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The Art and Culture Making Headlines in Local News

Choose your own adventure and discover the engrossing films, author interviews, and museum exhibitions that bring communities together.

American Journalism Project

Read when you’ve got time to spare.

In partnership with

This month, the American Journalism Project is spotlighting the immersive storytelling—and locally informed art and culture reporting—coming out of independent news rooms across the country. Below, you can choose your own adventure as you discover engrossing films, author interviews, and the dance, art exhibitions, and cheese festivals (yes, cheese festivals) that bring communities together.

Pocket has teamed up with the American Journalism Project to bring some of the best local journalism from across the country right to you—no matter where you live. Each month we’ll highlight deep dives into local stories with national impact—the kind of journalism that brings nuance and context to the major issues we face on a national scale. Read more about our partnership here and browse past collections to get your local fix.

Only Two Shops in the U.S. Get This Colossal Italian Cheese. One Is in Oakland

Market Hall in Rockridge is one of two U.S. shops that receive crucolo, a colossal Italian cheese. Each year they celebrate with a parade.

Native Artist Uses Humor to Defy Stereotypes and Target Hypocrisy

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith’s work is grounded in research, but her own perspective is always present, whether she is challenging stereotypes, pointing out hypocrisy or turning a map on its side.

What’s Dhaanto? A Popular Dance, and Music Scene, Unifies Somalis in Minnesota–and Beyond

“We want to be the bridge between cultures: the Western culture and Somali culture,” Dalmar Yare says. “We also want to bring back live Somali music and create activities for the youth to give them things to do—but also a way to connect to their culture.”

‘Ward 5 United’ Film Is About a Unique Cleveland Muni Football Team

The Signal Cleveland film chronicles the 2022 football season of a team of 12-year-olds from two rival neighborhoods.

The Marshall Project and FRONTLINE Present ‘Two Strikes’ and ‘Tutwiler’

A special broadcast of two short documentaries gives a rare insight into life behind bars.

Q&A With ‘¡Ándale, Prieta!’ Author Yasmín Ramírez

Written in English and heavily sprinkled with Spanish and Spanglish, the book captures the bond between Ramírez and her grandmother and includes a few recipes from Ita, who the author said expressed her love through her cooking.

Uncovering Conversations in Indian Country

The new short film ‘The Roof’ on Disney Plus tells the story of a Two-Spirit, Northern Cheyenne teenager bonding with his grandfather

The Sit-Down: Reggie Watts

The comedian, musician and Great Falls native talks about his brand-new memoir.

‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’ Brings Art Depicting War in Ukraine to Chicago

More than 150 paintings, drawings and other works from 26 Ukrainian artists will be featured in the exhibit at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art.

Elevating Local Stories With Pocket and the American Journalism Project

Connect with some of the best local journalism from outlets across the country.

American Journalism Project

The American Journalism Project (AJP) is the first venture philanthropy dedicated to local news. AJP makes grants to local nonprofit news organizations to build their revenue and business operations, partner with communities to launch new organizations, and mentor leaders as they grow and sustain their newsrooms. Learn more about the independent, community-driven nonprofit news organizations AJP supports.