Hm. If this is true, I’ve never seen this “large audience” (large being a relative term, of course). Maybe they’ve been remarkably silent, and therefore undetectable?

As to the old sawhorse that there’s no good arts writing in town, well, I suppose that’s relative too. I’ve been writing about FAW, SooVAC, Midway, et al, for going on 12 years, and while it’s been fun it certainly hasn’t given me a fan-base so large that I can retire my day job.

That the writing’s appeared, by market necessity, on various and sundry publications doesn’t mean the writing isn’t getting done. In fact, Pend., a long rumination about Midway was just published a few days ago on the arts section of SoTC. Did you read it? Have you been checking in, lending your support of such writing? Why not seek it out before you decide it doesn’t exist?

Meanwhile, as for MinnPost, kudos to them for their coverage. The more the merrier. Don’t know how long their business model will remain tenable, but I applaud them for trying.

Are your spaces displaying how you want them to display now?

Since I’m making another post, I should add another comment to the topic – articles about art crawls and images of cray pas drawings of the Gold Medal Flour sign is not relly interesting to me. I want to see someone tackle a Midway Show or say, the William Lamson show now currently up at Franklin Art Works. I don’t need a loving article about any of it, just an article validating the presence of art beyond the walls of the Tilsner building.

So glad you asked. I really long for better visual arts coverage by any local media source. Midway Contemporary, Franklin Art Works and Soo VAC get little credit for the work they show.

Commenters love to hate on contemporary art but I think writers need to know that there is a large audience for articles about the more challenging art being shown in the Twin Cities. That audience is less outspoken than the few who always scream about art they don’t get. Unfortunately this prevents a lot of comments from people who might leave a positive comment or ask a more in-depth question, sparking a discussion. I think this is directly related to the lack thoughtful writing about it more challenging art. Good writing can create a good audience.

As for the hating on City Pages comment – it gets old by Tuesday. Every Wednesday it gets new again. I mean c’mon, if you’re going to market to the 11-21 year old male market or whatever demographic they are now shooting for, you’re going to get a lot of criticism from, say, older male readers and, uh, female readers of all ages.

I am, however, excited that MinnPost is moving in this direction. And do think you should continue posting Arts related stories, Max. The more the merrier.