ArtsVisual Arts

The Art Career

Emily McElwreath

The Art Career is a space breaking barriers by letting you sit in on candid, straightforward conversations with leaders in visual arts, writing, music, theater and film. Join New York based advisor, curator, and overall artist advocate, Emily McElwreath, for authentic conversations with icons of our generation like #1 New York Times best selling author Cheryl Strayed, senior art critic for New York Magazine, Jerry Saltz, and world renowned artist, Marilyn Minter. Emily dives deep into topics like self development, career trajectories, mental health, and social justice.

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August 20 · 53 min
Jerry Saltz at NYU: Art, Criticism & the Creative Life
For The Art Career’s New York season, we return to a conversation with one of the city’s most recognizable voices on art and culture: Jerry Saltz. Recorded live at New York University in March 2023, Emily McElwreath sits down with the Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic and longtime senior art critic for New York Magazine for a wide-ranging conversation about art, criticism, ambition, failure, success, and what it takes to sustain a creative life. Saltz has spent decades looking at, writing about, and arguing for art—developing a voice that has made contemporary art accessible to audiences far beyond the traditional art world. As The Art Career explores the people and institutions that have shaped New York’s cultural life, this is a conversation we wanted to bring back. Recorded live at NYU in New York City. Follow The Art Career on Instagram and YouTube for more from the New York season.
August 13 · 24 min
The Juilliard School: Inside the Dance Division with Melissa Toogood
Episode 3 of The Art Career’s New York season goes inside one of the world’s most influential training grounds for artists: The Juilliard School. What does it mean to train the next generation of dancers at a moment when the field—and the possibilities of a life in dance—continue to evolve? Melissa Toogood is the Dean and Director of Juilliard’s Dance Division, as well as an acclaimed dancer, educator, and former member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. Her career has moved between performance, collaboration, teaching, and artistic leadership, giving her a rare perspective on what it takes to build—and sustain—a life in dance. Emily sits down with Melissa at Juilliard to discuss the realities of a professional dance career, the role of rigorous training, how young dancers develop their own artistic voices, and what it means to lead one of the most respected dance programs in the world. Then, the episode moves from the classroom to the stage. Emily joins Juilliard’s dancers behind the scenes as they prepare to perform Les Élémens at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, featuring world-premiere choreography for Juilliard dancers by Pam Tanowitz. In this episode, Emily and Melissa discuss: What Juilliard is preparing young dancers for today The transition from student to working artist Developing individuality within rigorous technical training Melissa’s own path from performer to educator and institutional leader What young artists need to understand about building sustainable creative careers The discipline, collaboration, and work audiences rarely see behind a finished performance Recorded at The Juilliard School in New York City, with behind-the-scenes access to Juilliard Dance at Carnegie Hall. The Juilliard School https://www.juilliard.edu Juilliard Dance Division https://www.juilliard.edu/dance Melissa Toogood https://www.juilliard.edu/dance/faculty/toogood-melissa Carnegie Hall https://www.carnegiehall.org Featuring Melissa Toogood, Dean and Director of the Dance Division at The Juilliard School Hosted by Emily McElwreath Recorded at The Juilliard School and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City Featuring behind-the-scenes access to Juilliard Dance and Juilliard in rehearsal for Les Élémens, featuring world-premiere choreography for Juilliard dancers by Pam Tanowitz Special thanks to The Juilliard School, the Juilliard Dance Division, and Carnegie Hall The Art Career is produced by McElwreath Art Advisory.
