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 National Ballet of Ukraine's dancers aim to show that their culture lives on, despite Russian attacks on their country. Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S. calls the company a "symbol of resiliency." -
In her first children’s book, SNL star Kate McKinnon shows her affection for outsiders. It features Millicent Quib, a mad scientist with worms in her hair and oysters in her bathtub.
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The SNL star says her new book is part of what she calls her “private mission to give a wink and a nod” to young people who might feel “different” — like she did — growing up. -
Amy Sherald, Jeff Koons, Shepard Fairey and Rashid Johnson are among the visual artists who have donated works for an auction that will raise money for the Harris Victory Fund. -
This year, filmmaker Sterlin Harjo, poet Jericho Brown and disability rights activist Alice Wong are among the recipients of the so-called "genius grants." Each fellow receives $800,000. -
Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo are best known as the artist duo Osgemeos. They've been making art in tandem since they were kids in São Paulo, Brazil. -
DePrince, born in Sierra Leone, lost both her parents during the country’s civil war. She became the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem and later joined the Boston Ballet. -
In 2011, audiences were captivated by a 14 year old, originally from war-torn Sierra Leone, dancing in the ballet documentary First Position. Michaela DePrince has died at the age of 29.In 2011, audiences were captivated by a 14 year old, originally from war-torn Sierra Leone, dancing in the ballet documentary First Position. Michaela DePrince has died at the age of 29.
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Clubs book comedians with lots of TikTok followers because they say it ensures ticket sales. Some stand-ups say the platform launched their careers. Others say TikTok is an additional full-time job.
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Actor and singer James Darren, a teen heartthrob in the 1960s, died this week at the age of 88. Tall, dark and handsome, he starred in three of the "Gidget" beach movies.
