Reclaiming the arts is vital on its own merits. But when you consider how fundamentally the arts shape our cultural imagination and even our politics, it becomes an almost existential imperative.
FIRST THINGS has never wavered in its commitment to the arts, having published poetry from our very first issue. Even today, we are taking positive, concrete steps to reclaim the arts for truth, goodness, and beauty, including:
Hosting monthly film nights at our offices for local writers and artists.
Collaborating with artists of various kinds such as Elena Velez, the Hillbilly Thomists, and Wiseblood Books.
Establishing an annual FIRST THINGS Poetry Prize.
Publishing some of the best commentary around on poetry (Dana Gioia’s “Christianity and Poetry”), fiction (Cassandra Nelson’s “A Theology of Fiction”), and the arts (Liel Liebovitz’s “Art Needs Faith”).
We know we can do more. We want to do more. What if we started a podcast to talk with artists about their work? committed to publishing one essay of arts criticism a month? cultivated a national network of aligned artists and writers?
My colleagues and I would welcome your input on what else FIRST THINGS should be doing to reclaim the arts. And we invite your first gift to FIRST THINGS to make these plans a reality.
Reordering the arts to the good, the true, and the beautiful can’t wait any longer. You can’t wait any longer.
Make your Spring Campaign gift today.
