The Art Career

• 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 RentWhat it takes to recognize and develop groundbreaking workThe emotional and financial risks behind HamiltonHis revolutionary $20 ticket lottery and commitment to accessibilityHow he balances artistic vision with the demands of productionAdvice for creatives building sustainable, impactful careersIn 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/1668064189With 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.htmlFollow Emily on Instagram: @emilymcelwreath_artVisit theartcareer.com for more episodes and resourcesIf 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.

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• 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 eraFollow Melissa: @xmadmxLearn more about Basilica Hudson: basilicahudson.orgFollow Emily: @emilymcelwreath_artFollow The Art Career: @theartcareerMelissa 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 herrole 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 andRoadRunner / 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.com⁠⁠⁠Follow Cosmophage Collective: https://www.instagram.com/cosmophage/?hl=enFollow Jemma: https://www.instagram.com/_needsmoresalt/Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠@theartcareer⁠⁠⁠Host: ⁠⁠⁠@emilymcelwreath_art⁠⁠⁠Production + Creative Direction ⁠⁠⁠@soniaruscoe⁠⁠⁠Editing: ⁠⁠⁠@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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• Introducing Cultural Icons—A New Standard in Cultural Journalism

  Cultural Icons is here. A new editorial series by Emily McElwreath, spotlighting the spaces, brands, and experiences shaping today’s creative landscape.As a curator, art advisor, and cultural journalist, Emily has spent years immersed in the art world, uncovering the people and places that truly move culture forward. Now, she’s bringing that insight to Cultural Icons—a definitive selection of the most inspiring destinations, institutions, and brands that understand the intersection of art, design, and experience.In this episode, Emily introduces the vision behind Cultural Icons, how it expands upon The Art Career Podcast, and what’s to come. Stay tuned for the first feature this spring.Follow along - Cultural Icons@theartcareer@emily_mcelwreathart

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