American Cultural Diplomacy’s Cold War Origins

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American Cultural Diplomacy’s Origins. (Robert Gwathmey – 1946)

During the Cold War, the United States and Soviet Union were concerned with showcasing the art of their respective states to the world. Both feared that artist communities had sided with government rivals, and thus explored ways to repress artistic expression with state power. The story of how American artists, philanthropists, activists, and policymakers overcame Cold War fears to create programs like Arts In The Embassies and other early organs of U.S. cultural diplomacy is an understated but vital component of the success of American arts around the world. As the Cold War began, the United States was in...

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Program Theme Spotlight: Arts and Culture

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'Promoting Social Change through the Arts' IVLP participants improvising following a speed convening at Meridian

Music, dance, theater and other art forms have long been windows into understanding cultural differences and similarities, avenues for building empathy, promoting dialogue, and confronting social issues.  As the artist Alex Grey says, “When artists give form to revelation, their art can advance, deepen and potentially transform the consciousness of their community.” Continue  

Culture at the Center: Eritrean Community in D.C.

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A Feast of Eritrean Food (via Marco Verch on Flickr)

Every day around 5pm, people start pouring through a small heavy door on 18th Street in Adams Morgan.  Nearly hidden behind the long lines from the bars that surround it is the entrance to the Eritrean Civic and Cultural Center (ECCC).  Among the DMV’s considerable Eritrean population, the ECCC has emerged as one of the foremost meeting places for the community.  Continue  

Baseball Diplomacy: World Baseball Classic 2017

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The 2017 World Baseball Classic took place from March 6-22.

The Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy, with support from the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, is curating an exhibition highlighting U.S.-Japan baseball diplomacy that will debut in June. Baseball is arguably the most popular sport in Japan – the island nation is home to the largest professional baseball league outside of MLB in the United States. While the FIFA World Cup continues to be the most-watched sports event in the world, and professional basketball maintains its popularity overseas, baseball, “America’s pastime,” has been left relatively in the dark with regards to its international recognition. After being cut as an Olympic...

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“Una Experiencia Enriquecedora y para Compartir! por Linda Luque, una Participante Panameña en el Programa Edward R. Murrow para Periodistas

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Linda Luque en la Cámara de Representantes

The United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs permitió que como profesional de mi país Panamá pudiese participar en el International Visitor Leadership Program en el programa Edward R. Murrow para Periodistas “Los Medios Nuevos y Tradicionales en la Era Digital” brindándome así la apertura a la adquisición de nuevos conocimientos que se visualizan como los elementos necesarios para la proyección del periodismo como fuerza de unión entre las naciones. Continue