Culture Under Fire

In this episode of Culture Under Fire, Marjorie sits down with Laura Crawford Williams and Patricia Glass Schuman to discuss their experiences as artists and Arts Garage board members. Together, they reflect on how a creative life shapes leadership, why artist voices matter in governance, and what it means to support the future of an arts organization from both the studio and the boardroom.

Jeff Perlman, an artist and former policymaker, joins the conversation to discuss advocacy, censorship, and the critical role artistic freedom plays in sustaining democracy.

What keeps people coming back to Florida? Marjorie explores how arts and culture drive Florida’s $100B+ tourism economy. Milton Segarra shares how cultural programming strengthens destinations and keeps visitors coming back.

In this episode of Culture Under Fire, Marjorie welcomes internationally acclaimed vocalist, songwriter, and performer Ann Hampton Callaway for a conversation about the discipline and imagination behind a lasting career. From concert halls to intimate stages, Ann has built a body of work rooted in musical excellence, wit, and emotional connection. Together, they explore what it means to interpret...

Marjorie speaks with arts supporters, April Marshall and Richard Lowenthal, whose generosity helps bring bold programming to the stage and meaningful experiences to the community. This conversation looks beyond the gift itself to examine the values, relationships, and sense of purpose behind philanthropic support. Why do sponsors choose to invest in the arts right now? What makes a show, an organi...

In this episode of Culture Under Fire, Marjorie sits down with Arts Garage board members Steve G. Rappaport and Elise Rubenstein to explore the role of board leadership in shaping a cultural institution. Beyond meetings and oversight, board service calls for advocacy, responsibility, and a belief in what the arts can do for a community. Together, they discuss what drew them to this work, what the...

Marjorie sits down with artists Eric Perna and Jessica Kirby to explore how personal creativity connects to cultural identity and community. Listeners hear firsthand how individual artistry carries history and innovation into the public square.

In this episode of Culture Under Fire, we sit down with Micah Stinson, Arts Garage improvisation teacher, Karen King, Groove coach, and Diana Holm, who helps organize and support this work, to talk about the power of accessible, participatory arts experiences for older adults. Through movement, play, and self-expression, they help create welcoming spaces where people can connect, build confidence,...

Arts Garage volunteers do more than staff an event - they help keep the arts alive by making culture tangible, local, and human. In this episode of Culture Under Fire, we talk with the volunteers who keep the venue running and the community connected. Why do they give their time? What do they see behind the scenes that most patrons never notice? And right now, what makes someone decide the arts ar...

In this episode, Marjorie explores the personal journeys of major philanthropists, revealing the moments that sparked their giving and the transformative power their support unleashes in the arts.

Kelly Smallridge, President and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, joins Marjorie for a conversation about what makes a community magnetic. They highlight how arts, innovation, and collaboration build Palm Beach County’s sense of place and how business and culture can drive inclusive growth, as Kelly’s leadership continues to bring more growth to Palm Beach County.

Marjorie brings Charlene Farrington from the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum to explore how storytelling, archives, and art preserve who we are. From oral histories to contemporary exhibitions, they discuss how cultural institutions safeguard collective memory while making space for new narratives. Together, they reveal how the act of preservation itself can be a form of innovation—keeping heritage...

Marjorie sits down with a featured artist to explore how personal creativity connects to cultural identity and community. Listeners hear firsthand how individual artistry carries history and innovation into the public square.

Arts Garage's legendary open mic nights have launched local talents, sparked friendships, and given emerging voices a platform. Marjorie speaks with our own Open Mic Hosts, Mariza Brussolo and Desiree Reavis about how these nights nurture the next generation of artists and audiences.

This episode dives into how arts engagement impacts mental health, learning, and healing. From “the brain on art” to community therapy programs, Marjorie explores how creativity is being used as medicine.

Marjorie sits down with current legislator, Representative Anna Eskamani, to explore what real arts support looks like in practice - not just applause, but in policy. Rep. Eskamani and Marjorie reveal how public funding for the arts expands opportunity, strengthens economies and ensures culture remains a public good.

Economic development leaders are increasingly looking to artists to spark innovation and renewal. Marjorie speaks with Steven Anthony, Director of Economic Development for Miami Beach, about how the arts are revitalizing South Florida neighborhoods—and what happens when city planners see creatives as catalysts, not afterthoughts.

Marjorie highlights how arts education transforms young lives—and why it matters for our future workforce and civic life. Educators and local artists share how music, theatre, and visual arts programs build confidence, empathy, and resilience.

What’s the ROI of investing in culture? Dave Lawrence joins Marjorie to discuss cultural tourism, county-level support, and the crucial role arts organizations play in making a place worth visiting—and living in. Together, they explore the link between public investment and lasting impact.

Art is not just beauty—it’s big business. This episode dives into the data and national perspective on how the arts drive economic development. Featuring insights from Americans for the Arts Action Fund, Marjorie unpacks how creative industries fuel local economies, create jobs, and deserve a seat at the policy table.

In this debut episode of Culture Under Fire, host Marjorie Waldo kicks off the series with a deeply personal and timely conversation about what’s at risk when the arts are ignored, defunded, or dismissed. Joined by Arts Garage team members Naja Hardmon (Art Curator), Seth Weaver (Marketing Director), and Michelle Diaz (Artistic Director of Theatre), she unpacks the “why” behind the mic: the missio...

How does creativity drive change in people, in neighborhoods, in nations? How do the arts help communities thrive — not just survive? Hosted by visionary arts leader Marjorie Waldo and powered by Arts Garage, Culture Under Fire makes the case for the undeniable power of Art & Culture to shape lives, build communities, and drive local and global economies. Each episode features real stories, in...