Latest news with #MellonFoundation
Time Out
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Explore the fascinating NYC history of the sari at a new history exhibition opening this fall
Most people associate the sari with its South Asian origin. The New York Historical adds another layer to the garment's story by unearthing how the sari—and those who wear it—made New York City its home in a new exhibit opening soon. " The New York Sari: A Journey Through Tradition, Fashion, and Identity" opens September 12 and runs through April 2026. This exhibition traces the path of the sari from the Indian subcontinent to NYC, going from exotic object of trade to a tradition embraced by many communities. The sari holds many different identities; whether it be within consumer empires, dance and performance or explorations of gender and identity, museum officials explained. By way of trade, colonialism and migration, the sari has a worldwide history. It is often recognized by its draping style and is customizable in its pattern, fabric and color. The 21st century sari reflects regional tradition, specific cultural identity and personal expression. More often than not, the sari is worn in instances that reflect reinvention, such as rituals, milestones and womanhood. "'The New York Sari' illuminates how a centuries-old garment continues to shape identity, artistry and community-building across our city," Louise Mirrer, president of The New York Historical, said in a press release. "This exhibition is a celebration of the sari's complexity—not only as a textile but as a powerful cultural symbol shaped by trade, migration and personal expression. By centering voices from across the diaspora, we invite all New Yorkers to consider the rich histories woven into the fabric of everyday life and how a single garment can hold memory, spark dialogue and foster belonging in a city as dynamic as New York." This exhibition is a celebration of the sari's complexity. Expect to see over 50 objects, photographs and ephemera on display at the exhibition, including a bedcover or wall hanging (palampore), circa 1720-40; a 1984 photograph by Eugene Gordon capturing South Asian migrants; and Chitra Ganesh's 2018 linocut series "Sultana's Dream." The show was curated by Salonee Bhaman, Mellon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in Women's History and Public History, along with Anna Danziger Halperin, director of the Center for Women's History. This exhibition is truly for everyone, with families being able explore using a dedicated family guide and kid-friendly programming, including a special Family Day in the fall.
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Former Librarian of Congress, fired by Trump, vows to improve public information in new Mellon role
The former Librarian of Congress abruptly fired by President Donald Trump has found a new position with the country's largest philanthropic supporter of the arts. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation exclusively told The Associated Press that Carla Hayden will join the humanities grantmaker Monday as a senior fellow whose duties will include advising on efforts to advance public knowledge through libraries and archives. The year-long post places Hayden back at the center of the very debates over American culture that surrounded her dismissal. The White House ousted Hayden, the first woman and the first African American to hold the title, after she was accused of promoting 'radical' literary material by a conservative advocacy group seeking to squash Trump opposition within the federal government. Hayden acknowledged existing threats to 'the free exchange of ideas' in a statement to the AP. 'For generations, libraries, archives, and cultural institutions have been the guardians of knowledge and the catalysts for human progress,' she said. 'Together, we will work to strengthen the public knowledge ecosystem and ensure that the transformative power of information remains accessible to all.' Mellon's response to government funding cuts Meanwhile, the Mellon Foundation has been working to fill fiscal holes for arts communities reeling from federal cuts. Its $15 million 'emergency' fund aims to offset the $65 million that were supposed to go to the state humanities councils that organize book fairs, heritage festivals, theater productions and other programs fostering cultural engagement. The foundation has previously supported the American Library Association 's efforts to counter book bans, increase scholarships for librarians of color and boost adult literacy. Mellon President Elizabeth Alexander said the foundation is thrilled to welcome Hayden, 'a leader with an unshakable regard for the public good of the American people,' during such a 'crucial time.' Public knowledge institutions are navigating 'historic challenges and transformative advances," according to Mellon, including artificial intelligence, digital technologies, federal funding withdrawals and censorship efforts. Who is the Librarian of Congress and what is the job? The acting librarian is Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who represented Trump during his 2024 criminal trial. Responsibilities range from looking after collections to selecting the country's poet laureate to awarding the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction. The library also manages the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. Librarians serve 10-year terms, and Hayden's was scheduled to end in 2026. Her tenure included modernizing its reservoir of the nation's books and history. She oversaw new initiatives reaching out to rural and online audiences. Recent campaigns sought to improve accessibility for everyday visitors. And she arranged for Lizzo's 2022 performance where the artist played a crystal flute owned by President James Madison — among the Library's troves of artifacts. Before her confirmation in 2016, Hayden spent more than two decades as CEO of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library system and was president of the American Library Association from 2003 to 2004. A graduate of Roosevelt University and the University of Chicago, she is a member of the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP's philanthropy coverage, visit
Washington Post
07-07-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Former Librarian of Congress, fired by Trump, vows to improve public information in new Mellon role
NEW YORK — The former Librarian of Congress abruptly fired by President Donald Trump has found a new position with the country's largest philanthropic supporter of the arts. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation exclusively told The Associated Press that Carla Hayden will join the humanities grantmaker Monday as a senior fellow whose duties will include advising on efforts to advance public knowledge through libraries and archives.
Associated Press
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Former Librarian of Congress, fired by Trump, vows to improve public information in new Mellon role
NEW YORK (AP) — The former Librarian of Congress abruptly fired by President Donald Trump has found a new position with the country's largest philanthropic supporter of the arts. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation exclusively told The Associated Press that Carla Hayden will join the humanities grantmaker Monday as a senior fellow whose duties will include advising on efforts to advance public knowledge through libraries and archives. The year-long post places Hayden back at the center of the very debates over American culture that surrounded her dismissal. The White House ousted Hayden, the first woman and the first African American to hold the title, after she was accused of promoting 'radical' literary material by a conservative advocacy group seeking to squash Trump opposition within the federal government. Hayden acknowledged existing threats to 'the free exchange of ideas' in a statement to the AP. 'For generations, libraries, archives, and cultural institutions have been the guardians of knowledge and the catalysts for human progress,' she said. 'Together, we will work to strengthen the public knowledge ecosystem and ensure that the transformative power of information remains accessible to all.' Meanwhile, the Mellon Foundation has been working to fill fiscal holes for arts communities reeling from federal cuts. Its $15 million 'emergency' fund aims to offset the $65 million that were supposed to go to the state humanities councils that organize book fairs, heritage festivals, theater productions and other programs fostering cultural engagement. The foundation has previously supported the American Library Association's efforts to counter book bans, increase scholarships for librarians of color and boost adult literacy. Mellon President Elizabeth Alexander said the foundation is thrilled to welcome Hayden, 'a leader with an unshakable regard for the public good of the American people,' during such a 'crucial time.' Public knowledge institutions are navigating 'historic challenges and transformative advances,' according to Mellon, including artificial intelligence, digital technologies, federal funding withdrawals and censorship efforts. Hayden's tenure at the Library of Congress included modernizing its collection of the nation's books and history. Recent campaigns sought to improve accessibility for everyday visitors. She oversaw new initiatives reaching out to rural and online audiences. And it was Hayden who arranged for Lizzo's 2022 performance where the artist played a crystal flute owned by President James Madison — among the Library's troves of artifacts. Before her confirmation in 2016, Hayden spent more than two decades as CEO of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library system and was president of the American Library Association from 2003 to 2004. A graduate of Roosevelt University and the University of Chicago, she is a member of the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP's philanthropy coverage, visit
Time Magazine
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
Marcos Gonsalez
Marcos Gonsalez is a professor and author of three books, his most recent book being, In Theory, Darling: Searching for José Esteban Muñoz and the Queer Imagination. His writing and research on queer and trans Latinx aesthetics and culture has been supported by the Mellon Foundation, Ford Foundation, among others.
