Ask the Arts Editor

Sam Sifton, the NY Times culture editor is taking reader questions all week at NYTimes.com. So let him know what you feel about Times arts coverage. You can also read his answers so far.

Here's one interesting piece of NYTimes history he offers, about the ordering of the Arts & Leisure sections:

In part, the past is the culprit: "Arts & Leisure" was once the "Sunday Drama Section," where Broadway -- and, presumably, Broadway advertising -- was king. (The front page always delivered a Brooks Atkinson theater review or essay, along with a caricature by the great Al Hirschfeld and a film review by Bosley Crowther -- what great names they all had!) Theater's place in Arts & Leisure probably reflects that history.

Yup, there once was a big thick Sunday Drama Section. Albeit still dominated by B'way advertising. Still.