Art magazines range from broad contemporary art coverage to niche publications focused on specific movements, mediums, or regions

Art magazines deliver criticism, artist interviews, exhibition reviews, and visual essays directly to your home or device. Some focus on fine art and gallery culture; others cover design, photography, illustration, or craft. Subscription options include print-only, digital-only, or combined packages, and prices vary widely depending on the publication's reach and frequency.

The choice between magazines comes down to what kind of art interests you, how often you want to read, and whether you prefer physical copies or digital access. A few major publications dominate the market, but hundreds of smaller, independent titles exist for specific audiences and art forms.

Key Takeaways

  • Major art magazines like Artforum, Art in America, and The Art Newspaper publish monthly or quarterly and cost between $40 and $150 per year for print subscriptions.
  • Niche publications focused on photography, design, illustration, or regional art scenes often cost less and appeal to readers with specific interests.
  • Digital subscriptions are typically cheaper than print and offer immediate access, while print subscriptions arrive on a schedule and take up physical space.
  • Many publications offer discounted introductory rates for first-time subscribers, and some allow you to pause or skip issues rather than cancel entirely.
  • Independent and international art magazines can be ordered directly from publishers or through specialty distributors, often with longer shipping times than major publications.

Major art publications and what they cover

Artforum International publishes monthly and covers contemporary art globally, with a focus on gallery and museum exhibitions, artist interviews, and critical essays. A print subscription costs around $120 per year; digital access through their website is included with print subscriptions but can also be purchased separately at a lower rate.

Art in America publishes 11 times per year and emphasizes American and international contemporary art, with regular features on emerging artists and established figures. Print subscriptions run approximately $60 to $80 per year. The magazine also offers a digital edition and archives of past issues to subscribers.

The Art Newspaper publishes monthly and functions partly as a news publication, covering museum acquisitions, market trends, and exhibition openings alongside critical writing. A print subscription costs roughly $80 to $100 per year and includes digital access.

Flash Art publishes six times per year and focuses on contemporary art, design, and culture with an international perspective. Print subscriptions are typically $60 to $90 per year. The magazine also offers a digital edition and back-issue access.

Specialized magazines for specific art forms and interests

If your interest is narrower than general contemporary art, specialized publications often offer deeper coverage at lower cost. Photography magazines like Aperture, LensWork, and Photograph focus exclusively on the medium, with portfolios, technical essays, and artist profiles. Subscriptions typically range from $40 to $80 per year.

Design and illustration magazines like Eye, Print, and Communication Arts serve designers and illustrators with case studies, trend analysis, and visual inspiration. These subscriptions usually cost $50 to $100 per year. Craft and fine craft publications like Metalsmith and American Craft focus on handmade objects, techniques, and maker communities, with subscriptions around $40 to $60 per year.

Regional and independent art magazines cover local art scenes, emerging galleries, and artists working outside major art centers. These vary widely in cost and frequency but often cost less than national publications—sometimes $30 to $50 per year—and may be available only through direct subscription or specialty art bookstores.

Print versus digital subscriptions

Print subscriptions deliver physical magazines to your mailbox on a regular schedule, usually monthly or quarterly. You own the physical object, can browse without a screen, and can keep back issues on a shelf. Print subscriptions typically cost more than digital and take longer to arrive, especially for international publications. Shipping delays are common, and issues sometimes arrive damaged.

Digital subscriptions offer immediate access to new issues through a website or app, cost less than print, and take up no physical space. You can search past issues and often download articles to read offline. The trade-off is that you do not own the content—if your subscription ends or the publisher changes their digital platform, your access stops. Some readers find reading long-form criticism on a screen tiring, and not all publications offer full digital archives.

Many publications now offer combined subscriptions that include both print and digital access at a price between print-only and digital-only rates. This option works well if you want the physical magazine but also want to read new articles online before the print issue arrives.

How to find and order subscriptions

Most major art magazines accept subscriptions directly through their websites. Look for a "Subscribe" link, usually in the footer or top navigation. You will enter your mailing address, choose print or digital, and pay by credit card. Many publications offer discounted introductory rates—often 40 to 50 percent off the regular price—for first-time subscribers.

Subscription aggregators like Magzter, Scribd, and Apple News+ bundle digital access to hundreds of magazines, including art titles, for a flat monthly or annual fee. This approach is cheaper if you read multiple publications but does not include print copies and may not offer the full archive of every magazine.

Independent and international art magazines can be harder to find. Check the publisher's website first; many accept international orders but charge higher shipping fees. Specialty art bookstores and online retailers like Artbook, Printed Matter, and independent bookstores often stock subscriptions to smaller publications and can order titles not listed online. Expect longer delivery times and higher costs for international subscriptions.

Managing your subscription and understanding renewal terms

Most subscriptions renew automatically at the end of the term unless you cancel. Check your confirmation email for the renewal date and cost. Many publications allow you to log into your account online to view your subscription status, pause issues, skip a month, or update your address without calling customer service.

If you want to cancel, contact the publisher's customer service department—usually through a form on their website or a phone number listed in the magazine. Some publications charge a cancellation fee if you cancel within a certain window; read the terms when you subscribe. If you are unhappy with the magazine, many publishers will offer a refund for unread issues if you cancel within a short period (often 30 days).

Keep your subscription receipts and confirmation emails. If issues stop arriving or you are charged unexpectedly, you will need proof of your subscription to resolve the issue with customer service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a discounted rate if I subscribe to multiple magazines from the same publisher?

Some publishers offer bundle discounts when you subscribe to two or more of their titles at once. Check the publisher's website or contact their customer service to ask about multi-title rates. Subscription aggregators like Magzter also offer lower per-magazine costs when you access multiple titles through one platform.

What happens if my magazine subscription arrives late or an issue goes missing?

Contact the publisher's customer service with your subscription number and the issue date. They can resend a missing issue or extend your subscription by one month to make up for the delay. Keep your confirmation email so you can prove you are a subscriber.

Do art magazine subscriptions include access to back issues and archives?

Print subscriptions do not automatically include archives—you own only the physical copies you receive. Digital subscriptions often include access to back issues, but the depth of the archive varies by publication. Ask before you subscribe if archive access matters to you.

Is it cheaper to buy individual issues at a newsstand or bookstore than to subscribe?

Subscriptions are almost always cheaper per issue than single-copy prices. A magazine that costs $15 per issue at a newsstand will cost roughly $8 to $10 per issue if you subscribe for a year. The savings increase with longer subscription terms.

Can I give an art magazine subscription as a gift?

Yes. Most publishers offer gift subscriptions through their websites. You choose the publication, length of subscription, and recipient's address, then pay. The recipient usually receives a gift notice with the first issue. Gift subscriptions typically cost the same as regular subscriptions and do not auto-renew unless the recipient sets that up themselves.