J-Topics

With armchair art and theatre critics proliferating online, media cutbacks reducing the number of those who critique for a living, and celebrity news trumping cultural coverage, is the relevance of the traditional art and theatre critic less--or greater--than it once was? This discussion explores the Internet's impact on art criticism, and what it means for the arts and its audiences. Join Ben Brantley, chief theatre critic, The New York Times; Robert Cushman, theatre arts critic, The National Post; Peter Schjeldahl, arts critic, The New Yorker; and moderator Sara Angel, visual arts journalist and Trudeau Doctoral Scholar at the University of Toronto's Department of Art.

Cheques went out earlier in April, although not all contributors have been paid in full yet. 

Depending on who you talk to, the rise of the “citizen journalist” may be heralded as democratic, engaging, educational, and authentic. Alternatively, it might be criticized for its diminished professional standards, unsustainable growth or lack of oversight. Jacky Tunistra explains how GroundWire, a national community radio program, harnesses the idea of the citizen journalist in a way that creates meaningful and engaging stories.  

AMARC - Prof. Vinod Pavarala, Dean, Sarojini Naidu School of Arts & Communication, University of Hyderabad has been chosen to be the first ever UNESCO Chair on Community Media. The four-year appointmnent will serve as a knowledge and resource centre for the study and promotion of community media, including such things as community radio, participatory video, and other citizen-driven initiatives with media and communication technologies.