Willard Van Dyke, cinematographer and co-director of documentaries like "The City" and "The River," talks about 20th century American history and how it effected the arts. Using his documentaries and other artists' work, he explores how the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War changed American art and culture. He discusses Public Works of Art, war propaganda, and McCarthyism and their challenges for artists. Near the end of this interview, Van Dyke discusses the changes in modern still photography and documentaries as Americans forget history.

Photographer and author Walter Rosenblum, and dancer and choreographer Daniel Nagrin discuss art, life, photography, and dance. The two answer the question “What calls one to a life of art?” and other driving factors for artists such as political, social, and economic interests. Studs opens and closes this program by playing an untitled Armenian dance song.

The journalist, memoirist, and actor discusses her biography of the photographer Diane Arbus (the first American to have photographs displayed at the Venice Biennale).*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Discussing the book "Stephen Deutch, Photographer: From Paris to Chicago, 1932-1989" (published by the Tri-Quarterly) with photographer Stephen Deutch.

With his book, "Neighbors: A Forty-Year Portrait of an American Farm Community," Archie Lieberman first took the photos of Scales Mound, Illinois. Because he felt something was missing, Lieberman, followed the residents around and then he added stories to his book. More often than not, Lieberman found out that the people of Scales Mound felt it was their duty to take care of the land.