Grades 7-12
Social Studies
Arts Appreciation
Language Arts
In the woods of southwestern New Hampshire, there is a magical place where artists go and create. The MacDowell Colony, located in Peterborough, was founded by Marian MacDowell, the widow of composer Edward MacDowell, on the farm they purchased in 1896. The Colony consists of 32 one-room studio cottages where poets, playwrights, composers, painters, authors, sculptors and others artists come to stay in this 450-acre haven of quiet beauty to create their works away from the hubbub of everyday life. Through its natural surroundings, studios, living conditions, and simple rules, the Colony is a nurturing environment which inspires and enables artists to create great works of art.
Students viewing Living at the Colony will develop a sense of place by understanding how havens like the MacDowell Colony can enhance the creative process.
Direct the students to listen to the artists-in-residence describe how their stay at the Colony influenced their lives and their work.
Max Roach founded M'Boom, a jazz group made up of experimental percussionists.
Director Sam Pollard was captivated by the life story of drummer and activist Max Roach.
Max Roach was excited by the premise and promise of rap when it first hit the music scene.
New York City Ballet presents an evening of works by George Balanchine and Justin Peck.
Follow the 50-year career of First Amendment lawyer and legal expert Floyd Abrams.
Dan Abrams discusses how he admires his father for working on cases he may not agree with.
The company of New York City Ballet perform "Square Dance."
The company of New York City Ballet perform "The Times Are Racing."
Peter Mattei stars in Mozart's tragicomedy "Don Giovanni."
Experience the groundbreaking sounds of bebop pioneer and virtuoso composer Max Roach.
Experience the political and personal journey of California governor Jerry Brown.
Civil rights activist Cesar Chavez expressed an interest in music from an early age.
Daniel Valdez created a bolero song from the poem "Brown-Eyed Children of the Sun."
Singer Joan Baez was one of the peaceful protesters of the farmworkers’ movement.
Jim Cassell organized concerts as fundraisers for the farmworkers’ movement.
Follow the 50-year career of preeminent First Amendment attorney Floyd Abrams.
Peter Mattei, Adam Plachetka, and Alexander Tsymbalyuk perform the Act II aria.
See how Cesar Chavez and the farmworkers’ movement were influenced by music and the arts.
"We were making up, in a sense, First Amendment law as we went along," said Floyd Abrams.
Learn how the First Amendment protects independent spending by corporations in elections.
The New York Times sought the legal counsel after publishing the Pentagon Papers.
John Singleton came to Maya Angelou for guidance while working on "Poetic Justice."
Great Performances presents the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s summer night concert.
Follow the meteoric rise of firebrand politician and activist Bella Abzug.
Strauss’s grand Viennese comedy includes Lise Davidsen, Samantha Hankey and more.
Great Performances presents Leonard Bernstein’s Kaddish symphony.
While in Congress, Bella Abzug elevated feminist causes.
Bella Abzug went on the "Dinah!" show and questioned what was missing in our democracy.
A series of documentaries spotlighting key figures in American politics, law and music.
Lise Davidsen, Erin Morley, and Samantha Hankey sing an excerpt from the Act III trio.
Experience the political and personal journey of California governor Jerry Brown.
Jerry Brown runs for governor a second time and becomes the oldest sitting governor in CA.
While at the Governor's Mansion, Jerry Brown overheard his father talking politics.
Journalist Todd Purdum floated the idea of Jerry Brown running for governor.
Steve Martin discusses how David Geffen found Hollywood success through his friendships.
ElÄ«na GaranÄa Sings the Habanera with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performs a section of “Of A Spring Morningâ€
Great Performances presents the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s summer night concert.
Filmmaker Jonas Mekas describes the burgeoning art scene of New York City in the 1960s.
Nicholas Hankins paints a sleepy, slow moving mountain river; a real Bob Ross classic!
Bob Ross takes us to a uniquely-shaped mountain side chalet today.
Bob Ross gives us a glimpse at a forest through an oval window.
Bob Ross paints a golden field of sparse pines and other greenery..
Bob Ross captures the mood of a cold winter’s day.
Bob Ross demonstrates how to create a beautiful brown mountain scene.
DeafBlind people are creating a new language called Protactile, based solely on touch.
DeafBlind people are creating a new language called Protactile, based solely on touch.
DeafBlind people are creating a new language called Protactile, based solely on touch.
Conductor Marin Alsop discusses the history behind Leonard Bernstein's "Kaddish."