August 6 · 39 min
ArtBridge NYC: Transforming Public Space
Episode Two of The Art Career’s New York season shows you how can public art transform an entire neighborhood — and what happens when artists become part of the everyday lives of the communities around them? Stephen Pierson is the Executive Director of ArtBridge, a nonprofit organization that transforms construction fencing, scaffolding, and underutilized urban spaces into large-scale public art. Joining the conversation are artists Kat Lam and Blanka Amezkua, whose public installations explore ideas of place, identity, community, and the ways art can reshape our shared urban landscape. In this episode, Emily walks through Lower Manhattan with Stephen, Kat Lam, and Blanka, visiting ArtBridge installations and exploring how public art can make cities more thoughtful, more inclusive, and more connected. In this episode, Emily, Stephen, Kat Lam, and Blanka discuss: Why public art belongs in everyday life—not just inside museums and galleries How ArtBridge transforms construction sites into opportunities for artists and communities What it means to create artwork for the public rather than a traditional exhibition space How artists engage with the neighborhoods where their work is installed The importance of amplifying local voices through public art Why New York remains one of the world’s most dynamic places for artistic experimentation The Art Career’s New York season takes you inside the rooms, institutions, and public spaces where the city’s culture takes shape — new episodes weekly. Follow ArtBridge: Instagram — @artbridge Website — art-bridge.org Follow The Art Career: Instagram — @theartcareer YouTube — The Art Career Website — theartcareer.com Follow Emily McElwreath: Instagram — @emily.mcelwreathart If this conversation resonates, follow the show and leave a rating — it’s the single best way to help us bring you more of the people shaping culture. Sound: Josh Craig Creative Director: Nina Yankovich
July 30 · 41 min
Shanta Thake: Inside Lincoln Center
Episode One of The Art Career's New York season begins at the top: Lincoln Center. What does it take to lead the artistic vision of the world's most iconic performing arts institution — and why does she believe the arts are one of the only tools we have left to truly see one another? Shanta Thake is the Chief Artistic Officer of Lincoln Center, where she shapes the artistic direction of one of the great cultural institutions in the world. Before Lincoln Center, she spent more than a decade at The Public Theater, where she directed the legendary Joe's Pub and championed some of the most exciting voices in American performance. She is one of the most influential figures deciding what New York — and the country — gets to see on its stages. In this episode, Emily and Shanta discuss: Why the performing arts are "one of the only tools we have to move us forward" What a Chief Artistic Officer actually does — and how those decisions get made Leading Lincoln Center into its next era, and who these stages are really for The path from downtown stages to the world's biggest cultural institution Why seeing one another — in person, in a room — matters more than ever Advice for the next generation building a life in the arts The Art Career's New York season takes you inside the rooms where the city's culture takes shape — new episodes weekly. Follow Shanta Thake: Instagram — @shantourage Follow Lincoln Center: Instagram — @lincolncenter Website — lincolncenter.org Follow The Art Career: Instagram — @theartcareer YouTube — The Art Career Website — theartcareer.com Follow Emily McElwreath: Instagram — @emily.mcelwreathart If this conversation resonates, follow the show and leave a rating — it's the single best way to help us bring you more of the people shaping culture. Sound: Josh Craig Creative Director: Nina Yankovich
June 25 · 42 min
Inside SCAD Museum of Art with Chief Curator Daniel S. Palmer
This week on The Art Career, Emily McElwreath sits down with Daniel S. Palmer, Chief Curator of the SCAD Museum of Art. Located in Savannah, Georgia, the SCAD Museum of Art has emerged as one of the most dynamic contemporary art institutions in the United States, presenting ambitious exhibitions by leading international artists while serving as an educational resource for students, artists, and the broader public. In this conversation, Daniel discusses his path to curatorial leadership, the evolving role of museums in contemporary culture, and the challenges and opportunities facing institutions today. Together, Emily and Daniel explore exhibition-making, artist support, audience engagement, and what it takes to build a museum program that is both academically rigorous and publicly accessible. Whether you’re an artist, curator, student, collector, or simply interested in how cultural institutions operate behind the scenes, this episode offers an insightful look at the people and ideas shaping contemporary art today. About Daniel S. Palmer Daniel S. Palmer is Chief Curator of the SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia. Prior to joining SCAD, he served as Curator at the Public Art Fund in New York, where he organized numerous exhibitions and public art projects with internationally recognized artists. Throughout his career, Palmer has worked across museums, public art initiatives, and academic institutions, developing exhibitions that explore contemporary artistic practice and engage broad audiences. At SCAD Museum of Art, he oversees a dynamic exhibition program featuring leading emerging and established artists from around the world, while helping to shape the museum’s role as both a cultural destination and educational resource. Palmer has written extensively on contemporary art and has contributed essays and scholarship to numerous exhibition catalogs and publications. His curatorial work reflects a commitment to supporting artists, fostering critical dialogue, and expanding access to contemporary art through innovative exhibition-making and public engagement. The Art Career is a cultural media platform exploring how creative careers are built across disciplines, places, and communities. Hosted by Emily McElwreath, the podcast features candid conversations with artists, curators, critics, writers, performers, and cultural leaders shaping contemporary creative life. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.
