Intensive: Criticism

The critic is dead! Long live the critic! Crafting insightful and incisive criticism is an art in its own right. Criticism can add to, interrogate and re-situate creative work in meaningful and powerful ways. Get critical and learn from some of the best in the biz.

10am The State of Criticism

What is the future of arts writing in today’s cultural climate? How can cultural critics respond to the shrinking and shifting landscape of arts journalism, and what are the alternatives to traditional modes of arts coverage? Alison Croggon (Witness) and Mel Campbell ( The Rereaders ) discuss the state of arts criticism today.

11am The Art of Criticism

Cultural criticism is a lot more than simply stating your opinion. How do you do criticism? What makes criticism good? The art of criticism is intrinsically subjective, but what goes into constructing nuanced, rigorous and informed responses to creative work? Annabel Brady-Brown ( Fireflies ) and Jana Perković ( Audiostage ) explore.

12pm Critical Perspectives

What is the social and ethical responsibility of the critic? What does it mean to engage with criticism from feminist, postcolonial and queer perspectives? Hear from Michelle Cahill, Maddee Clark and Natalie Thomas as they discuss their approaches to assessing and analysing cultural works.