How can history and traditions be reimagined for today’s audiences?
In Philadelphia, where modern democracy was codified 250 years ago, arts and cultural institutions have spent years preparing for an influx of visitors from around the globe in 2026. Many of these projects have been produced with Center funding and invite audiences to explore the American experience through nuanced interpretations, leaning into sometimes difficult lines of inquiry.
In our ongoing artist interview series, we illuminate the distinctive artistic practices, influences, and creative challenges of our Pew Fellows, who represent a diversity of perspectives and creative disciplines.
Former Mütter Museum director Robert Hicks and artist Matt Adams talk about why the history of the 1918–19 flu pandemic is relevant today and how they designed an exhibition about it.
Preservation director Libbie Hawes on the process of making historical sites meaningful to contemporary audiences.
Brooke Davis Anderson, an expert on self-taught and outsider artists, reflects on how embellished text is often found in these artists' works.
Julia Wolfe explains how she transformed the historical nuggets of her research into a 45-minute live performance by the 140-voice Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia.
Filmmaker and artist Miranda July answers talks about the 1990s feminist movement and what it meant to her.
Prior to the opening of his play Red-Eye to Havre de Grace, Phillips met with Rosemurgy, a 2012 Pew Fellow, to discuss the intersection of historical investigation and creative license.
Jan Ramirez, chief curator and director of collections for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, speaks about the interpretive planning process for the museum.