Maddie Browning
Arts Writer
Maddie Browning has covered arts and lifestyle for five years as a multiplatform journalist. She is currently an arts and culture contributor at WBUR, and previously served as arts reporting fellow.
Maddie has also worked as a living/arts and breaking news correspondent at The Boston Globe, a music critic at Boston.com, and a freelance writer for Brookline.News and Business Insider.
Maddie has written about everything from queer bathing scenes in art to a forgotten ‘80s women-led rock band. She also pitched and reported a story for NPR about the inaugural season of Women’s Elite Rugby. The feature aired nationally on All Things Considered.
She graduated from Emerson College with a degree in journalism. Maddie also earned minors in publishing and environmental studies.
Her first recognition for her journalistic work came when she won the 2nd Place Special COVID-19 Coverage Award from the Colorado Student Media Association.
In her free time, Maddie loves checking out new coffee shops with friends and finding gems at local thrift stores.
Recently published
15 art exhibits to check out this spring
From an exploration of how technology can be used for connection to a display of miniature sanctuary cities, WBUR contributor Maddie Browning shares art exhibits that ruminate on community and...
Our favorite local music from January
From a single inspired by larvae squirming in the dirt to a comically enlightening track about waiting on hold with an insurance company, our music critics share their favorite music...
11 art exhibits to explore this winter
From a celebration of a historic artist-in-residence program to photography that explores space and the queer experience, WBUR contributor Maddie Browning shares art exhibitions that examine ideas of self and...
The best local albums of 2025, according to our critics
Even as the amount of music made by both humans and AI exceeds what any listener could possibly consume, a few local artists managed to break through the glut and...
Our favorite local music we heard in November
Two young upstarts and three stalwart favorites provided WBUR's music critics favorite music this month.
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Artist Helina Metaferia infuses solo exhibit 'Syntropy' with research and activism
Metaferia is an Ethiopian American interdisciplinary and research-based artist. Her solo exhibition “Syntropy” is on view at Praise Shadows Art Gallery through Dec. 20. It will also be the final...
Our favorite local music this month
From meditative new chapter from a favorite musician to a '90s alt-rock inspired album that explores the modern age, our music critics share their favorite local new music.
12 art exhibits to explore this fall
From a retrospective of Boston artist Allan Rohan Crite to a showcase of contemporary Indigenous artists, WBUR contributor Maddie Browning shares art exhibitions that consider current injustices and future triumphs.
10 unique cafes to explore in Greater Boston
From a plant shop to a cat sanctuary, WBUR's Maddie Browning visited unique cafes in the area worth exploring.
Our favorite local music from August
From an exclusive song premiere by a Somerville alt-rock band to an album of Hawaiian-inspired exotica, our music critics enjoyed a rich variety of local music this month.