High school art classes have had their own set of challenges during the pandemic. One Providence after-school program has come up with a creative solution to keep kids engaged in self-expression.
James Baumgartner
James produces and engineers Political Roundtable, The Weekly Catch and other special programming on The Public’s Radio. He also produces Artscape, the weekly arts & culture segment heard every Thursday. His favorite part of the job is talking with artists, musicians and other creators about their process and what inspires them.
James learned the basics of audio editing while studying music at Missouri State University. He went on to get a Master of Fine Arts in Electronic Art at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he created electronic music, video art and internet-based media art. While at RPI, James went on the air for the first time, hosting an electronic music show on Rensselaer's station, WRPI, but his love of radio came from staying up late so he could hear punk rock on KKFI, the community radio station in Kansas City, Missouri.
Posted inEpisode
‘I’m considering it life or death’: Cranston voters on what’s at stake in this election
With Election Day just over a week away, Cranston voters say the stakes in this election feel higher than ever. While there are significant local races for mayor and state representatives, many voters say they see their ballot as a way to shape the future of the country.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
PVDFest was cancelled this summer, but public artworks like ‘Three Sisters’ bring life to downtown Providence
For the past five summers, Providence has hosted PVD Fest, a multi-day street festival that fills the city with crowds watching performers from all over the world – musicians, dancers and even acrobats suspended in the air. All of that was cancelled this year.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
WaterFire Providence honors the thousand Rhode Islanders who have died from COVID-19
For years, WaterFire has been a regular ritual celebrating downtown Providence, a symbol of the city’s rebirth after decades of decline. In the pandemic, it’s also become a way of memorializing those who have died of COVID-19, through an installation called The Beacon of Hope. Artscape producer James Baumgartner talked with WaterFire’s Executive Artistic Director Barnaby Evans.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Artists turn plywood covered windows into community canvas
In the aftermath of looting last week, plywood windows in downtown Providence began to turn into art. A group of people gathered at the corner of Eddy and Fountain streets earlier this week to admire the impromptu outdoor gallery. The Public’s Radio Artscape producer James Baumgartner was there.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
After-school arts programs find creative ways to make art at a distance
How can you practice theater when you can’t be in the same room? How do you make art together when you can’t share a space? How do you have a violin lesson over a Zoom call? Three after-school arts groups in Providence are finding creative answers to those questions.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Whaling Museum offers ‘museum from home’ with resources for parents, youth and more
The New Bedford Whaling Museum has repurposed its website to provide a ‘museum from home’ experience. But there’s far more than what you would see if you could visit the museum right now.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape, Episode
newportFILM finds a way to bring film series to your home
While movie theaters and other large gatherings are restricted right now due to coronavirus, newportFILM has come up with a way to bring their documentary film series directly to the audience in their homes every week.
Posted inArticle, Arts And Culture
Lorenzo plays his Ukulele on the bike path
With many indoor spaces closed, people are heading outdoors as a relief from staying home all day. The Public’s Radio Production Director James Baumgartner was one of them and shares this postcard.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
How Has Your Artistic Practice Changed?
Our weekly Artscape segment is on hiatus during the coronavirus pandemic, but we still want to share artists’ stories with our audience.