Broad Street Review Writers Celebrate Readers' Support

BSR contributors express gratitude for the community's quick response to the Readers Decide fundraising campaign.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:37pm

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An abstract, impressionistic scene of museum visitors examining artwork through a hazy, out-of-focus lens, conveying the mood of community engagement with the arts.The Broad Street Review's community of readers has rallied to support the publication's vital arts and culture coverage in Philadelphia.Philadelphia Today

In the wake of Broad Street Review's successful Readers Decide campaign, which raised over $10,000 to support the local arts and culture publication, several BSR writers shared their appreciation for the community's generosity. The writers highlighted how the reader-funded model provides a crucial lifeline for independent journalism and arts coverage in the Philadelphia region, especially as traditional media outlets continue to struggle.

Why it matters

The Readers Decide campaign demonstrated the deep connection between BSR and its loyal readership, who value the publication's role in amplifying diverse voices and perspectives on the local arts and cultural scene. With traditional media outlets facing ongoing challenges, the outpouring of support for BSR underscores the importance of community-driven journalism that can withstand the threats facing the industry.

The details

The Readers Decide campaign, which ran from March 1 to March 31, 2026, aimed to close a spring funding gap for Broad Street Review, Philadelphia's leading independent arts and culture publication. Several BSR writers, including theater and museum critic An Nichols, film and features writer Stephen Silver, critic and essayist Cass Lewis, emerging theater writer Anna Fiscarelli-Mintz, theater critic Jill Ivey, art and museum writer Pamela J. Forsythe, and essayist Julien Suaudeau, expressed their gratitude for the readers' quick and generous response. The writers highlighted how BSR's coverage provides a vital platform for independent artists and smaller cultural institutions, as well as an antidote to the 'hair-on-fire world' of modern media.

  • The Readers Decide campaign ran from March 1 to March 31, 2026.
  • The campaign successfully raised over $10,000 to support Broad Street Review's spring and summer coverage.

The players

Broad Street Review

An independent arts and culture publication based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

An Nichols

A theater and museum critic who contributes to Broad Street Review.

Stephen Silver

A film and features writer who has contributed to Broad Street Review for about 10 years.

Cass Lewis

A critic and essayist who contributes to Broad Street Review.

Anna Fiscarelli-Mintz

An emerging theater writer who contributes to Broad Street Review.

Jill Ivey

A theater critic who contributes to Broad Street Review.

Pamela J. Forsythe

An art and museum writer who contributes to Broad Street Review.

Julien Suaudeau

An essayist who contributes to Broad Street Review.

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What they’re saying

“I am very grateful to have it as an outlet, and also as a community, one that provides the sort of coverage that no one else in town is doing.”

— Stephen Silver, Film and features writer

“Your support makes a tremendous impact, not just on my livelihood, but also in our community and in our region.”

— Cass Lewis, Critic and essayist

“Thank you for deciding to make BSR's important work, and thus the irreplaceable service it provides to Philly's smaller-scale artists, sustainable!”

— Anna Fiscarelli-Mintz, Emerging theater writer

“If local media goes away, who will report on local issues? How will we read about them?”

— Julien Suaudeau, Essayist

“It says a lot about both the faith in the editors but also the bond with BSR. We're not just guessing and hoping readers are out there, but it feels more like we're reporting back to friends.”

— Walt Maguire, Reviewer and reporter

What’s next

Broad Street Review is still working toward a total goal of $15,000 to fund its spring and summer coverage. Readers can make additional donations of any size on the publication's website.

The takeaway

The outpouring of support for Broad Street Review during the Readers Decide campaign demonstrates the vital role that community-driven journalism plays in preserving independent arts and culture coverage, especially as traditional media outlets continue to struggle. The writers' gratitude underscores how reader-funded models can provide a sustainable future for local publications that amplify diverse voices and perspectives.