Best Of 2016

The ARTery's year in review of arts and culture.

Solange, Beyoncé, Rihanna and Young M.A., clockwise. (AP photos)

How 2016 Became The Year Of The Black Woman Artist

Black music pushed boundaries socially and politically while providing enormous emotional reprieve, writes Candace McDuffie.

Local Coverage

Dec 30, 2016

Lloyd Scwartz looks back at the year in classical happenings. (Courtesy)

What Struck A Chord On The Classical Scene In Boston This Year

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz takes a comprehensive look back at the year from the losses of Phyllis Curtin and Jules Eskin to a new artistic partner at the Boston...

Local Coverage

Dec 28, 2016

Empty house covered by graffiti at 197 Green St., Jamaica Plain, Boston. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

15 Public Art Projects Around Boston 2016 Brought Us

Stuck to walls, through parks, on storefronts, inside subway stations -- some of the most exciting art happened in public this year.

Local Coverage

Dec 28, 2016

Scenes from "Mala," "The Scottsboro Boys," "American Son" and "Fingersmith," clockwise. (Courtesy of the theater companies)

Our Favorite Productions On Local Stages This Year

Our team of theater critics -- Carolyn Clay, Ed Siegel, Jeremy D. Goodwin and Kilian Melloy -- roundup the best productions on local stages in 2016.

Local Coverage

Dec 27, 2016

These six albums are among the best released this year. (Courtesy recording companies)

13 Best Classical Music Recordings Of The Year

From Roomful of Teeth's "Partita for 8 Voices" to Chiara String Quartet's "Bartók, By Heart," critic Keith Powers looks back at the year in classical (in mostly chamber settings) recordings.

Local Coverage

Dec 27, 2016

Scenes from "Moonlight," "Manchester by the Sea," "Certain Women" and "Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids." (Courtesy EPK, Amazon Studios, IFC Films and Netflix)

Our Critics Rank Their 5 Favorite Films This Year

With a wide range of choices, "Manchester by the Sea," "Moonlight" and "Certain Women" show up on more than one list.

Local Coverage

Dec 26, 2016

As the year comes to a close, Ed Siegel has found himself listening to some of his favorites. (Album art courtesy of record companies)

Spending Time Listening To Old Friends In An Uncertain Age

At a time in which the political landscape of the country, if not the world, is frightening, critic Ed Siegel lays out the 10 albums that have soothed his soul....

Local Coverage

Dec 21, 2016

Music critic Amelia Mason runs through the year in music with her favorite albums. (Album art courtesy of the artists)

Our 10 Favorite Pop-ish Albums Of 2016

Each of these albums exist in a world all its own. All deal in the dark fundamentals of the human condition, but taken together, it's striking how much hope they...

Local Coverage

Dec 19, 2016

Critic Lloyd Schwartz's pick of the best poetry books of the year. (Courtesy)

5 Poetry Books With A Boston Connection You Should Read

From Robert Pinsky's "At the Foundling Hospital" to a newly edited version of William Wordsworth's "The Prelude," critic Lloyd Schwartz shares his favorites from 2016.

Local Coverage

Dec 15, 2016

The ARTery's book critics pick out their favorites from the year. (Courtesy)

The Best Books Of 2016

Our team of ARTery book critics share the 20 best reads they had this year.

Local Coverage

Dec 14, 2016

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Best Of 2016

How 2016 Became The Year Of The Black Woman Artist

Local Coverage

What Struck A Chord On The Classical Scene In Boston This Year

Local Coverage

15 Public Art Projects Around Boston 2016 Brought Us

Local Coverage

Our Favorite Productions On Local Stages This Year

Local Coverage

13 Best Classical Music Recordings Of The Year

Local Coverage

Our Critics Rank Their 5 Favorite Films This Year

Local Coverage

Spending Time Listening To Old Friends In An Uncertain Age

Local Coverage

Our 10 Favorite Pop-ish Albums Of 2016

Local Coverage

5 Poetry Books With A Boston Connection You Should Read

Local Coverage

The Best Books Of 2016

Local Coverage

Sections

Radio

Podcasts

CitySpace

Support

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How 2016 Became The Year Of The Black Woman Artist

What Struck A Chord On The Classical Scene In Boston This Year

15 Public Art Projects Around Boston 2016 Brought Us

Our Favorite Productions On Local Stages This Year

13 Best Classical Music Recordings Of The Year

Our Critics Rank Their 5 Favorite Films This Year

Spending Time Listening To Old Friends In An Uncertain Age

Our 10 Favorite Pop-ish Albums Of 2016

5 Poetry Books With A Boston Connection You Should Read

The Best Books Of 2016