June 18 · 56 min
Carroll Dunham on Art, Marriage & Fatherhood
This week, we’re revisiting a conversation with Carroll Dunham recorded at his home in Connecticut. Over the last four decades, Dunham has established himself as one of the most important painters working today, with major exhibitions at institutions including the New Museum, Museum Ludwig, Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, and the National Museum in Oslo, among many others. What has stayed with us the most about this conversation is that, over the years, The Art Career has often spoken with women artists about motherhood and the ways family life intersects with creative practice. This was one of the first times Emily had the opportunity to explore many of those same questions through the lens of a male artist. Alongside a discussion of painting and career longevity, Emily and Carroll spoke about fatherhood, marriage, partnership, and the realities of building a creative life over decades. A thoughtful conversation that feels just as relevant today as when it was first recorded. Carroll Dunham lives and works in New York and Connecticut. His most recent solo exhibitions include National Museum, Oslo, 2023; Kunsthalle, Dusseldorf, and Sprengel Museum, Hannover, 2019–2020. His work has been the subject of numerous solo exhibitions at international institutions including Museum Ludwig, Cologne; Millesgården, Stockholm; Drammens Museum, Drammen; a mid-career retrospective was held at the New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York, in 2002. Dunham has also been included in notable group exhibitions including multiple Whitney Biennials and SITE Santa Fe; and at institutions including MAMCO, Geneva; the Museum of Modern Art, New York; Museu Picasso, Barcelona; and The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BetterHelp.com/TAC ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠today and get 10% off your first month. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theartcareer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theartcareer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emilymcelwreath_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music: Chase Johnson Editing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@benjamin.galloway
June 4 · 59 min
Emily Liebert: The Cleveland Museum of Art
What role should museums play in public life today? In this episode of The Art Career, Emily McElwreath visits the Cleveland Museum of Art for a conversation with Emily Liebert, Lauren Rich Fine Curator of Contemporary Art. Together, they discuss the evolving role of museums in contemporary culture, the responsibilities of curatorial practice, and how institutions balance scholarship with accessibility while serving increasingly diverse audiences. The conversation also explores Martin Puryear: Nexus, a major exhibition curated by Liebert that remains on view through August. Spanning more than six decades of Puryear’s career, the exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to engage deeply with one of the most important artists working today. Throughout the episode, Liebert reflects on exhibition-making, audience engagement, and the importance of creating meaningful connections between art and the public. A particular focus of the conversation is the Cleveland Museum of Art’s longstanding commitment to accessibility. Open to the public free of charge, the museum serves as a model for how cultural institutions can make world-class art available to broad audiences. Topics include: • The role of museums in public life today • Curatorial practice and exhibition development • Building exhibitions for diverse audiences • Balancing scholarship with accessibility • Martin Puryear: Nexus • Public access and free museum admission • The future of cultural institutions Recorded at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Follow Emily Liebert: https://www.instagram.com/emilyliebert1/ Follow CMA: https://www.instagram.com/clevelandmuseumofart/ Follow Emily McElwreath on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emilymcelwreath_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theartcareer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more episodes and resources If you loved this episode, tag ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theartcareer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and share your favorite insight on IG stories! Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more creatives discover the show. Sound Engineer and Production: Josh Craig Creative Direction: Nina Yankovic
March 12 · 49 min
Mr. StarCity: Big Bless
