Two recent articles in Philadelphia’s Broad Street Review take on the issues of criticism, ethics, and compensation of reviewers, setting up a circular firing squad, as it were, as they address these topics.
- How important is professionalism in an era when everyone’s a critic?
- Should critics submit their reviews to editors?
- Does it matter if critics are paid by the publication?
- If the critic’s only compensation comes in the form of comp tickets, is the writer beholden to the presenter?
CVNC is a 501c3 non-profit providing coverage of the arts across North Carolina. Here’s our take on this.
- CVNC writers are professionals in their fields. We also mentor student interns and provide them the opportunity to hone this craft.
- Writers are paid. Interns receive small stipends to help cover travel costs.
- All reviews are edited.
- When a review is assigned, a CVNC staff member requests two comp tickets from the presenter. (Purchasing the tickets would more than double our expenses.)
- Reviews and the calendar on CVNC are supported by:
- Tax-deductible individual donations and donor-advised funds from community foundations;
- Grants from government agencies, foundations, and corporate matching funds; and
- Display ads purchased by advertisers at nominal rates.
Read Broad Street‘s two sides of this issue here and here.
Do you agree with CVNC‘s take on the process?
Let the discussion continue online or by email to info@cvnc.org.