Alta Wins in Criticism, Illustration, Commentary, and More at the National A&E Journalism Awards

It’s always an honor to be a finalist, but it sure does feel good to win—and that’s just what happened for Alta Journal this past Sunday evening at the Los Angeles Press Club’s 17th annual National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards. Honoring “the best arts and entertainment reporting the nation has to offer,” the club’s National A&E Journalism Awards ceremony was held December 1 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

Explore this roundup of Alta’s arts and entertainment coverage wins for work published from July 2023 to June 2024.

First-place wins

• Book Critic: David L. Ulin
• Illustration: Mark Smith, Alta Journal, “The Missing Mouseketeer”
• Page Layout: Brent Hatcher and John Goecke, Alta Journal, Alta Folio, Issue 27, Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa
• General News: Ruby McConnell, Alta Journal, “The Missing Mouseketeer”
• Diversity in the Music/Performing Arts/Arts Industry: Lynell George, Alta Journal, “A Reissued Novel Offers a Rare Look at Black Bohemian Life”
• Personality Profile, Music and Other Arts—Over 2,500 Words: Jeff Kaliss, Alta Journal, “Alta Q&A: ‘Heart Like a Wheel’”
• Visual Arts/Architecture Feature—Under 1,000 Words: Jennifer Lewis, Alta Journal, “The High Desert’s Funkiest Art Gallery”
• Visual Arts/Architecture Feature—Over 1,000 Words: Jessica Zack, Alta Journal, “The Art of Participation”
• Commentary Analysis/Trend, Film: Jennet Conant, Alta Journal, “The Cautionary Tale of J. Robert Oppenheimer”

Second-place wins

Third-place wins

• Book Critic: Anita Felicelli
• Business, TV/Streaming: Ruby McConnell, Alta Journal, “The Missing Mouseketeer”
• Business, Theater/Performing Arts Related: Tim Greiving, Alta Journal, “The Force Is with Him”
• Business, Tech/Design/Arts Related: Meg Bernhard, Alta Journal, “Wonderhussy to the Rescue”
• Obituary/In Appreciation, Film Personalities: Tom Zito, Alta Journal, “Look Back on Anger”
• Obituary/In Appreciation, TV Personalities: Michael Gerber, Alta Journal, “Goodbye, Mr. Quips”
• Music/Performing Arts Industry Feature—Over 1,000 Words: Tim Greiving, Alta Journal, “The Force Is with Him”
• Commentary Analysis/Trend, Other Arts: Jim Lewis, Alta Journal, “Accepting AI’s Inevitability”
• Celebrity Feature, Online: Michael Gerber, Alta Journal, “Will the Real Steve Martin Please Stand Up?”

“We’re absolutely thrilled by this recognition for the truly excellent work of Alta’s writers, photographers, illustrators, and designers,” said Alta editorial director Blaise Zerega. “Congratulations to all the winners!”

See the full list of LAPC National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards here.•