One thing that you quickly notice as you repeatedly go to press previews is that the arts and culture press corps tends to skew older.
That doesn’t line up with the audience mix that venues say they want to reach. Museums and other cultural organizations & institutions say that they want younger, more diverse visitors, but this desire falls flat when many of the people covering the events are from different generations that have their own ways of communicating the meaning of an artistic performance or exhibition.
While experienced critics are still crucial to the integrity of arts and culture, what we need is a way to support those who want to cover art, culture, and design events as a member of the press, but don’t know how to get started.
Knowing how press access works isn’t easy because no one explains how it operates. And then, once you have that access, how do you write about cultural works with authority?
That’s why we’ve created Become the Media.
Who This Is For
- People 18-35, from beginners to those with a following but no experience as a member of the press
- Neither bylines nor large followings are necessary
- Writers, creators, and students who want to advance from posting about culture to covering it
- Anyone who wants to review exhibitions, film, fashion, design, or performances
What We Will Work On
- Getting into the room. You’ll learn things like how to request press credentials, who to contact, and how to behave once you’re there.
- How to write and talk about the work once you’re inside. We’ll discuss how to describe what you saw, how to build an argument, and how to not regurgitate a press release. We will work in whatever form suits you, be that written, audio, or video reviews
How To Start
In our initial one-hour virtual consultation, we will:
- Talk about where you currently are
- Discuss what you want to cover
- Figure out your obstacles
You will send a work sample ahead of our consultation, if you have one. Within 48 hours, you’ll receive your written plan that includes your next steps.
If you choose the option to set up sessions after the initial consultation, you can:
- Schedule individual one-hour sessions
- Receive special pricing for a bundle of three
Bundles are good for people working towards something specific like a first pitch, credential request, or anything similar.
Pricing
- Initial Consultation: $85
- Follow-up Sessions: $95
- Bundle of three follow-up sessions: $255 (save $30); must use within three months
Who Will Be Helping You?
Liberty Imhoff is the Founder and Creative Principal of Manic Metallic, a fashion + culture media company for people who like solutions. Her work as a journalist and critic examines fashion, art, culture, and design through the lens of power, cultural diversity, history and politics. She is the author of Alternative Fashion Capitals: A Survey of Twenty Cities of Emerging Thought Leadership (2021).
She has provided coverage as an accredited journalist at art fairs, exhibitions, film festivals, trade shows and other industry events. She’s held press credentials at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, Studio Museum, New Museum, TEFAF, Frieze, The Armory Show, Independent Art Fair, Tribeca Festival, and BlackStar Film Festival, among others.
Liberty hosts “The Manic Metallic Podcast” and publishes The Manic Metallic Substack Newsletter, using both platforms to advance critical conversation and surface concrete solutions pertaining to fashion, art, culture, and design. She has participated in speaking engagements at universities and on panels, and previously served as a board member of Fashion Group International’s Philadelphia chapter.
Other Notes
- Become the Media is a consultation service.
- It doesn’t include publication on Manic Metallic.
- We cannot guarantee press credentials, invitations, or introductions. Access depends on the outlet, institution, and your own work.
Logistics
- Sessions will use Google Meet, and you will be sent a link before each meeting takes place.
- All sessions are non-refundable.
- Rescheduling requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
Interested?
Email sales@manicmetallic.com to set up your one-hour consultation.
In your email, give us a short bio along with what you want to cover. We will then send you a payment link. Once we receive your payment, we’ll schedule your consultation and you can send us a work sample, if you have one.
**If cost is a barrier, reach out and ask us about options.