Provincetown Arts is an annual magazine published in midsummer that focuses on artists, performers and writers who inhabit or visit Lower Cape Cod and the cultural life of the nation's oldest continuous artists' colony in Provincetown. Drawing upon a century-long tradition of art, theater and writing, Provincetown Arts publishes essays, fiction, interviews, journals, poetry, profiles, reporting, reviews and visual features.[2]Provincetown Arts is published by Provincetown Arts Press, Inc., a 501(c)(3)non-profit organization.[3]
History
Provincetown Arts was launched in 1985.[4] It was co-founded by artist Raymond Elman (1985-1990) and the late Christopher Busa, who remained the publisher and editorial director until his passing in 2020. He is the son of painter Peter Busa (1914–1985),[5] who participated in the formative years of Abstract Expressionism and formed a school for painters in Provincetown.
Contributors to the magazine include emerging artists as well as established figures. Its articles mainly cover art, culture, and literature. Articles also feature topics of national interest, including profiles of prominent figures, human interest stories, interviews and book reviews.
Since 2006, the magazine has featured in each issue two cover artists, one visual artist and one writer. There was an exception to this format in 2014, when the magazine focused on the centennial celebration of the Provincetown Art Association and Museum.[6]
From 1986 to the present, Provincetown Arts has received over 100 Pushcart Nominations for Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry. Its Nonfiction ranking in 2016 continues to improve from its 2015 ranking.[7]
1988 Best American Essays
1989 Print Certificate of Design Excellence
1991 Notable Essays of 1990
1991 Best American Poetry
1992 American Literary Magazine Awards: First Place for Editorial Content & Design
1993 Pushcart Prize XVIII: Best of the Small Presses
1993 Best American Poetry
1993 American Literary Magazine Awards: First Place for Editorial Content
1994 Notable Essays of 1993
1994 Editor's Choice IV: Essays from the U.S. Small Press 1978–92
1994 American Literary Magazine Awards: First Place for Editorial Content
1995 Pushcart Prize XX: Best of the Small Presses
1996 American Literary Magazine Awards: Special Mention for Design in 1995
1998 Best American Movie Writing
2002 Distinguished Short Stories of 2001
2003 Pushcart Prize XXIX: Best of the Small Presses
2003 Best American Poetry
2008 Pushcart Prize XXXII: Best of the Small Presses, Special Mention