Brooklyn artist Mr. StarCity joins The Art Career Podcast. A multidisciplinary artist working across painting, sculpture, poetry, music, and film, Mr. StarCity’s practice centers on expressive figurative painting and deeply personal storytelling. His works often emerge from poetry and lived experience, exploring themes of love, healing, and the complexities of the human condition. Originally gaining recognition through murals and public works, his practice has expanded into a powerful studio output across canvas and mixed media, with paintings that feel both intimate and mythic in their emotional intensity. His work has been exhibited internationally and featured in publications including Juxtapoz, Hyperallergic, InStyle, and Vogue. Follow Mr. StarCity: https://www.instagram.com/mrstarcity/ Follow Emily McElwreath on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emilymcelwreath_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theartcareer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more episodes and resources If you loved this episode, tag ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theartcareer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and share your favorite insight on IG stories! Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more creatives discover the show. Sound Engineer and Production: Josh Craig Creative Direction: Nina Yankovic
March 6 · 1 hr 20 min
Melissa Auf der Maur: From the Archive
With Melissa Auf der Maur’s new memoir coming out this month, we’re revisiting our conversation on the podcast. From Hole and Smashing Pumpkins to founding Basilica Hudson, Melissa reflects on art, music, and the strange alchemy of the ’90s music world. NYT Article Pre-Order memoir: https://www.xmadmx.com/#book Follow Emily McElwreath on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emilymcelwreath_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theartcareer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more episodes and resources If you loved this episode, tag ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theartcareer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and share your favorite insight on IG stories! Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more creatives discover the show. Sound Engineer and Production: Josh Craig Creative Direction: Nina Yankovic
February 26 · 57 min
Nick Thune: Comedian, Fine Artist, Musician, Actor
This week on The Art Career Podcast, Emily sit's down with Nick Thune. Known for his sharp, offbeat humor and unique narrative voice, Thune has built a loyal following through multiple stand-up specials, late-night appearances on The Tonight Show, Conan, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, as well as roles in film and television including Dave Made a Maze, Knocked Up, Venom, FX’s Legit, and Netflix’s Love. In recent years, Thune has expanded his creative practice into the visual arts, producing a body of work that reflects the same irreverent, observational tone that defines his comedy. His fine art blends text, minimal forms, and conceptual humor to explore themes of identity, absurdity, and human contradiction. His visual work debuted at SPRING/BREAK Art Show and continues to evolve across painting, mixed media, and print editions. In this conversation, we discuss how his visual practice operates alongside his work in comedy, what it means to pursue multiple creative disciplines with equal seriousness, and how both the studio and the stage have shaped his approach to storytelling. We also talk about sobriety, fatherhood, sustainability, and building a life that can hold both the studio and the stage. Follow Nick Nick's Website Nick's Limited Edition Print Follow Emily McElwreath on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emilymcelwreath_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theartcareer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more episodes and resources If you loved this episode, tag ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theartcareer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and share your favorite insight on IG stories! Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more creatives discover the show. Sound Engineer and Production: Josh Craig Creative Direction: Nina Yankovic
February 19 · 49 min
Rachel Fine: Cultural Leadership at Yale Schwarzman Center
This week on The Art Career Podcast, Emily McElwreath speaks with Rachel Fine, Executive Director of Yale Schwarzman Center. Recorded on-site at Yale, this conversation explores what it means to build cultural infrastructure within a major institution today — from developing artistic partnerships and stewarding creative communities to expanding access and engagement across disciplines. Together, they discuss Rachel’s leadership journey from the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts to Yale, and the evolving role of university-based cultural centers as spaces where art, performance, wellness, and community converge. As Yale Schwarzman Center continues to grow as a commons for university life and a hub for creative exchange, this episode offers insight into how institutional vision can shape meaningful, artist-centered programming at scale. About Rachel Fine: Rachel Fine joined Yale Schwarzman Center as Executive Director in October 2022, following her tenure as Executive Director and CEO of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles. There, she played a key role in establishing The Wallis as a major cultural institution, building dynamic artistic partnerships, advancing initiatives around equity and access, and