Arts Journalism--A New Opportunity for Nonprofit & Commercial Partners

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

Independent News Networks Fill Void

A new model for arts journalism in Middle America is needed, and I propose the development of innovative regional partnerships between commercial newspapers, arts groups, universities, and nonprofit media organizations. At a time when Americans appear to be abandoning the fine arts, part of the blame is a corresponding decline in arts journalism. Traditional media is failing the Arts, and during the past decade as jobs were slashed, content thinned, and arts criticism lost its emphasis, more Americans began getting their news online (21%), according to Pew’s biennial study.

The journalism landscape is changing, and one emerging trend has been the rise of nonprofit news organizations. These new entities however, with minimal staffs and modest budgets of less than $50,000 will not be able to compete outside of the coasts. The new arts journalism model for Middle America will empower bloggers, students and/or professionals, and non-arts journalists by offering perspectives that go beyond mere branding by increasing the levels of interactivity among audiences including postings and online conversations. Critically, it will also provide the business fundamentals of marketing, sales, and fundraising that are needed.