http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/html/rreynolds/rreynolds-home.html

Trained as a musician and an engineer at the University of Michigan, composer Roger Reynolds has been one of the major voices in contemporary music during the past half-century. In 1998, the Library of Congress established the Roger Reynolds Collection, and this site offers a tour through his works and life. Visitors to the site can look over a list of his works, which include theatrical productions, digital signal processing, video installations, and real-time computer spatialization. Moving down the site's homepage, visitors can browse the collection by format, search by keyword, and also take a look at two special presentations: "The Genealogy of Transfigured Wind" and "An Interview with Roger Reynolds". "The Genealogy of Transfigured Wind" affords visitors a series of illustrated histories and diagrams that provide substantial insight into how Reynolds created the series of compositions "Transfigured Wind". [KMG]

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award98/ienhtml/curthome.html

Over half a century since his death, Edward S. Curtis's photographs of Native Americans remain tremendously popular, and in some quarters, quite controversial. One of his most notable projects was his limited edition volume, "The North American Indian". Produced with the financial assistance of J.P. Morgan, this limited edition publication contained over 2000 photogravure plates and narrative descriptions. Curtis's intent was to document "the old time Indian, his dress, his ceremonies, his life and manners." The American Memory Project at the Library of Congress has done a tremendous job of digitizing this massive volume, and they have placed it online here for the general public. Visitors can search the volume by keyword, or browse its contents by subject, American Indian tribe, or geographic location. The site is rounded out by a special essay presentation titled "Edward S. Curtis in Context" which gives visitors a nice profile of Curtis, his legacy, and his contributions to ethnography. [KMG]

http://www.greatissuesforum.org/

Big ideas are important, and the Graduate Center at the City University of New York (CUNY) has created the Great Issues Forum in order to "explore critical issues of our time through a single thematic lens." The program was started in 2007, and the initiative includes free public conversations, online seminars, and a number of other features designed to bring these conversations to people around the globe. Visitors can get a sense of these conversations by clicking on the "Online Audio/Video Archive" to view past sessions. These sessions have included discussion on political power, economic power, and the African-American church and American politics. After checking one (or more) of these sessions out, visitors should then click on over to the "Seminars" area. Here they can read and comment on online discussions about subjects such as global natural resource conflicts and depictions of power in cinema. Along the way, visitors can also view participants' bios, and also learn about the upcoming seminar topics and public presentations and forums. [KMG]

The Auden Society
http://audensociety.org/
Poets: W.H. Auden
http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/120

After his death in 1973, W.H. Auden was feted in many quarters, and his reputation as one of the most important poets of the 20th century remains secure. The first link will take users to the homepage of the W.H. Auden Society, which works to preserve his legacy and to inform curious readers about his work in general. The helpful materials on this site are contained with seven sections, which include "Books", "Poems", "Recordings", and "News". The "Books" area contains a complete list of Auden's works, along with his plays and libretti. "News" contains information about news stories recently done on Auden, and the "Criticism" area contains a rather thorough listing of introductory studies on Auden, biographies, and concordances. The second link leads to brief, yet delightful collection of Auden's works offered by the Academy of American Poets. The site starts off with a brief biography of Auden, and continues on with the text of eleven poems by the master himself. The real treat is that visitors can also listen to Auden read three of his own works, such as "First Things First" and "On the Circuit". [KMG]

http://www.tolerance.org/teach/magazine/index.jsp

The Teaching Tolerance magazine, which is put out by the Southern Poverty Law Center to accompany its free Teaching Tolerance educational program, is available online via the website dedicated to the Teaching Tolerance program. The magazine is loaded with wonderful information and creative ways to teach tolerance. Visitors should click "Go" next to the great article entitled "I Didn't Know There Were Cities in Africa!" which is on right side of the page. At the end of the article is a resource list of all the materials mentioned in the article. To search issues of the magazine by grade level, tolerance topic, and academic subject, simply click on any of the links to articles on the right side of the page, or the "Perspectives", "Grant Spotlight", or "Teaching Tools" links on the left side of the page. These will take the visitor to the aforementioned search function, which will appear in the lower left corner of the page. Clicking on "Advanced Find", right below the search function, allows the visitor to also choose the type of content, including classroom activity, lesson plan, parent guide and magazine article, for which they are searching.
If the thoughtful content and depth with which the Southern Poverty Law Center supports their Teaching Tolerance program isn't enough to convince visitors that it's a superb program, check out this quote from their "About Us" section: "Scientific surveys demonstrate that our programs help students learn respect for differences and bolster teacher practice." [KMG]

http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/turnerprize/turnerprize2008/

The Tate Museum's website has a well organized section on the Turner Prize, the prize awarded to artists under 50 years old who were born, or are living or working in Britain. The artist must also have had an outstanding exhibition in the year prior to the awarding of the Prize. Visitors can roll their mouse over "The Prize" to see links to some general information, such as "What is the Turner Prize?", "Turner Prize Q&A", and "The Jury". Within the "What is the Turner Prize?" section there is a link to a fantastic history of the Turner Prize, including posters from past Prize years, invitations to the announcement reception, and links to many works by the shortlisted artists. Back on the homepage of the Turner Prize section, rolling over "The Debate" will take the visitor to the categories of "Think", "Report", and "Reveal". Particularly interesting are the "Think" and "Reveal" links. [KMG]

http://www.exploratorium.edu/webcasts/index.php

Even though EXPLO.TV sounds like an edgy punk website, it's actually the video component of the Exploratorium: Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception in San Francisco. This website has some excellent ways to learn about science--such as webcasts, podcasts, and video clips. At the top of the page visitors will find several ways to browse: "Presentation Type", "Program Type", or "Category". Within the categories section visitors will find: "Everyday Science", "History of Science", and "Popular Science in Action". "Upcoming Webcasts" is another feature on the homepage, and there are a number of fine webcasts here. Because the webcasts are produced in San Francisco, people who live in the area can go to the live audio or video broadcast. They just need to click on the link "Attend the Live Event" to learn how. Visitors can also subscribe to a monthly e-newsletter that keeps them updated on the happenings and special events at the Exploratorium. [KMG]

http://hoodmuseum.dartmouth.edu/

In 2007 Dartmouth's Hood Museum of Art began a series of exhibitions highlighting their permanent collections with their inaugural collection "American Art at Dartmouth". Excerpts from that show, along with more from their second and current collection "European Art at Dartmouth", are now viewable online. Examples from the American Art show include John Singleton Copley's portrait in pastels of Governor John Wentworth, from 1769, and an Art Nouveau vase from 1901, while some European highlights are Kandinsky's Circling, from 1924, an Albrecht Durer woodcut from 1510, and Jan Davidsz de Heem, Still-Life with Grapes, ca. 1660s. In addition, the Museum's website features video and audio, such as panoramas of exhibition galleries, lectures and gallery talks, and several short videos including "The Hood Museum of Art at Twenty" and "The Construction of the Museum". [DS]