About

Hi! I’m Rebecca Johnson, a writer, editor, and media relations expert focusing on the arts. Arts Articulated is my company. Here’s a little bit more about me, including some of things I’ve done in more than two decades of professional experience.

Arts Writing
In recent years, I’ve written for arts outlets Sightlines magazine, Alcalde magazine, Arts Next magazine, Conspirare: A Company of Voices, the Blanton Museum of Art, the Harry Ransom Center, and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum. I ran the blog Arts Around Austin, covering the visual arts, music, theatre, and more. It’s now the blog for my company.

Magazine Editor
From 2001 to January 2020, I was editor of StarDate magazine. In addition to writing 2,500-word features, shorter news pieces, and columns, I negotiated contracts with freelance writers and edited their work. I acquired graphics, checked copyrights, and collaborated intensively with the Art Director and printer. I also helped with marketing.

Media Relations
I was the Communications Manager for UT Austin’s McDonald Observatory from 2001 to August 2022. On the freelance front, I handled PR for Texas Folklife from 2020 to 2022, worked publicity for the 2022 Indie Meme Film Festival, and have written freelance press releases and articles for various UT Austin colleges and departments.

In the course of my career, I’ve written dozens of news releases (often in collaboration with national or international partner organizations) and pitched countless stories to local, national and international media. I’ve placed stories in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and on National Public Radio, as well as in national magazines, on major news websites, and in all of Texas’ major daily newspapers. I’ve worked with local television news as well as national and international networks to plan and supervise on-location filming. Collaborations include the BBC, CNN, Google, the History Channel, and others.

I’ve organized press conferences, created and maintained a news website and image gallery, and helped to re-brand an organization (including logo design). I introduced and still manage social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram). I’ve organized two state-wide speakers’ series, working with museums in major cities. I’ve created content for an iPhone application. I also conceived and wrote an exhibit for the Bullock Texas State History Museum.

Education
I have a master’s degree in journalism from Texas A&M, and bachelor’s degrees in journalism and English from UT Austin. I also enjoy continuing education. In addition to courses on art history and culture from MoMA, Yale, and MIT, I have completed several certificate courses in arts communication through Sotheby’s Institute of Art.

Affiliations
I’m a member of Americans for the Arts, Women Communicators of Austin, and Freelance Austin.