Art — be it expressed in a mural, movement, melody or movie — is a fundamental fabric of our society. Art has the power to unite people from different backgrounds, art allows us to express our deepest feelings and art builds the roots of innovative communities and companies.
Arts journalists support the arts world. They act as a sort of amplifier for the music — exposing artists to new audiences, provoking thought over creative works and shining a critical spotlight though reviews on arts to push it to always become more.
Real arts journalism is scarce. Mainstream media is abandoning arts coverage in droves. And when arts journalists remain their work is whittled down to whatever brings the most clicks to advertisers, the primary business driver in for-profit media. This means works that journalists feel need the most exposure are often never exposed to oxygen and instead article after article is written about the most widely-known artists in hopes of delivering clicks and revenue.
Not so at Voice. Here we are not beholden to advertisers or sponsors. We tell the stories that are most important to the community. Here, respected arts journalists Paul Hodgins and Heide Janssen along with a stable of super-talented arts reporters have established a community around arts news and criticism.
Today we’re calling on you to invest in the future of Orange County arts and culture journalism.
Right now we’re excited to share an opportunity to triple your donation. Now through Dec. 31 you can triple your donation (up to $1,000) through the national NewsMatch fund supporting independent journalism and a local matching fund. New monthly recurring donations are matched for the full year’s value.
- Every person who gives during NewsMatch 2019 and enters a mailing address will be sent a special-edition silver Voice of OC enamel pin.
- If you give at least $20 as a recurring monthly donation, you will receive a New York Times one-year digital subscription code.
- You can join the exclusive ambassador’s program (including invitations to private events) for $1,000 every year or $84 every month.
With your support, Voice of OC can earn up to $40,000 in matching dollars. For a nonprofit like ours, this is a big deal and will help us deliver and expand the kind of innovative and community-focused journalism you’ve come to expect from us every day.
This arts news can’t wait. The time is now.With gratitude,
Sonya Quick, Digital Editor, Voice of OC
P.S. Now is the time to build a better future for theater, visual arts, music, dance in Orange County because without arts journalism these foundations of our culture lack connections in the community. Do you agree? Forward this article to someone who’s equally passionate and encourage them to invest in us.