Artists Adapt as Newspaper Critics Disappear: Social Media and Substack Fill the Void
The recent firing of art critic Sebastian Smee by The Washington Post in early February 2023 underscores the diminishing presence of newspaper art criticism, leaving artists without the conventional endorsement they once relied on. Prominent publications such as The Baltimore Sun, The Boston Globe, and The Wall Street Journal have ceased to hire full-time critics. Reviews play a vital role for artists pursuing grants and fellowships, as noted by gallery owner George Hemphill, who emphasizes their importance as a record of an artist's existence. New York painter Tom Christopher describes the situation as 'just another door slamming.' Fabio J. Fernandez highlights the societal impact of losing creative platforms. Artists are increasingly utilizing social media and Substack, while PR professionals recommend email and Zoom for outreach. This article by Daniel Grant is featured in Artists Network.
Key facts
- Sebastian Smee, art critic for The Washington Post, was fired in early February along with 300 other journalists.
- Newspapers including The Baltimore Sun, The Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, The Dallas Morning News, Detroit Free Press, Indianapolis Star, Miami Herald, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Wall Street Journal no longer have full-time critics.
- Artist CVs include a 'Publications' section, and grants require write-ups.
- George Hemphill, a Washington, D.C. gallery owner, quotes an artist wanting any review as a record of existence.
- New York painter Tom Christopher says the decline is 'just another door slamming.'
- Fabio J. Fernandez, executive director of the National Sculpture Society, says society suffers when creative voices lack forums.
- Andy Cushman of Blue Medium advises artists to use email and Zoom for direct engagement.
- Shannon Wilkinson of Reputation Communications recommends Squarespace for websites and notes Substack for art critics' essays.
- Artists are producing podcasts, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram reels.
- Daniel Grant is the author of 'The Business of Being an Artist.'
Entities
Artists
- Sebastian Smee
- George Hemphill
- Tom Christopher
- Fabio J. Fernandez
- Andy Cushman
- Shannon Wilkinson
- Daniel Grant
Institutions
- The Washington Post
- The Baltimore Sun
- The Boston Globe
- Chicago Tribune
- The Dallas Morning News
- Detroit Free Press
- Indianapolis Star
- Miami Herald
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
- The Wall Street Journal
- National Sculpture Society
- Blue Medium
- Reputation Communications
- Squarespace
- Substack
- Artists Network
Locations
- Washington, D.C.
- New York