A 2024 Podcast Roundup for Arts Advocates
Some say we’ve reached “peak podcasting” and that the exponential growth of podcasts will slow significantly in the near future. But this signals that podcasts have become a regular staple in how we consume information, seek education, bide our time, and entertain ourselves.
So while the era of “everyone” creating a fabulously successful podcast might have passed (and the podcasting world is littered with the carcasses of hundreds of pods that have come and gone), we have settled into a new dawn with standardized, reliable content creation.
And this goes for the arts ecosystem, especially. Many individuals, outlets, museums, and corporations contribute their thoughts, questions and musings to the podcast sphere.
Further, as with all of the podcasting world, there are both niche conversations pondering art with comedian on “Art Laughs” with Verity Babbs and mega-influencer musings on “Talk Art” with Russel Tovey. There are rabbit holes devoted to quilting (“Measure Twice, Cut Once”) and drunk conversations about art (“Art History Babes”).
In addition, many podcasts are devoted to the insider views for whom the conversation is crafted (such as talking about arts resources for artists in “I Like Your Work”) and then conversations explaining art to laypeople who just enjoy the topic (such as “Artholes – a recklessly deep dive into art and art history with someone who has absolutely no background in either topic”.)
Many of the pods that reached an endpoint for various reasons are entirely worth revisiting. But for now, here is an eclectic list of current podcasts we love focused on visual arts for folks who appreciate arts, culture, design, and craft (and described in their own words):
2024 Podcast Roundup
Are We On Air?
In Are We On Air?, Arman Naféei dives into “cultural chat where he has intimate conversations with luminaries from across the cultural spectrum. Originating with the legendary Patti Smith, and featuring juicy confessions from the likes of Dua Lipa, Rick Owens, Julian Schnabel, Gia Coppola, and Jane Birkin, the podcast promises a fascinating journey through the heart of contemporary cultural zeitgeist.”
Being Seen
“Being Seen is an in-depth exploration of culture’s role in resolving the tension between how we are seen and how we see ourselves. It is a space to explore current cultural representations and their impact through conversation with leading artists, writers, activities, entertainers, and community leaders. If we create nuanced and accurate cultural portrayals of identity and experience we have an opportunity to reduce stigma and change perception – impacting everything from HIV to institutional inequality. Each episode is brought to life visually through license artwork and photography.”
Creative Characters
“Creative Characters explores the people and personalities behind the brands, campaigns, and designs we love. It is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever quality podcasts can be found.” Produced by Monotype.
Art Curious
Art Curious: “Exploring the unexpected, the slightly odd, and the strangely wonderful in Art History.”
The Great Women Artists
“Created off the back of @thegreatwomenartists Instagram, [The Great Women Artists] podcast is all about celebrating women artists. Presented by art historian and curator, Katy Hessel, this podcast interviews artists on their career, or curators, writers, or general art lovers, on the female artist who means the most to them.”
VantagePoint
“VantagePoint is a monthly podcast hosted by James ‘JB’ Bullough and Tom Auto64. Each episode features an established artist or group of artists in the post graffiti/urban art/contemporary art scene and will bridge the gap between the artwork hanging on gallery walls around the world, and the artists who create that work.
Originating in Berlin, Germany, the show now roams the globe searching the next interview wherever that takes us, with shows recorded in Sweden, Hawaii, St Petersburg Florida, Miami, Hawaii, London, Hamburg, New Zealand, Sydney, Melbourne and Roskilde Festival in Denmark, VantagePoint goes where no other podcast does.. to the people.
Released every the 1st of every month at on vantagepointradio.com or on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Mixcloud and Spreaker.”
Bad At Sports
“B@S [Bad at Sports] can be tricky to describe: it acts as a curious investigator, an archivist, oral historian, and occasionally as a provocateur. We produce content that lies somewhere on the Venn diagram of art, journalism, media, intellectualism, and all the naughty bits. We represent artists and their art world through an archive that is text, audio, physical, ephemeral, historical, and constantly evolving through ongoing and unique projects.”
Draftsmen
On Draftsmen: “Stan Prokopenko and Marshall Vandruff are art instructors. If you love the arts, particularly the craft of drawing and painting and image-making… and you want to level up your skills or even make a living with your skills, we are here to answer your questions. We’re here to offer you advice, refer you to our resources, share your love of the craft and maybe inspire you!”
The Lonely Palette
“When you hear the phrase ‘art history’ you probably think dry. Snooty. Dusty. A British accent on an audio guide waxing rhapsodic about the Ren-AYY-since over the strains of Vivaldi. An intellectual velvet rope.
But do you ever think about the human beings behind the artworks? About the centuries of soulful human experience the works depict? About how artists lived through their moments, just as you live through yours? About all the incredible stories there are to tell?
And that’s where The Lonely Palette comes in. In each episode, creator and host Tamar Avishai focuses on one object – a painting, a sculpture, an installation, a very special urinal – and tells its story. We explore the artwork, the movement, the social context, and most importantly, why art matters, not just to its own time, but to ours.”
Plein Air
Plein Air Podcast: “PleinAir Magazine publisher Eric Rhoads delves into the world of plein air painting and the outdoor painting movement, and includes a special segment for artists called the Marketing Minute.”
Recording Artists
Recording Artists: “Artists in their own words from the Getty Research Institute archives.”
Season 3 features Experiments in Art and Technology: Artists and engineers discover the creative potential of new technologies
Framing the Hammer
Yes, we couldn’t help but place our own podcast in this list. Framing the Hammer discusses arts, culture, design, and craft, as the centerpiece of the American wellness economy through the lens of people populating varied creative industries.