leading a $55 million campaign that more than doubled the organization’s endowment. A concert pianist by training, Fine studied at the Eastman School of Music and the University of California, Irvine, and later attended Yale for graduate work in musicology. Prior to The Wallis, she served as Executive Director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and Los Angeles Children’s Chorus. Her broader leadership experience includes roles with the Aspen Music Festival, Santa Fe Opera, The Juilliard School, and the DeVos Institute of Arts Management. About Yale Schwarzman Center: Yale Schwarzman Center is a commons for university life where art, culinary, and wellness experiences converge to build bridges, nurture creativity, and foster kinship and belonging. Through unexpected connections and collaborations, and inspired by the Center's architecture, artists and members of the Yale and New Haven communities engage with creativity through programming that ranges from the intimate to the grand. Follow Yale Schwarzman Center: HERE Website: https://schwarzman.yale.edu Follow Emily McElwreath on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emilymcelwreath_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theartcareer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more episodes and resources If you loved this episode, tag ⁠⁠⁠⁠@theartcareer ⁠⁠⁠⁠and share your favorite insight on IG stories! Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more creatives discover the show. Sound Engineer and Production: Josh Craig Creative Direction: Nina Yankovic
February 12 · 56 min
Dr. Ace Lehner: Trans Visual Culture and the Politics of Representation
On Season 8, episode 4 of The Art Career Podcast, Emily sits down with Dr. Ace Lehner to discuss trans visual culture, the politics of representation, and so much more Their conversation explores how images construct identity, how institutions shape visibility, and what it means to challenge dominant frameworks of seeing. As both a scholar and an artist, Ace brings depth, clarity, and lived insight to questions that sit at the center of contemporary culture. Emily and Ace talk about photography, authorship, power, and the responsibility that comes with representation - and why rewriting visual narratives isn’t just theoretical, but necessary. Recorded at: Creative Legion in Hudson, NY Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Dr. Ace Lehner is an interdisciplinary visual culture scholar and artist whose work focuses on trans and queer visual culture, race and representation, photography, performance, and modern and contemporary art. Their writing has appeared in leading journals including Art Journal, Visual Studies, Cultural Politics, and Media-N, among others. Lehner recently guest edited the first-ever issue of Art Journal dedicated to trans visual culture and is currently developing a book project, Trans Representations: Decolonizing Visual Theory in Contemporary Photography, based on their award-winning dissertation research. Lehner’s artistic practice spans photography, installation, and performance, examining the relationship between representation and identity. Their project Barbershop: The Art of Queer Failure has been presented in solo exhibitions at Brewer Harris projects and Practice Gallery, as well as in group exhibitions at the Fleming Museum and the Wassaic Project with additional exhibitions at institutions, including the International Center of Photography, El Museo del Barrio, and SOMArts. A recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, including the College Art Association Professional Development Fellowship, Lehner has delivered public talks and organized conference panels internationally. They have worked in museum education for over two decades and pioneered the first Queer Tours at the Museum of Modern Art. Lehner is currently a Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Art and Art History at the University of Vermont. Dr Ace Lehner's Website: http://ace-lehner.com Follow Ace: https://www.instagram.com/ace_lehner_projects Follow Emily McElwreath on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@emilymcelwreath_art⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠theartcareer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more episodes and resources If you loved this episode, tag ⁠⁠⁠@theartcareer ⁠⁠⁠and share your favorite insight on IG stories! Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more creatives discover the show. Sound Engineer and Production: Josh Craig Creative Direction: Nina Yankovic
February 5 · 1 hr 1 min
Blake Cooper Griffin: A Life Re-Written
