News: ArtsATL Editor at Large Jim Farmer wins national arts journalism award

ArtsATL Editor at Large Jim Farmer recently received honors at the Los Angeles Press Club’s National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards on December 4, 2022. Farmer earned first place for Best Theater Feature for his American Theatre article titled “Immersive Theatre That Left Scars: Behind the Collapse of Serenbe Playhouse.” He began covering the topic for ArtsATL and later that year published a separate piece on the company in American Theatre. 

“The story was a continuation, of sorts, on the reporting I had done for ArtsATL on the demise of the theater company,” Farmer noted. 

Farmer was additionally nominated for Online Journalist of the Year based on pieces written for ArtsATL, including his reporting on the TV show Ozark and the Suzi Bass Awards controversy, as well as his review of As One, performed by the Atlanta Opera. 

“We are proud of Jim and this is a well-deserved honor,” said Scott Freeman, executive editor of ArtsATL. “To win Best Theater Feature while also being a finalist for Online Journalist of the Year for his work with ArtsATL are great accomplishments. Jim has proven himself to be one of the best arts journalists in the country.”

Along with his partner, Craig, Farmer enjoyed a quick trip to Los Angeles for the awards, flying in on Sunday prior to the event and back out on Monday. The traveling was worth it, as the journalist was able to connect with two of his personal favorites in entertainment: Marla Gibbs [of The Jeffersons] and Alfred Molina, whose work he “has adored” since Prick Up Your Ears in 1987.  

Farmer said he was “honored and proud” and expressed gratitude for these and other opportunities in arts journalism. “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and a big thanks to Rob Weinert-Kendt of American Theatre and to Scott Freeman and [executive director] Patti Siegel of ArtsATL for letting me write stories that mean a lot to me,” he said.

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