"The film critic is dead. Long live the film critic." So argued movie buff Ronald Bergan on The Guardian's film blog earlier this year, contesting claims that the internet has done away with the need for professional reviewers now anyone can express an opinion on the latest film, book, song, play or painting online.
Certainly, the landscape of arts journalism is changing, with fewer full-time critics and less space given over to coverage in the traditional print media. However, at a time when the arts are facing major funding cuts, the role and responsibility of the professional arts journalist has never been greater.
Reporters keep the public informed of front-line cuts. Commentators call government policy and the cultural sector to account. And the army of writers still interviewing, previewing and reviewing on a daily basis ensure that arts stay on the agenda and, crucially, that audiences keep on coming.
But how to be paid for the work you produce? This is the dilemma facing a new generation of culture vultures keen on a career in this most competitive corner of the media. So, in the next instalment of our series of journalism Q&As, we've persuaded a panel of arts writers to give up asking questions for an afternoon and answer yours instead. Join them here from 1pm on December 1.
Our panel:
Carrie Dunn is a Guardian live blogger and freelance journalist, with a particular interest in musical theatre. She is UK editor-in-chief of Broadway World and lectures at various universities on journalism and the media.
Gary Moskowitz is visiting lecturer of Online Journalism at City University, London. He blogs for the New York Times and writes for Intelligent Life. He is also a former senior online fellow at Mother Jones Magazine, and a former assistant editor/podcast host at Pop & Politics.
Alexander Will is the co-founder and co-CEO of London based online publishing and technology start-up Spoonfed Media, which runs the comprehensive web and mobile guide to London entertainment, Spoonfed. He will be joined by journalist Naima Khan who is Editor of Spoonfed's theatre desk.
Ismene Brown is dance critic at theartsdesk, a new online space for top-quality reviews and features from professional critics. Ismene was a musician and political journalist before becoming the Daily Telegraph's dance critic from 1994 to 2006. She regularly broadcasts on the BBC about dance and also writes on classical music and mime theatre.
Jo Caird is a freelance arts journalist writing features, interviews and reviews for publications including The Guardian, The Independent and The Big Issue. She is also a contributing editor of the theatre website, Whatsonstage.com.
Eleanor Turney works on the editorial team of ArtsProfessional magazine, the UK's leading arts management journal. She has written for The Guardian and Sound & Music's INTO magazine, and blogs and reviews at her own website.
Luiza Sauma is the deputy editor of online arts magazine, funding body and creative network IdeasTap. She was previously the assistant arts editor of The Independent on Sunday, where she wrote and commissioned arts reviews and features.
Laura Hooke combines working for the careers service of City University, London with freelance career consultancy. Her 20 year career includes advising school and university students, graduates and career changers, including lots of future journalists from City's degree courses.
The webchat is already open for questions so get posting now.
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