About Blake Cooper Griffin: Blake Cooper Griffin is an actor, advocate, speaker, and entrepreneur whose career bridges film, television, and public life. Known for emotionally layered performances and wide-ranging screen roles, he has worked opposite Academy Award winners and led projects across genres, from prestige drama to thriller and comedy. Off-screen, he is the founder of Brainworks Team, an education and mentorship company helping students nationwide build academic strength and self-authorship. A national surrogate for three U.S. presidential campaigns, Griffin has spoken widely on identity, democracy, and the power of personal reinvention. His work and commentary have appeared in outlets including The Washington Post, NPR, and HuffPost. The Story of You: A Life Rewritten is his nonfiction debut. About the book: Part memoir, part guidebook-for anyone standing in the middle of change, when the old version of life no longer fits and the next chapter remains uncertain. Actor and advocate Blake Cooper Griffin traces the quiet wreckage-and unexpected grace-of personal reinvention. From a Southern childhood marked by silence and shame to building a screen career in Hollywood and speaking on national political stages, he reveals what it took to stop performing a version of his life-and start truly living it. Blending emotional depth with practical clarity, The Story of You invites readers to reframe the narratives that have held them back. Each chapter delivers cinematic storytelling, hard-earned insight, and a re-authoring question designed to move readers forward-not with perfection but with power. This isn't about having the answers. The Story of You is about reclaiming the pen, stepping into the unknown, and daring to write what comes next-with intention, clarity, and heart. Pre-order The Story of You: A Life Re-Written: HERE Follow Blake: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/blakecoopergriffin/?hl=en Follow Emily McElwreath on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@emilymcelwreath_art⁠⁠⁠ Visit ⁠⁠⁠theartcareer.com⁠⁠⁠ for more episodes and resources If you loved this episode, tag ⁠⁠@theartcareer ⁠⁠and share your favorite insight on IG stories! Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more creatives discover the show. Sound Engineer and Production: Josh Craig Creative Direction: Nina Yankovic
S8 · E1
January 29 · 56 min
Rachel Dratch: Creative Longevity
On Season 8, Episode 3 of The Art Career Podcast, Emily sits down with Rachel Dratch. Rachel Dratch ⁠is an American actress, comedian, writer, and podcast host whose career spans stage, television, film, and audio storytelling. Most recently, she has been cast as the narrator in Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, continuing her long-standing relationship with live performance and theater. Dratch rose to wide prominence as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1999 to 2006, where her range of unforgettable characters — most notably Debbie Downer — became cultural touchstones in sketch comedy. She has since returned frequently as a guest performer, including recent appearances portraying Senator Amy Klobuchar. Beyond SNL, Dratch has appeared in beloved television comedies including 30 Rock, Broad City, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, as well as films such as Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, Click, and Plan B. In 2022, she made her Broadway debut in POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play. She is also the author of Girl Walks into a Bar…, a memoir that blends humor with candid reflection on career, resilience, and reinvention. Known for her sharp wit, improvisational brilliance, and enduring curiosity, Dratch continues to work across mediums while remaining deeply connected to the craft. Follow Rachel: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/raedratch/?hl=en Woo Woo Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/woo-woo-with-rachel-dratch/id1710044536 Purchase Tickets to Rocky Horror Picture Show: HERE Follow Emily McElwreath on Instagram: ⁠⁠@emilymcelwreath_art⁠⁠ Visit ⁠⁠theartcareer.com⁠⁠ for more episodes and resources If you loved this episode, tag ⁠@theartcareer ⁠and share your favorite insight on IG stories! Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more creatives discover the show. Sound Engineer and Production: Josh Craig Creative Direction: Nina Yankovic
January 22 · 54 min
Sarah Ortegon: Ancestral Knowledge, Performance, and Contemporary Indigenous Life
In Season 8, Episode 2 of The Art Career Podcast, Emily sits down with Sarah Ortegon. Sarah is an Eastern Shoshone–enrolled and Northern Arapaho visual artist, dancer, and performer whose work bridges ancestral knowledge, land, and contemporary Indigenous life. Raised between Denver and the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, her practice spans painting, beadwork on hide, mixed media, and performance—grounded in memory, resilience, and cultural continuity. In 2013, she was crowned Miss Native American USA, a moment that led to years of international jingle dress performances and a deepened commitment to bringing Indigenous presence into contemporary cultural spaces. Many first encountered Sarah through She Never Dances Alone (2019), a multi-channel video by Jeffrey Gibson, first presented on the screens of Times Square and later traveling internationally, including live performances at the Venice Biennale. Centering the jingle dress dance—a powwow dance traditionally performed by women to call upon ancestors for strength, healing, and protection—the work amplifies Indigenous visibility on a global stage. In this episode, we talk about ancestral knowledge, contemporary Indigenous life, motherhood, and performance—how these threads intersect, and what it means to carry cultural continuity forward with intention and care. This conversation is part of a broader effort to support and elevate Indigenous women artists and to make space for their voices, practices, and leadership within contemporary art. Follow Sara: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nonookeiht_bee3eisei/?hl=en Follow Emily McElwreath on Instagram: ⁠⁠@emilymcelwreath_art⁠⁠ Visit ⁠⁠theartcareer.com⁠⁠ for more episodes and resources If you loved this episode, tag ⁠@theartcareer ⁠and share your favorite insight on IG stories! Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more creatives discover the show. Sound Engineer and Production: Josh Craig Creative Direction: Nina Yankovic
S8 · E1
January 15 · 1 hr 1 min
Johnny Cirillo: Watching New York
In Season 8, Episode 1 of The Art Career Podcast, Emily sits down with Johnny Cirillo, the photographer and visual storyteller behind Watching New York— one of the most influential portrait projects documenting contemporary life in the city today. Born in Jackson Heights, Queens, Johnny developed an early passion for photography as a teenager on Long Island, after his mother gave him his first 35mm camera and shared her own black-and-white photographs from the 1960s. What began as an obsession quickly became a practice: rolling his own film, building a darkroom, and photographing friends as he explored the medium from the inside out. Through Watching New York, Johnny has built and connected a global community of more than 2 million people united by a shared love for New York — its people, its fashion, and its everyday magic. His work is rooted in attention and intimacy, capturing fleeting moments that feel both deeply personal and collectively recognizable. Johnny has collaborated with brands including Airbnb, Gucci, AMI Paris, Balenciaga, GQ, Burberry, Adidas, Away, and Free People, and has interviewed artists and cultural figures such as Halsey, Ethan Hawke, Colman Domingo, Charli XCX, Ashley Graham, and Lizzo. In this conversation, they explore: His early relationship to photography and image-making How Watching New York evolved into a cultural archive The ethics of looking, access, and photographing strangers Building trust and community through portraiture Collaborating with major brands while maintaining artistic integrity This episode is a thoughtful reflection on observation, authorship, and the quiet power of paying attention — essential listening for anyone interested in photography, cultural memory, and the art of seeing. Follow Johnny: https://www.instagram.com/watchingnewyork/?hl=en Purchase: Watching New York: Street Style A to Z: https://www.amazon.com/Watching-New-York-Street-Style/dp/1419769944 Follow Emily McElwreath on Instagram: ⁠@emilymcelwreath_art⁠ Visit ⁠theartcareer.com⁠ for more episodes and resources If you loved this episode, tag @theartcareer and share your favorite insight on IG stories! Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more creatives discover the show. Sound Engineer and Production: Josh Craig Creative Direction: Nina Yankovic
May 8, 2025 · 57 min
Jeffrey Seller - Producing Broadway History: From Rent to Hamilton (and the Memoir Behind It)
In this landmark episode, Emily sits down with one of the most influential figures in modern theater—Jeffrey Seller, the Broadway producer behind Rent, Hamilton, Avenue Q, and In the Heights. Recorded in Jeffrey’s own home, this intimate and revealing conversation explores: His early creative influences and the making of Rent What it takes to recognize and develop groundbreaking work The emotional and financial risks behind Hamilton His revolutionary $20 ticket lottery and commitment to accessibility How he balances artistic vision with the demands of production Advice for creatives building sustainable, impactful careers In celebration of the release of his new memoir Theater Kid, Jeffrey opens up about the real moments behind the musicals that changed Broadway. Jeffrey is one of the most successful American producers of our time. His shows have won 22 Tony Awards, earned over $4.6 billion, and reached more than 43 million attendees. He’s the only producer in history to mount two Pulitzer Prize–winning musicals—and he revolutionized theater accessibility with Rent’s $20 ticket lottery. Order his memoir Theater Kid: https://www.amazon.com/Theater-Kid-Broadway-Jeffrey-Seller/dp/1668064189 With a legacy that is not just extraordinary—but transformational—this episode is essential listening for anyone interested in storytelling, producing, or creating at the highest level. Jeffrey Seller NYT article: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/theater/jeffrey-seller-theater-kid-hamilton-memoir.html Follow Emily on Instagram: @emilymcelwreath_art Visit theartcareer.com for more episodes and resources If you loved this episode, tag @theartcareer and share your favorite insight on IG stories! Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more creatives discover the show.
