DAVENPORT, IOWA (July 9, 2026) — The Putnam Museum and Science Center will welcome Academy Award-winning actress, author, and advocate Marlee Matlin for a powerful evening exploring accessibility, representation, and the role arts and culture play in building communities where everyone belongs.
The event, Marlee Matlin Live at the Putnam, is part of the Culture Bright Summer Series, presented by The Cultural Trust and its Legacy Partners. The eleven-day regional celebration extends the energy of Downtown Davenport Partnership’s Alternating Currents' Festival of Discovery through immersive experiences across the Quad Cities that showcase music, art, science, history, nature, and community connection.
As part of Culture Bright's vision of establishing the Quad Cities as the most inclusive creative capital in the Midwest, the Putnam event highlights the importance of accessibility and belonging, inviting audiences to engage with stories, perspectives, and innovations that help create a more welcoming community for all.
Taking place on Wednesday, August 19, in the Putnam's GIANT Screen Theater, the evening begins with a screening of “I AM disabled,” a Fresh Films documentary featuring local stories that challenge perceptions and celebrate the talents, creativity, and contributions of individuals of all abilities.
Following the screening, Matlin will deliver a keynote address focused on accessibility, inclusion, and the importance of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to experience the joy and transformative power of arts and culture.
Guests will also be among the first to experience the Putnam Museum's new interpretive accessibility features powered by Capption, making the Putnam the first museum in the region to offer the technology as part of its visitor experience.
"Culture Bright is about creating opportunities for discovery, connection, and belonging," said organizers.
"Marlee Matlin's advocacy, combined with the inspiring stories featured in ‘I AM disABLEd’ and the launch of new accessibility technology at the Putnam, exemplifies the spirit of a community where everyone can participate fully in cultural life."
Attendance is limited to 220 guests. Tickets are available at putnam.org
About The Putnam
The Putnam Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, exists to preserve, educate, and connect people to the wonders of science, culture, and history. For more than 150 years, guests have experienced the Putnam’s permanent exhibits ranging from Unearthing Ancient Egypt to our family-favorite science galleries, as well as an array of programs and internationally-recognized traveling exhibits. The Putnam is dedicated to helping guests discover and explore in a friendly and engaging atmosphere.
About the Culture Bright Summer Series
The Culture Bright Summer Series transforms four days of arts and culture into eleven consecutive days of creativity, connection, and community celebration across the Quad Cities. Presented by The Cultural Trust and its Legacy Partners, the series invites residents and visitors to explore the region through a cultural lens while supporting local organizations and discovering new experiences.
More than a calendar of events, Culture Bright is a community-wide investment in belonging, creativity, and regional pride, advancing a bold vision of establishing the Quad Cities as the most inclusive creative capital in the Midwest. culturebright.org/.
About Marlee Matlin
Marlee Matlin received worldwide critical acclaim for her film début in Paramount Pictures’ Children of a Lesser God, for which she received the Academy Award for Best Actress. At 21, she became the youngest recipient of the Best Actress Oscar and only one of four actresses to receive the honor for her film début.
In addition to the Oscar, Marlee received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama. In 2021, Marlee was nominated for an Academy Award once again as Executive Producer for the Live Action Short, Feeling Through. In 2022, her Apple TV+ film CODA swept every category it was nominated in at the 2022 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. In her documentary Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, released in 2025, she reflects on her life in her primary language of American Sign Language and explores the complexities of what it means to be a trailblazer, including her successful effort to ensure all film and television programming is closed-captioned.
About “I am disABLEd”
Autism. ADHD. Bipolar disorder. Down Syndrome. These are diagnoses, not definitions. I Am disABLEd challenges viewers to look beyond the label and see the full humanity, creativity, and capability of young people navigating the world with disabilities.
“A person is a person, no matter how small.” That iconic phrase captures the heart of this powerful documentary which follows the journey of nine youth with disabilities as they stage the musical Seussical.
As these young artists take center stage, the spotlight shines on their abilities and similarities to all of us.
I Am disABLEd invites all audiences — the small and the tall — to discover what’s truly possible when we lead with empathy, celebrate individuality, and redefine what it means to belong.
