Artforum
Artforum is an international magazine focused on contemporary art, visual culture, and related fields such as film, architecture, and performance, founded in San Francisco in 1962 by John P. Irwin Jr. and relocated to New York City in 1967, where it remains based.[1][2] Published ten times a year from September through May, it provides in-depth criticism, analysis, and reporting on modern and contemporary art developments, serving an audience of collectors, curators, artists, and professionals.[3][4] The publication has played a pivotal role in shaping art discourse, often identifying artists and movements that define eras, from minimalism and conceptual art in its early years to current global trends, establishing itself as a journal of record for the art world.[5][6] Acquired by Penske Media Corporation in December 2022, Artforum operates under publisher Danielle McConnell and editor-in-chief Tina Rivers Ryan, maintaining editorial independence while expanding digital initiatives.[2][7] Artforum has encountered significant controversies that highlight tensions between its critical mission and internal dynamics, including the 2017 resignation of publisher Knight Landesman amid multiple allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct, which prompted calls for boycotts and scrutiny of the magazine's leadership culture.[8] In 2023, editor-in-chief David Velasco was dismissed following the unauthorized online publication of an open letter signed by artists advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza and Palestinian liberation, leading to staff protests and debates over political expression in art journalism.[9][10] These events underscore ongoing challenges in balancing institutional accountability with the provocative nature of contemporary art criticism.[1]