Sad News From The New York Times

We are deeply saddened by this announcement from The New York Times:

“As of August 29th, The Times will discontinue the regional editions of the Metropolitan section of The New York Times, which includes Connecticut, Westchester, Long Island and New Jersey. Those areas will receive the Metropolitan edition that currently circulates in the five boroughs.” This news hit arts organizations in the Tri-state region like a thunder bolt.

For many years, we have enjoyed The Times’ reviews of local theater productions, critics’ insights into art exhibitions and general coverage of arts and culture in our region. It is important that it continue because it is the major way that nearly 500,000 households get their information on what to do and where to go, not only in Westchester but in the Tri-State region.

There is an explosion of diverse, inclusive, exciting and compelling cultural faire in our county that propels participation in community life. It is important to families, youth and seniors that this survives and thrives with the ideal that the arts are for everyone. The arts and culture bring people together and encourage civic dialogue.

ArtsWestchester, along with business and cultural leaders from Westchester, the Hudson Valley, Connecticut and New Jersey, has asked The Times to reconsider and find a way, perhaps digitally, to continue to report on news from our region. If you believe as we do, that The Times coverage is important, let us know by commenting here. For more information about this issue, we refer you to The Times’ Public Editor Liz Spayd at: public@nytimes.com.