Which publications created more opportunities for serious dance writing in the 20th century?
In the 20th century, the expansion of serious dance writing was driven by both mainstream newspapers and a variety of specialty publications that provided dedicated space for critical discourse.12
Mainstream Press
Major newspapers played a pivotal role in establishing dance criticism as a professional field. The competition between The New York Times and the New York Herald Tribune in 1927 led to the hiring of the first full-time dance critics, such as John Martin. Other influential mainstream outlets included the Christian Science Monitor, Saturday Review, The Washington Post, and The New Yorker, which hosted prominent voices like Arlene Croce.31
Specialty Publications
Specialty journals were essential for fostering serious, in-depth writing about the art form. Key publications included:12
* The Dance Observer (launched 1934)1
* Dance Index (1942â48)1
* Dance News (begun 1942)1
* Dance Magazine (launched 1927 as The American Dancer)2
* Dance Perspectives (1959â76)1
* Ballet Review (founded 1965)12
* Dance Chronicle (emerged 1977)12
* Modern Music (1924â46), which featured the influential criticism of Edwin Denby3