Power Players in Arts & Culture

Sean M. Decatur became president of the American Museum of Natural History in April 2023, after nearly a decade as president of Kenyon College. Prior to joining Kenyon College, Decatur was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Oberlin College, where he was also professor of chemistry and biochemistry. Decatur earned his bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College and his Ph.D. degree in biophysical chemistry from Stanford University.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
Behind our exhibits and dioramas (though not literally) are 170 scientists conducting research into the history of life on Earth, the universe, and the diversity of life and human culture. Today, that research is increasingly done across disciplines so we can more effectively study our big, complex challenges — climate change, biodiversity loss, emerging disease — and share that knowledge with a broad public. This is exciting work with many connections to our everyday lives and communities.

What advice do you have for the next generation of people determined to break into the world of arts and culture?
Become involved with your favorite museums or cultural institutions because it’s a pivotal time for the cultural sector and we need you! Cultural institutions are at an important moment right now as they reckon with their histories and past practices (often long overdue) and embrace change and new approaches. It’s a moment to work together to create an even more vibrant, responsive, and representative cultural landscape for the future and for us all.

What can New York policymakers do to support the continued development of arts and culture in the city?
Investment in infrastructure and city services does so much to support and build tourism, which in turn helps the cultural sector, particularly as we continue to recover from the pandemic. And of course, direct support to cultural institutions from both the private and public sectors demonstrates an understanding of our role not just in tourism but in education, workforce development, community building, and civic life.

If you could attend any event, show, or exhibit in the city tonight, what would it be and why?
When I was growing up in Ohio, I saw a documentary on African American dance featuring both the Dance Theater of Harlem and the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Those institutions stuck in my mind as iconic examples for New York arts: dynamic and vibrant demonstrations of artistic excellence and cultural pride. And now I’ll get to see both in person as a New Yorker!

Inge de Leeuw is an award-winning programmer and curator with over 10 years of experience in film programming, film acquisition, and talent development. She is the director of programming at Metrograph NYC and previously programmed for the International Film Festival Rotterdam focusing on United States and United Kingdom films. She’s curated for International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, Singapore International Film Festival, Rotterdam’s Het Nieuwe Instituut, Moscow’s the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, and São Paulo’s Kino Forum in, among others.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?

We have been collaborating with incredible filmmakers and artists to activate Metrograph’s lobby space. We have worked with the teams of Wong Ping, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Nguyễn Trinh Thi, and Robby Müller to special lobby projections that complement our in-theater and at home (SVOD) programming. On April 27, we’re opening an exciting installation by filmmaker and artist Garrett Bradley tied to her upcoming book and film series, “Garrett Bradley: Devotion,” here at Metrograph.

What advice do you have for the next generation of people determined to break into the world of arts and culture?
Don’t reduce something to a career, immerse yourselves in a range of artistic disciplines and look at both excellence and imperfection to shape your unique taste and voice. Connect with individuals and organizations from within and outside the field – collaborate with others, share your ideas to make them better, and be open to diverse perspectives. Above all, try new things, because I believe experimentation is the start of growth and innovation.

What can New York policymakers do to support the continued development of arts and culture in the city?
New York policymakers can support the city’s arts and culture scene by creating possibilities for artists to experiment and grow, even if it means allowing room for setbacks. This could be providing funding, establishing accessible venues for artists to showcase their work, and enabling them to sustain themselves through their art. By supporting the artists, policymakers can nurture artistic innovation and cultivate a healthy creative community that enriches the city’s cultural landscape.

If you could attend any event, show, or exhibit in the city tonight, what would it be and why?
I’m always excited to discover emerging artists from around the world. I enjoy exploring various artistic mediums, but tonight I would go to the screening of “Cu Li Never Cries” at the New Directors/New Films Festival, a fantastic platform to discover new talent and innovative works. Additionally, I’d visit the Whitney Biennial to explore a diverse curation across disciplines, looking forward to seeing both new pieces from familiar artists and discovering new talents.

