Support local arts journalism

Become a member
Access to content on The Munro Review is free. But by becoming a recurring paid member, you can help support the site. There is also a free membership available. All members get to enter exclusive ticket giveaways to local arts events. Here are the four membership levels:
SUPPORTING MEMBER: $5 a month
SUSTAINING MEMBER: $10 a month
UNDERWRITING MEMBER: $25 a month
Sign upBASIC MEMBER: Free
Donations
If you’d prefer to make a one-time donation, you can do so through Donorbox, which offers a secure way to give using your credit card. You can also donate by check. Make it out to “CMAC” and put “Munro Review” in the memo line. Mail to: The Munro Review, 5180 N. Wishon Ave. #306, Fresno, CA 93704.
DONATE
Details
ADVERTISING: Individuals and organizations can buy single ads at a negotiated rate.
DISCLAIMER: The Munro Review strives to be an independent and opinionated take on the local cultural arts scene. Memberships and sponsorships will not affect the editorial judgments of the site.
Contact
Email: donaldfresnoarts@gmail.com
Welcome to The Munro Review, where it’s all about connecting, sharing and valuing the arts in the central San Joaquin Valley. I hope you can take some time to learn more about this site and what you can do to make it thrive. Here’s a rundown:
Who are you?
I’m Donald Munro, a professional arts journalist. I have degrees from Columbia University and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and spent an academic year doing postgraduate work as a National Arts Journalism Program fellow. I worked at The Fresno Bee for more than 25 years, including 16 of them covering the local arts and culture scene. Now I do the same thing on a non-profit basis without the corporate middleman. I also do some freelance writing/editing and am an adjunct professor in Fresno State’s Department of Media, Communications and Journalism.
What do you cover on The Munro Review?
I offer a curated look at the local scene, with a special emphasis on theater, classical music, visual art, dance, the literary arts and anything else that strikes my fancy. I believe that advance stories on upcoming events are an important part of arts coverage because they can give audience members added background in terms of relating to and connecting with an artistic event. I offer a critical voice through reviews, and I will cover local arts news and notes. I throw in coverage of some of my own interests, too, including travel and books, and unleash Fresno-centric commentary from time to time.
Do other writers contribute?
Occasionally. I’m mostly a one-person show, but I bring in some trusted guest journalists from time to time. As for the future, who knows?
How is the site supported financially?
Your tax-deductible monthly memberships, sponsorships and donations help sustain the site. All funds collected go directly toward expenses for The Munro Review and are processed through the Community Media Access Collaborative (CMAC), acting as the site’s official non-profit fiscal sponsor per IRS regulations. (CMAC also produces my monthly arts TV talk show.) All memberships, sponsorships and donations are tax-deductible.
Is there a paywall?
No. I believe it is important to make arts coverage as accessible as possible. Paid subscriptions would mean fewer readers and opportunities for local arts organizations to reach wide audiences. Instead, the site has what I call “the public radio funding model.” I ask people to sign up for monthly recurring memberships as a way to support local arts journalism. There are several levels from which to choose, including a free membership. Members are eligible to enter ticket giveaways.
Paid members receive an added benefit: They will get the opportunity to sign up for special quarterly Members Events with me. These will include private tours of artist studios, backstage tours at local productions, musical demonstrations by prominent musicians, and art-film screening nights at my house.
I am also actively seeking sponsorships from individuals, businesses and arts organizations — again at different levels of support (and providing various benefits, including display ads). For people who don’t want to commit to a monthly membership, readers can make one-time donations.
Besides becoming a member or sponsor, what else can I do to help?
Spread the word — and my stories. Social media is a key part of reaching my readers. If you’re on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram interact with my content by liking, commenting and sharing. (The more you do that, the kinder the algorithms are to my content.) On Facebook, make it a point to click “see first” on my page under the “Following” drop-down menu; this way you’ll be sure to get all my updates.
And keep me posted on the busy arts scene. I try to stay on top of things, but it always helps to remind me of interesting events and story ideas. I can’t say that I’ll cover everything, but I can try.

Sponsor levels
Sponsorships are a good option for arts organizations, businesses and individuals who want to support The Munro Review with a tax-deductible contribution and also get some exposure in the arts community. Here are the levels:
BRONZE: $50 a quarter. Includes listing on sponsor page, one display sponsored message in The Munro Review’s weekly email newsletter (now reaching 700 people), and one week of a one-column sponsored message (based on a three-column grid) on the home and story-level pages of the newly redesigned website.
SILVER: $100 a quarter. Includes listing on sponsor page, two weeks of newsletter display sponsored messages, two weeks of a one-column sponsored message, and one week of a banner sponsored message on home and story-level pages.
GOLD: $200 a quarter. Includes listing on sponsor page, four newsletter display sponsored messages, four weeks of a one-column sponsored message and a full-width banner sponsored message on main page and story-level pages, and two weeks of sponsored video placement.
PLATINUM: $400 a quarter. Includes listing on sponsor page plus a Platinum “featured page” with copy and photos provided by sponsor, along with eight newsletter sponsored messages, six weeks of a one-column sponsored message and a full-width sponsored message on main page and story-level pages, four weeks of sponsored video placement, and seven individual days of special full-width, page-dominant display ads on story pages.
Sponsorships