recent lectures, tours, and essays
Academic Specialities
Washington DC art, architecture, and the Founders' classical vision; classical aesthetics and practice; American art history. Please contact if you would like a tour, lecture, or essay delivered on these several subjects.
It was an incredible experience. Michael was one of the most engaging and knowledgeable tour guides I've encountered. He clearly had a passion for history, philosophy, art---areas that our Founding Fathers were well-versed in and allowed them to write the Constitution and Declaration of Independence to establish our form of government.
Summer 2021 Tours
"The Classive Tradition: The Beauty, Goodness, and Truth of Washington, D.C."
The National Civic Art Society invites you to take part in our 2021 outdoor walking tour series “The Classive Tradition: The Beauty, Goodness, and Truth of Washington, D.C.” led by NCAS Research Fellow Michael Curtis.
Fall 2021 Appearances
Authenticity, Beauty, and Human Wellbeing: There Is No Good Urbanism Without Good Architecture, was presented at the Cosmos Club, Washington, D.C., jointly hosted by The National Civic Art Society, The American Conservative. The event co-presenters were Ann Susman, who remarked on the neuroscience of aesthetic appreciation, and Dr. Nir Buras who discussed holistic, classic city planning. My bit, “Progressive, or Classive Civic Art”, at 40:00 to 1:00:00; Dr. Buras preceded, Ann Sussman followed.
Coolidge Scholars, Washington, DC Orientation
This tour concerned three problems central to practical philosophy: The Problem of Knowledge, The Problem of Conduct, The Problem of Governance, and how these philosophical problems are answered in three American temples, the Library of Congress, the United States Supreme Court Building, the United States Capitol Building.
Occasional Poetry
From Occasional Poetry: How to Write Poems for Any Occasion, "Lyric: Songs" essay excerpted at Expansive Poetry Online