Activating Art and Justice

An on-air and online portal to unscripted, thought provoking conversations about the business, relevance, and sustainability of the arts in the 21st century. Guests will explore challenging issues as well as exciting opportunities for the arts and cultural sector to help address the civic agenda and, in collaboration with other sectors, build a more vibrant and inclusive community. Contact Up Close and Cultural host, Rachel DeGuzman, at rdeguzman@wayofm.org

Past Episodes

  • A chat with Gaynelle Wethers about equity and social justice beyond art and culture Aired: Tuesday, March 15, 2016

    Up Close and Cultural host Rachel DeGuzman welcomed Rochester based diversity, inclusion and social justice expert Gaynelle Wethers to talk about her experience and thoughts re the movement for more equity in America. This conversation was inspired by a recent talk, "The Art of Social Justice 2," which DeGuzman attended last Thursday at New York University – where several panelists suggested that activists promoting equity in the arts look to other sectors for partnerships and more effective practices.

  • A chat with Gaynelle Wethers about equity and social justice beyond art and culture Aired: Tuesday, March 15, 2016

    Up Close and Cultural host Rachel DeGuzman welcomed Rochester based diversity, inclusion and social justice expert Gaynelle Wethers to talk about her experience and thoughts re the movement for more equity in America. This conversation was inspired by a recent talk, "The Art of Social Justice 2," which DeGuzman attended last Thursday at New York University – where several panelists suggested that activists promoting equity in the arts look to other sectors for partnerships and more effective practices.

  • A conversation about the "D" word and other issues of equity that were raised at Dance/NYC symposium Aired: Friday, March 11, 2016

    Up Close and Cultural host Rachel DeGuzman had a probing conversation with “KB” (Karen Brown), executive director of Garth Fagan Dance, Thomas Warfield, founder and artistic director of PeaceArt International, in the studio and Mark Allen Davis, assistant professor at Ohio Northern University – on the phone, calling in from Chicago, Illinois. The esteemed panel discussed evolving perspectives about the use of the “D" word (diversity) and other pressing issues of equity and inclusion in the arts and cultural sector that were raised at the recent Dance/NYC 2016 symposium.

  • Up Close and Cultural explores controversy about street art and ROC subway Aired: Tuesday, March 1, 2016

    WAYO 104.3 FM’s Up Close and Cultural guest-host Margot Muto conducted a fascinating interview with local graffiti artist Range of FUA Krew and activist Jesse Hughson. They talked about the impact of the open-air-art in the abandoned subway, the history of graffiti, and how other cities around the country have or have not embraced their street art cultures. This conversation was very timely given the recent controversy and just how complicated the future of the Rochester subway has become in our city.

  • Up Close and Cultural explores symbolism in Beyonce's "Formation" video and controversy Aired: Tuesday, February 23, 2016

    Up Close and Cultural" host Rachel DeGuzman welcomed guests Thomas Warfield, Reenah Golden, Erin Barnett and Mark Allan Davis to a discussion about Beyoncé's new "Formation" video and controversial Super Bowl performance. This show was part two of a two-hour mash-up discussion inspired by recent controversies in the news and on social media.

    This show originally aired at noon on February 23, 2016 and was broadcast from the WAYO 104.3 FM studio in Rochester, New York. The photo in this post is of guest Erin Barnett.

  • Up Close and Cultural explores diversity and inclusion at the Oscar's and in Hollywood Aired: Tuesday, February 23, 2016

    Up Close and Culture host Rachel DeGuzman welcomed guests Sheila Rayam and Thomas Warfield to a discussion about diversity and inclusion at the Oscar's and in Hollywood. This show was part one of a two-hour mash-up discussion inspired by recent controversies in the news and on social media.

    This show originally aired at 11 am on February 23, 2016 and was broadcast from the WAYO 104.3 FM studio in Rochester, New York. The photo in this post is of guest Sheila Rayam.

  • Rachel DeGuzman chats with 4 members of American theatre scene on diversity, inclusion and equity. Part 2 Aired: Tuesday, February 9, 2016

    Up Close and Cultural host Rachel DeGuzman welcomed guests from the American theatre world- – Mark Allan Davis, Bryan E. Glover, Kyoung H. Park and Annette Ramos – for part 2 in an ongoing conversation that was inspired by issues related to Broadway actor Tonya Pinkins quitting the latest production of Mother Courage.

    The distinguished panel explored the connection that courage and commerce have to fostering greater diversity, inclusion and equity in American theatre as well as issues raised in the recent DeVo’s Institute report on diversity in the arts.

  • A chat with Janice Gouldthorpe on the role of community arts centers Aired: Tuesday, February 2, 2016

    Up Close and Cultural host Rachel DeGuzman welcomed guest Janice Gouldthorpe, executive director of Genesee Center for the Arts and Education, for a discussion about the many facets of successful community arts centers and the multiple ways, known and unknown, that they serve communities.

    This show aired on February 2, 2016 from the WAYO studio in Rochester, New York.

  • A chat with Mark Nerenhausen about art, culture and the civic agenda Aired: Tuesday, January 26, 2016

    Up Close and Cultural host Rachel DeGuzman welcomed guest Mark Alan Nerenhausen for a discussion about the underleveraged power of the arts and the sectors potential impacts beyond galleries and concert halls. They explored opportunities for arts and culture to be at multiple tables, to strategically work with other business sectors, and help address issues in the civic agenda, which contribute to vital communities.

  • Guest-host Thomas Warfield chats with photographer & advocate Ralph Thompson Aired: Tuesday, January 19, 2016

    Up Close and Cultural guest-host Thomas Warfield chats with multifaceted photographer and cultural advocate Ralph Thompson.

    This show originally aired on January 19, 2016 at 11 am on WAYO 104.3 FM in Rochester, New York.

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