ARTS JOURNALISM IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OF THE 21ST CENTURY: AN ANALYTICAL LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive analytical review of scholarly research devoted to the phenomenon of arts journalism in the 21st century. The problem statement lies in the growing role of cultural and communicative processes in modern society and the transformation of the functions of cultural journalism under the influence of digital technologies. In the age of multimedia and interactivity, arts journalism is no longer limited to evaluating artistic works but increasingly acts as a key factor in shaping public discourse, aesthetic orientations, and cultural identity. The analysis of recent studies and publications demonstrates that in Ukrainian academia, the issues of cultural and arts journalism have been examined by O. Ivanova, L. Marjina, A. Pylypenko, K. Pyrohova, and O. Harmatii, who analyze genre specificity, communicative functions, and trends in media culture. Among foreign researchers, significant contributions have been made by G. Harries, K. Wahl-Jørgensen, M. Jaakkola, H. Hellman, and E. Alessandri, who explore the changing role of the critic, the digitalization of cultural journalism, and its interaction with audiences. The purpose of the article is to systematize contemporary scholarly approaches to the study of arts journalism, to define its terminological boundaries, and to analyze the key trends of its development in the 21st century. In the main body, the conceptual and categorical framework of the study is clarified, and the terms cultural journalism, arts journalism, art criticism, and media culture are differentiated. Four main research directions are identified: the transformation of the critic’s role in the digital era, changes in the genre structure of arts journalism, the economic dimensions of cultural media, and the interaction between journalists and audiences. It is observed that both Ukrainian and international studies examine arts journalism in relation to literature, theatre, music, and visual culture. The author systematizes scholars’ views on the impact of digitalization, the growth of blog-based formats, multimedia storytelling, and the increasing participation of users in the creation of cultural content. The conclusions emphasize that contemporary arts journalism performs not only analytical and critical functions but also serves as an important element of cultural policy and the communicative ecosystem. Its study requires an interdisciplinary approach that integrates journalism, cultural studies, social communications, and media research. Further investigations should focus on the development of digital art-communication formats, the interaction between journalists, artists, and audiences, as well as the formation of new ethical and professional standards within the sphere of cultural media