Harris Dew serves as the senior vice president and general manager of the IFC Center, a state-of-the-art cinema in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village. A division of IFC Films, the venue is known as a mecca for cinephiles for nearly two decades for exhibiting the best in foreign, independent and classic film. He has been with IFC since joining as director of programs and promotions in 2005. Throughout his tenure, Dew has programmed celebrated first-run engagements, repertory film series and special events for the Greenwich Village-based theater. He was part of the founding team of DOC NYC — the annual documentary festival produced and presented by IFC Center, which is the biggest in the nation — and has also overseen the venue’s marketing and communications. Dew has worked in the arthouse field for more than 25 years, previously holding positions in film programming and publicity at Film Forum, The Museum of Modern Art, MPRM, The San Francisco International Film Festival and New Yorker Films, and has served on numerous selection committees and film festival juries.

Expert in the arts, David Doty, president of the National Arts Club May 2022-2024, has written on culture for such publications as Wired, taught at the New School, and lectured frequently including at the Cannes Festival of Creativity. For contributions to France, he was named Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite. A digital media leader, Doty advises clients including the Brand Safety Summit and Google, writes for Forbes, and is a sought-after speaker for global conferences.

Is there anything that you are working on that you wish people knew more about?
Besides my work in New York City, I collaborate with people in East Hampton to preserve that special place. It boasts an unparalleled magic of light and sky, with a long history of arts and culture because of its enchanting environment. I volunteer on a committee to identify land worth preserving, on the Suffolk County Planning Commission, and recently committed to promoting the Hamptons Festival of Music. And, shhh!, I’m working on a murder mystery.

What advice do you have for the next generation of people determined to break into the world of arts and culture?
Young people who discover their passion in the arts and culture should be full of energy and conviction – and joy. And never give up, along the rocky distance between dream and accomplishment which can be strewn with obstacles and naysayers. Forget them! The satisfaction in an existence as a fully formed self is life’s greatest reward. A word of wisdom: Never underestimate doors opened by others for you – they can surprise and delight in unexpected ways.

What can New York City policymakers do to support the continued development of arts and culture in the city?
New York City, which touts its Department of Cultural Affairs is the largest public funder of arts in the country, is truly the dynamic capital of the arts in the country. What policymakers can do is recognize that supporting the arts is more than giving funds broadly to institutions – and devote more resources to critically important “native” arts like Broadway theater and to individual artists by creatively providing the living and working spaces they need.

If you could attend any event, show, or exhibit, what would it be and why?
I imagine time-traveling to Warhol’s Factory on Union Square, eyes and ears focused on the wacky madness as New York explodes as the capital of contemporary art and attitude. Zipping closer to the present, I would head in a checker cab to the Metropolitan Opera for the opening of the Zeffirelli “Turandot.” And end up by pure magic visiting late at night this year’s Whitney  Biennial which always paces, delights or disappoints no matter!, art today.

Fran Drescher is serving her second term as national president of SAG-AFTRA, the largest entertainment union in the world. She led one of the longest strikes in SAG-AFTRA history, resulting in a victorious billion-dollar deal. Best known for her portrayal of the beloved Fran Fine in the hit television series “The Nanny,” which she created, wrote and executive produced. She is also a New York Times best-selling author and the founder of the nonprofit, Cancer Schmancer.

Prior to Gina Duncan’s Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) presidency she held leadership roles at the Sundance Institute, BAM Film (centering underrepresented voices in cinema), Jacob Burns Film Center, and had an Emmy-winning career at NFL Films. In 2023 Duncan was named a NY Woman of Impact by Variety. She was an arts leader selected for Harvard Business School’s 2022 executive program. Duncan serves on the board of NYC Tourism + Conventions and on the Gotham Awards Advisory Committee.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
We are hard at work on our spring benefit which celebrates trailblazers in the arts who have contributed significantly to BAM, Brooklyn, and the field. This year on May 1 we will honor Mikki Shepard and Solange Knowles; two incredible creators whose curatorial work fosters meaningful exchange between artists and audiences.

What advice do you have for the next generation of people determined to break into the world of arts and culture?
Artists need people who understand finance, marketing, communications, technology, and fundraising. I want to encourage young people who are interested in the arts to think about these behind-the-scenes roles. They may not be as visible, but they are crucial.

What can New York policymakers do to support the continued development of arts and culture in the city?
I feel grateful to live and work in a city where many of our council members and city officials understand that arts and culture is not a luxury, but a necessity. This is a critical time for the city. Investing in culture is investing in safe public spaces for New Yorkers of all ages and from all walks of life.

