You're invited to Party with the Critics: 20 years of Broad Street Review

Dan Rottenberg launched BSR in 2005 as an online arts and culture outlet that welcomed voices you couldn't hear anywhere else. Since then, through three successive editors, our mission has both grown and sharpened, first to focus almost exclusively on the greater Philadelphia area, and then to diversify our arts journalism so that it truly represents our great city, with a disability justice lens that benefits us all.

Over the last 20 years, many other local outlets have cut back their arts coverage, or folded altogether. Not BSR. Thanks to a vibrant, dedicated community of readers, writers, artists, and donors, we're still here, giving Philly's world-class cultural scene the professional coverage it needs, without a paywall.

BSR stands out today.

Now, our team is proud to be recognized by some of the city's top arts leaders.

“Philadelphia is home to a vibrant and distinct arts and cultural sector that deserves to be seen and celebrated,” says Val Gay, the city's chief cultural officer and executive director of Creative Philadelphia. “Broad Street Review provides a vital platform that helps our sector thrive.”

“At a time when arts coverage has declined nationwide, Broad Street Review has remained committed to timely, thoughtful criticism, storytelling, and engagement that uplifts artists and audiences alike," says Patricia Wilson Aden, the president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. "The integrity and relevance of their reporting strengthens our cultural fabric and deepens the public’s connection to and understanding of the arts."

We're also proud to announce that Councilmember Rue Landau will honor BSR with a City Council citation to mark our anniversary at the January 15 event.

Want to join us for the occasion? Get the details and grab your ticket now. It's happening from 6-9pm on Thursday, January 15 at Indy Hall in Northern Liberties, a beautiful space many of our community members already know well. We'll have food and drinks (details to come), a silent auction, a performance by Philly Fringe favorite Chris Davis (of One-Man Nutcracker fame; get your tix), and brief remarks from BSR leaders. But best of all, our community can be together IRL, with all the great conversation that always brings. (Shout-out to our food and beverage sponsor, Aversa PR & Northern Liberties Business Improvement District.)

Join the party, and join the readers who keep us publishing.

If you have been meaning to donate to BSR before year's end, why not get tickets to the party? Those who give at the $100 level will become Friends of BSR for 2026, which means free access to our panels and classes, and invitations to meet with our writers. Already a Friend? A discount code for the party is coming your way.

Nowadays, almost every force is against us as independent journalists, from terrible economic headwinds to national leaders who hate and ridicule us and urge millions of our fellow Americans to do the same. But at BSR, that just makes us more determined to do the work we believe in so much. Join us on January 15, and you'll also join the small but mighty group who will keep us publishing for another year.

Want to get involved or help out? email [email protected].