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Art:21 — Art in the Twenty-First Century has received extensive press coverage and critical acclaim. A selection of the series’ reviews and feature stories are included below, along with a sample of press highlights.
The New York Times
"Savoring the Slowness of Art at the Speed of Television" by Kay Larson.

"When artists do the talking, something fascinating happens. The world opens up and begins resonating with the unexpected."

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The Seattle Times
"'Art in the 21st Century' is PBS at its best" by Sheila Farr.

"[Art in the Twenty-First Century] is the kind of programming that makes public television shine … If you are one of those who’s been grumping about the miserable state of contemporary art, get ready for an attitude adjustment. The enormous diversity of work that’s quietly being done in our midst, not to mention the smart, articulate, exceptional people who are making it, is sure to turn your head around."

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St. Petersburg Times
"Series gives art a speaking part" by Lennie Bennett.

"You might think it's a bit early to critique 21st century art, with the century only just begun. But Art:21 — Art in the Twenty-First Century is a different kind of visual arts series....You get a sense of the time, frustration, and physical effort that go into art. And you get into the artists' lives and see that they are not so different from the rest of us."

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The Boston Globe
"Art:21' Lets Artists Speak For Themselves" by Christine Temin.

"The producers of the series, Susan Sollins and Susan Dowling, have included artists young, old, male, female, of various races and national backgrounds. They're not merely being PC; they're reflecting the reality of an art scene whose diversity still isn't necessarily reflected by major galleries and museums."

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more press highlights

"The series, starting its third season, is entirely dependant on the artists’ ability to describe their work, as they narrate trips to their studios and exhibition spaces. All prove adept in their means of self-expression… In fact, many artists overcome a particular reticence or general wordlessness, and they obviously enjoy having their say."
The New York Times

"Contemporary art has climbed out of the aesthetic cellar in recent years thanks in part to the PBS documentary series Art:21 — Art in the Twenty-First Century, which focuses exclusively on contemporary visual art and artists in the United States."
New Times – Phoenix, AZ

"Art:21 — Art in the Twenty-First Century is less about bringing regional art to the world than making world-class art known to everyone with a television."
The New Mexican – Santa Fe, New Mexico

"Art:21 — Art in the Twenty-First Century fits in with PBS’s mission to educate, to explain higher cultural purposes."
The New York Times

"In the stew of today’s contemporary art world, the eye of a television camera can sometimes reveal more about art than even an in-the-flesh experience can. The lone voice leading this reformation is the PBS series Art:21 — Art in the Twenty-First Century."
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Art:21 — Art in the Twenty-First Century is back for a third season, resuming its mission to demystify the art world through short interviews with artists as they ply their idiosyncratic magic."
San Jose Mercury News

"Art:21 — Art in the Twenty-First Century helps us understand what motivates 16 thoughtful and articulate artists…With exposure to art limited in the public schools, Art in the Twenty-First Century would be a great chance for young people to connect with what’s happening."
Seattle Times

"When artists talk to you about their work, they expose you to all the wonderful and weird ideas that inspire their creativity."
Georgia Times Union

"Art in the Twenty-First Century – Another PBS Masterpiece...Art:21 — Art in the Twenty-First Century takes viewers into the artists’ lives, unfiltered, for a rare encounter with the creative process in action and an exciting opportunity to hear what cutting-edge creators are thinking about as they work."
USA TODAY

"…by seeing the art and artists on television rather than enshrined in museums, a distorting star power can be diminished…[the artists] are more accessible."
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Art:21 — Art in the Twenty-First Century is well worth watching. It’s the only television series that truly delves into the art world and the greater meaning of art in society."
Georgia Times

"There should be no question in Lincoln about the value of Art:21 — Art in the Twenty-First Century …Art21 has selected a worthy cross-section of artists and is a must-see for anyone in this area who is interested in contemporary art."
JournalStar.com – Lincoln, Nebraska