If you could attend any event, show, or exhibit in the city tonight, what would it be and why?
I love our film audience. I’ve never had an issue going to see a film on my own, but I particularly love seeing films at BAM because it always feels like I am seeing something with friends.

Adrienne Edwards serves as the Engell Speyer Family senior curator and associate director of curatorial programs at the Whitney Museum of American Art. She is a curator, scholar and writer. Edwards was co-curator of the 2022 Whitney Biennial with David Breslin. She authored the catalog for “Blackness in Abstraction,” a group exhibition she organized at Pace Gallery. ​​She previously served as curator of Performa and as curator at large for the Walker Art Center since 2016.

Scott Ellis is the interim artistic director of Roundabout Theatre Company. His Broadway credits include “Take Me Out”, “Tootsie”, “She Loves Me”, “On the Twentieth Century”, “You Can’t Take It With You”, “The Elephant Man”, “Curtains”, “1776”, “Company”, and “Steel Pier:. How Off-Broadway credits include “Streamers”, “And the World Goes ’Round”, and “The Waverly Gallery”. His television credits include: “Julia”, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, “The Closer”, “Weeds”, “30 Rock”, “Modern Family” and the upcoming Amazon series, “Etoile”.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
I’m excited for people to discover a new Amazon series I’m co-producing with the brilliant Amy Sherman Palladino and Dan Palladino, creators of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, who also created this show. “Etoile”, French for “star”, is set in the ballet worlds of Paris and New York. Not only is it funny (I mean, with the Palladinos how could it not be?), but it will truly inspire the next generation of aspiring dancers and choreographers.

What advice do you have for the next generation of people determined to break into the world of arts and culture?
I remember auditioning for the Goodman School of Drama right after high school and the dean of the school saying, “If you would be happy doing anything else you need to get up and leave the room.” I thought about leaving for a minute, but then I realized working in the arts was the only thing I wanted to do. You have to have the passion for it to persevere through the ups and downs.

What can New York policymakers do to support the continued development of arts and culture in the city?
New York policymakers can continue to fund and advocate for grants, awards, and other initiatives that make it possible for arts institutions to take risks. The pandemic hit many industries hard, and the arts sector is no exception. Support from the city and outside sources allow cultural organizations to take more chances on new work and emerging artists.

If you could attend any event, show, or exhibit in the city tonight, what would it be and why?
If I could attend any show in the city tonight it would be a middle school play, concert, or art exhibit. (And I swear I’m not just saying that because I have kids in middle school!) In a time when arts funding is being reduced or cut entirely from schools across the country it’s important to support the teachers and programs inspiring and training the next generation.

Susan Feldman is the founder and artistic director of St. Ann’s Warehouse, a performing arts center in the shell of an historic tobacco Warehouse in DUMBO. Known for international partnerships, innovative music and theater, Feldman has spearheaded the repurposing of “found” landmarks and spaces into cultural destinations over St. Ann’s 40-year-history.

Kamilah Forbes is the executive producer of The Apollo in addition to her work as an esteemed award-winning director and producer for theater and television. Ms. Forbes is a powerful leader, widely known for her ability and commitment to continue to highlight the ideas, complexities, and work of artists in the hip-hop community and beyond. She has received awards for both directing and producing, including the 2019 NBTF Larry Laon Hamlin Producer Award and an NAACP Image Award. Ms. Forbes’ directing credits include “Between the World and Me,” “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark,” “Blood Quilt” and “Sunset Baby.” This Howard University alum has also collaborated on “The Wiz Live,” “A Raisin in the Sun,” “Mountaintop,” and “Stick Fly” on Broadway. She has produced several works for television, most notably the seventh season of the Tony Award and Peabody Award-winning series Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry on HBO. Ms. Forbes’ most recent directorial work, “Between the World and Me,” aired as a special event on HBO and HBO Max in November 2020 to critical acclaim. Outside of her work at The Apollo, Ms. Forbes is slated to direct the Broadway premiere of “Soul Train,” alongside Questlove, Dominique Morrisseau, and Camille A. Brown.