Art and Design

Trump calls for broader review of U.S. museums

SMGN Publishing August 20, 2025

Expanding criticism beyond the Smithsonian Former President Donald Trump expanded his criticism of cultural institutions, moving beyond the Smithsonian Institution to include museums across the country. In a lengthy social media post, he described these spaces as holding onto what he views as “ideological narratives,” emphasizing his dissatisfaction with the

Parade Musical Opens at the Kennedy Center Amid Ongoing Debate on Antisemitism and History

SMGN Publishing August 19, 2025

Revisiting the Leo Frank Case on Stage The Tony Award-winning musical Parade ends its national tour in Washington with performances at the Kennedy Center. The production dramatizes the real-life case of Leo Frank, a Jewish man accused of murdering 13-year-old Mary Phagan in 1913 in Atlanta. The trial, conviction, and

U.S. Government Proposes Comprehensive Review of Eight Smithsonian Museums

SMGN Publishing August 13, 2025

Request for Internal Evaluation The White House has sent a letter to the Smithsonian Institution requesting a comprehensive internal review of eight museums, aiming to align their content with established cultural guidelines for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The communication, addressed to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, outlines a staged process

Albert Pike Statue Set to Be Reinstalled in Washington D.C. After 2020 Protests

SMGN Publishing August 5, 2025

National Park Service to restore monument under preservation laws The statue of Albert Pike, a Confederate general and Masonic leader, which was toppled and burned during demonstrations in June 2020, is set to be restored and returned to its original site in Washington D.C., according to the National Park Service

Proposed Legislation Seeks to Rename the Kennedy Center After Donald Trump

SMGN Publishing July 30, 2025

Republican bill aims to rebrand a major cultural institution in Washington, D.C. A new bill introduced in the U.S. Congress proposes renaming the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Titled the Make Entertainment Great Again Act, the legislation seeks to change the center’s name to the Donald J.

Teen Artists Confront Boundaries on Self-Expression at Cultural Events

SMGN Publishing July 28, 2025

Art initiatives reveal real-life experiences of youth This summer, teen artists participated in two exhibitions aimed at representing their everyday realities. “The Teen Experience” at the American University Museum in Washington, D.C., and an installation at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival showcased their perspectives on topics like mental health, school safety,

Stephen Sondheim’s Creative Archive Preserved at the Library of Congress

SMGN Publishing July 11, 2025

A treasure trove of sketches, lyrics, and musical drafts now open to researchers The Library of Congress has officially added over 5,000 items from the personal archive of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, offering an in-depth look into the creative process of one of musical theatre’s most celebrated figures. The

From Community Theater to Broadway: Jeffrey Seller’s Journey as a Visionary Producer

SMGN Publishing July 1, 2025

Jeffrey Seller, the acclaimed producer behind Hamilton and Rent, began his theater journey at age 13 in Michigan, performing in a local production titled Popcorn Pete. Though the play attracted few attendees, the experience sparked his desire to influence theatrical decisions. Seller questioned the choice of the script, a moment

Gala Triumph Marks Teatro Real’s Expanding Cultural Presence in the United States

SMGN Publishing June 6, 2025

Teatro Real’s New York Celebration Amplifies Its Global Artistic Vision Teatro Real’s III Gala at Carnegie Hall became a defining moment in the institution’s growing international presence. It inaugurated its 2025 U.S. Tour with an evening that highlighted artistic excellence, cultural diplomacy, and deep transatlantic collaboration. The event unfolded on

Lynch Syndrome Vaccine Enters New Phase as Scientists Test Cancer Prevention Before Tumors Form

Felipe Cardona August 9, 2026

For people born with Lynch syndrome, cancer prevention has traditionally meant surveillance: frequent colonoscopies, genetic counseling and, in some cases, preventive surgery. Now researchers are testing a different idea. A Lynch syndrome vaccine could train the immune system to recognize abnormal cells before they develop into colorectal cancer. The approach is still

US Pledges $1 Billion Security Package as Colombia’s New President Takes Office

Felipe Cardona August 8, 2026

The United States is moving quickly to deepen its relationship with Colombia’s new government, pledging a $1 billion security package as President Abelardo de la Espriella takes office and signals a sharp break from the policies of his predecessor, Gustavo Petro. The announcement places security, organized crime and migration at

Abelardo de la Espriella Takes Office as Colombia’s President with Tougher Anti-Drug Agenda

Sarah Olivella August 8, 2026

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Abelardo de la Espriella has taken office as Colombia’s new president, promising a tougher approach to security and the fight against drug trafficking organizations operating across the country. The new president, who has been described as an ally of the Donald Trump administration, has outlined an aggressive security strategy