubling performance culture in America.
Race Melodrama and Minstrel Shows
Behind the scenes of the production of the music video for the song, "Portobelo."
Behind the Beat: Portobelo
Toni Morrison’s Opus About Confronting a Terrible Past
To understand Beloved, we must first look at the author: Nobel Prize Winner Toni Morrison.
Toni Morrison’s Opus About Confronting a Terrible Past
Linda Diaz explores the history of DJing and DJ culture from radio to music festivals.
What Do DJs Even Do?
Steampunk art evokes an alternate reality where steam is the primary source of power.
Steampunk Culture
Artist Biographies
Shows and documentaries that explore famous artists.
Art History & Music Documentaries
Explore the history of art, music and culture through these great shows and documentaries.
Featured from American Masters
Discover insightful profiles of important figures in America's artistic and cultural life.
Discover Augusta Savage's legacy as a Harlem Renaissance sculptor and art activist.
Searching for Augusta Savage
Caribbean-American D.J. Walshy Fire electrifies audiences with dancehall-inspired beats.
Walshy Fire: Pull Up
Alejandro Jimenez: The Ground I Stand On
A lyrical exploration of the life and work of Mexican-American poet Alejandro Jimenez.
Alejandro Jimenez: The Ground I Stand On
James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket
An encore of James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket (original broadcast August 14, 1989)
James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket
Spotlight on American Experience
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE brings to life the compelling stories from our past!
Learn More
Watch chapter 1 of War of the Worlds, premiering on PBS October 29, 2013 at 9/8c.
War of the Worlds Chapter 1
French music producer Henri Belolo tells the origin story of the Village People.
From the Vault: Henri Belolo
Articles & Interviews
PBS
The Dazzling, Daring History of Disco
Take a journey into the heart of disco to learn where this genre came from, where it went and how it’s still impacting the world today.
AMERICAN MASTERS
How does art help communicate the climate crisis?
Through paintings, watercolors and other mediums, artists and scientists are creatively addressing the impacts of climate change.
THE EXPRESS WAY
5 Artists Showcasing the Art's Transformative Power
New docuseries showcases Dulé Hill touring America finding artists who use creative expression for positive change.
GREAT PERFORMANCES
Kenny Leon on Hamlet, Directing, And More
We spoke with Tony-winning director Kenny Leon of both "Hamlet" and "Purlie Victorious" about the similarities between the two shows and how he approached them.
Quick Brushstrokes
Short dives on artists and artistic endeavors.
Jonathan Thunder: Good Mythology
Ojibwe artist Jonathan Thunder explores the mythic inspirations of his surrealist work.
Jonathan Thunder: Good Mythology
Native American actress Lily Gladstone reflects on her origins and acting in Hollywood.
Lily Gladstone: Far Out There
Twyla Tharp on the Value of a Dancer’s Individuality
Twyla Tharp discusses the moment she knows when she wants to work with a dancer.
Twyla Tharp on the Value of a Dancer’s Individuality
Nathaniel Mary Quinn Talks the Inspiration for His Art
Artist Nathaniel Mary Quinn talks with Misty Copeland about the vision behind his works.
Nathaniel Mary Quinn Talks the Inspiration for His Art
David Bacharach creates "The Mounds," a land art installation confronting climate change.
Weaving Nature
Featured from PBS NewsHour: Beyond the Canvas
Meet some of the nation’s leading cultural creators -- musicians, playwrights, comedians, and more.
Art in the Twenty-First Century
Art21 showcases today's contemporary visual artists and their groundbreaking creations.
Learn More
Featuring artists Tanya Aguiñiga, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Richard Misrach, and Postcommodity
Borderlands
Feat. Creative Growth Art Center, Katy Grannan, Lynn Hershman Leeson, & Stephanie Syjuco.
San Francisco Bay Area
