Incisive criticism and equitable publishing across the New York Metropolitan area.
The Broadway Art Ledger
A publication solely focused on art criticism in the New York metropolitan area, with all reviews between 200 and 400 words. Pitches will be considered and approved in the order they are received in a blind review process via an anonymous form. The publication of a review will not be based on the show's opening or closing date, ad revenue, or a writer’s reputation; it will be determined solely by its promise and place in the queue. We are committed to a more equitable submission and publication process.
While we welcome early pitches before a show’s opening or during its run, we also accommodate reviews of shows that have closed or pitches that won’t be published until after the final day: something that stuck with you, something that maybe was rejected by another publication, or something that you’ve recently seen. Our pitch process aims to lessen bias and focus on a piece's potential. Authors of published reviews will be compensated with a flat fee of $200. There is one marquee image per review, and we prefer photos taken by the author with their smartphone over professional photography.
The Broadway Art Ledger is an evolving project; however, there are guiding principles. We will not publish exhibition summaries, theoretical jargon, or glorified press releases: we are looking for an original position on the show. What’s at stake, why does this matter, and what is your central argument? This is also not criticism for criticism’s sake; all judgments should be clear and grounded in evidence. With this in mind, we are not prescriptive; if you believe that you have a structure that qualifies for an excellent review, we eagerly welcome that as well.
The notion that art criticism is defunct is hyperbole; it’s stuck in a cycle of hit-or-miss writing that perpetuates mediocrity. The Broadway Art Ledger aims to counter this for the pleasure of compelling criticism itself. Unruly features, publication hierarchies, bloated media projects like videos and podcasts, the pursuit of profit, and the art world’s news cycle inhibit critical perspectives in prominent art publications. The Broadway Art Ledger is dedicated to succinct, rigorous criticism.
Why a ledger? It’s a system of record—a way to track, document, and evaluate exhibitions across New York’s art institutions. And why New York? Because King Kong died here, and it’s where the best art lives.