Art Monthly at 50

The Manton Centre presents a discussion between Patricia Bickers, Art Monthly’s editor since 1993, and Gill Hedley, a trustee of the Art Monthly Foundation, to look at its past, present and future in celebration of the magazine’s 500th edition in autumn 2026.

Art Monthly, published by the Art Monthly Foundation, is the UK’s leading magazine of contemporary visual art. Published ten times a year in bold black and white, it keeps readers in touch with the complex and ever-evolving art world through in-depth features, interviews with artists, profiles on emerging artists and coverage of major trends and developments by independent critics.

Founded in 1976, the mission of Art Monthly was and continues to be to support new and challenging art, and to examine the context in which it is made and viewed. The first issue contained an artist’s page by Carl Andre at the height of the co-called ‘Bricks in the Tate’ controversy.

“Art Monthly is a true light in the darkness of these very dark times. I had always thought that the spaces of art and culture were the last remaining spaces of freedom. Sadly, this is not true anymore. Free speech is under attack everywhere. But we must insist that artists will not be intimidated.” Alfredo Jaar, artist

This event is organised by Professor Steve Edwards, Manton Professor of British Art and Director of the Manton Centre for British Art, The Courtauld.