Art is Better Together: A Letter from Our Editorial Director

"I recently picked up Bowling Alone, Robert Putnam's bestselling book about the collapse of community in the U.S. At a whopping 581 pages, this veritable doorstop is a trove of data and insight into our increasingly isolated world. First published in 2000, before the internet exponentially diverted our attention from the physical world, the book reveals what is today common knowledge: we're trending toward individualism rather than real social connection."

"Bowling Alone surfaced from my TBR pile because Christopher and I are writing a book about community art (forthcoming from Artisan in 2027) and have been researching not only artists and projects but also why so many people, us included, have become increasingly interested in artworks that are social in nature. There are many reasons why community art has flourished in recent decades, but it seems apparent to me that one reason is the decline in the kinds of organizations and clubs Putnam studied."

The collapse of community in the U.S. has produced increasing isolation and a shift toward individualism, intensified since 2000 and by the rise of the internet. Declines in membership-based organizations and clubs have reduced routine social interactions that once sustained civic bonds. Community art has flourished in recent decades as people seek interactive, socially focused experiences that foster connection. Art and self-expression create opportunities to bind individuals across differences and to cultivate shared meaning. Colossal centers its work on showcasing the breadth of human creativity and on projects that illuminate personal experiences while resonating universally. Only 1% of readers financially support Colossal, so member contributions are essential to sustain publishing and pay writers.

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