An Arts Magazine? In Seattle?

The Puget Sound Business Journal has a story on the upcoming launch of two new free monthly arts magazines. This July, Encore Media Group will actually have three city arts monthlies under its hood; City Arts Tacoma has been bi-monthly since 2006.

We actually know EMG's head honcho, Paul Heppner, from our time in the arts. We used to have to negotiate with him. ("You're killing your father, Larry!" we'd shout, but it didn't faze him.) EMG has been printing arts programs for the Opera, Symphony, Ballet, Rep, ACT, and Intiman (to name just a few) for...let's see...carry the three...40 years. Besides City Arts Tacoma working out, we're pretty sure their success printing a cross-program insert, "Inside ENCORE," is what's led to this bold move.

We say "bold" because arts-only magazines in Seattle have a long and storied history--collectively. Singly, that history is shorter and tends to involve high ideals and sinking balances in bank accounts. We were involved in one 6-month enterprise, and can vouch for the under-capitalized part. Any arts magazine start-up faces a very competitive ad-dollar marketplace, but EMG has the business model, resources, and relationships already in place. That could make the difference.

This morning, EMG sent us an email about the new developments, and announced their staff:

City Arts has assembled an amazing editorial staff that has a finger on the pulse of our local communities and is prepared to uncover a whole new world of arts, culture and creativity. They include Publisher Terry Coe, Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Hirsch, Associate Editors Tim Appelo, Jessica Corey-Butler and Bond Huberman, and Art Director Victoria Culver.

City Arts Seattle will have a monthly run of 30,000, with City Arts Tacoma and City Arts Eastside coming in at 15,000 each. You'll be able to pick a copy up free at museums, galleries, coffee shops, and the usual-suspect retail spots.