May 17, 2007
To the Editor:
The AJC recently announced to its staff that designated reviewers for classical music, visual arts, and literature will be eliminated. This was reported by Creative Loafing and Julia Wallace of the AJC has made general comments on these changes but has provided no real reassurance on the specifics of future fine arts coverage in Atlanta. Ours is a city of growth and this loss would strike a disheartening blow to our ambitious aspirations. If the AJC follows through with this decision, it will distinguish Atlanta as the largest city in the country without a classical music, book, or art critic on staff at its major newspaper.
Metropolitan Atlanta is in a state of tremendous development. Our mayor, civic and business leaders have stated how important the arts are to the economic health and progress of this great city. Artistic culture is Atlanta’s treasure and its profile to the world, and the AJC plays a critical role in that culture.
A newspaper’s practice of regularly reviewing fine arts is intrinsic to its civic mission. Perception is creativity’s partner: writers need readers, artists need viewers, and musicians need listeners. People have widely varied responses to these experiences that lead to lively and enlightening dialogue. The AJC needs its qualified and discipline-specific reviewers to inform and enrich that dialogue.
Atlanta deserves a newspaper of substance – one that contributes to a city that values expression, ideas, and creativity.
Art matters.
Robert Spano