Apr 10, 2025 · 1 hr 24 min
Melissa Auf der Maur: Rock Icon and Cultural Visionary
In this episode of The Art Career, Emily sits down with the incomparable Melissa Auf der Maur — musician, visual artist, filmmaker, and co-founder of the multidisciplinary arts center Basilica Hudson. Known for her role as the bass player in iconic 1990s rock bands Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins, Melissa’s journey spans far beyond the stage. From self-producing solo albums to launching a nationally recognized cultural venue in Hudson, NY, Melissa has spent the past two decades creating space — literally and metaphorically — for artists to gather, experiment, and thrive. This conversation covers the full spectrum of her creative life: music, motherhood, mythology, and the radical act of sustaining a long-term, independent practice. We also talk about her upcoming literary memoir, which will explore her time inside the legendary 1990s rock scene — set to be released in 2026 by Grand Central Publishing / Hachette Books. We discuss: • Touring the world with Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins • Creating Basilica Hudson as a haven for artists and community • Her deep roots in visual art and photography • Storytelling, place-making, and the role of women in music history • Writing her forthcoming memoir on the 90s rock era Follow Melissa: @xmadmx Learn more about Basilica Hudson: basilicahudson.org Follow Emily: @emilymcelwreath_art Follow The Art Career: @theartcareer Melissa Auf der Maur was born and raised in Montreal, Canada where she received a fine arts education focused on music and photography. Auf der Maur is most prominently known for her role as the bass player and band member in two Grammy Nominated and Winning 90’s rock bands, Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins. At the turn of the millennium, after multiple world tours she set off on her own to self-produce two solo albums, released on Capitol Records and RoadRunner / Warner Brother Records. In 2010 she co-founded the multidisciplinary art center Basilica Hudson in Hudson, NY with filmmaker Tony Stone, which welcomes up to 20,000 yearly visitors to genre-pushing music festivals, large-scale marketplace events, film screenings, and public installations. In addition to her work as an arts and music curator at Basilica Hudson, Auf der Maur has produced films that have been presented at Sundance Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival, New Directors New Films, and released by NEON and Magnolia Pictures. Her photography work has been published in National Geographic, American Photo, SPIN and BUST Magazines, and exhibited at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Sotheby's NY, among other venues. Her literary memoir, focusing on her time in the iconic 90’s rock scene, is due to be released in 2026 by Grand Central / Hachettes Books.
Mar 27, 2025 · 1 hr 14 min
Jemima Kirke: Movies, Sex and Bukowski (Redux)
In this candid and richly layered episode, Emily sits down with artist and actress Jemima Kirke for a conversation that unfolds with wit, depth, and honesty. Best known for her role as Jessa in HBO’s Girls, Jemima is also a RISD-trained painter whose work explores vulnerability, womanhood, and identity through a deeply personal lens. Jemima opens up about the nuances of balancing visibility in the film world with the more private act of painting, the impact of motherhood on her creative process, and why she remains uninterested in pleasing anyone but herself when it comes to making art. The interview was photographed by the inimitable Matthew Tully Dugan, who captured Jemima at home—images as intimate and magnetic as the conversation itself. As always, The Art Career Podcast is brought to you by a small but passionate team. These unscripted, heartfelt dialogues are made possible by a community that values art, storytelling, and truth. Thank you for being here. Jemima Kirke is a British-American actress and visual artist. She rose to prominence for her role as Jessa Johansson on the HBO series Girls, and has since starred in acclaimed projects such as Conversations with Friends, Maniac, and Sex Education. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Jemima’s first love is painting—her figurative works often exploring themes of intimacy, identity, and the complexities of womanhood. Her art has been exhibited in both the U.S. and the UK, and she continues to cultivate a multidisciplinary practice that defies easy categorization.
Mar 21, 2025 · 55 min
Jemma Rose Brown: Where Audio Meets Art
Jemma Rose Brown is an artist, strategist and curator of cultural programs raised & based in NYC. Her approach is shaped by a decade+ career in podcasts and the audio industry. Jemma is the General Manager of The Signal Awards and Co-Creator of On Air Fest, the premiere event for audio storytelling. She is the Co-Founder of Cosmophage. Previously, she was the Director of creative agency work x work and a Producer at The Moth. Her projects have been covered widely in Vanity Fair, Wired, Forbes, Rolling Stone & more. Jemma sits on the Advisory Committee of UnionDocs Center for Documentary Art. Alongside her professional work, Jemma’s art practice is in incessant pursuit of intimacy: reaching across the asymptote of human experience to create momentary acts of connection. Jemma utilizes memoir, staged meals and performance to test the boundaries between self and other. Links: ⁠⁠⁠theartcareer.com⁠⁠⁠ Follow Cosmophage Collective: https://www.instagram.com/cosmophage/?hl=en Follow Jemma: https://www.instagram.com/_needsmoresalt/ Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠@theartcareer⁠⁠⁠ Host: ⁠⁠⁠@emilymcelwreath_art⁠⁠⁠ Production + Creative Direction ⁠⁠⁠@soniaruscoe⁠⁠⁠ Editing: ⁠⁠⁠@benjamin.galloway⁠⁠⁠ Join our community for exclusive updates, artist resources, and behind-the-scenes content! Sign up at ⁠⁠⁠theartcareer.com⁠⁠⁠ Never miss an episode! Subscribe & leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠

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