The Brownstein Residency for Artistic Innovation links notable visiting artists to the Penn and Philadelphia communities, emphasizing interdisciplinary work and experiences for broad audiences. The 26/27 season Brownstein Artist-in-Residence is Béla Fleck, the world’s premier banjo virtuoso and celebrated musical adventurer. Exploring the roots and evolving traditions of Appalachian and bluegrass music, Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart will bring together the genre’s legends with the best of a new generation of talent. In February 2027, he will help curate a weekend-long Americana Festival and perform the world premiere of a Penn Live Arts commission. Through this array of creative voices, classroom visits and community engagement activities, Fleck’s residency traces the cultural evolution of this beloved music.