Founding Story & Commitment To Honest Writing
Forge & Canvas started because every search for 'is AI killing art' turned up the same recycled listicles, written by nobody in particular, sourced from nowhere in particular. We wanted something a Sheffield reader could trust because they could check it themselves.
So we built a small editorial process around named sources: every artist or researcher we quote is interviewed directly, every claim gets checked by a second editor before it goes out, and nothing runs without a byline attached to a real person.
We kept the reader-first habits going after launch: no sponsored posts dressed up as independent writing, a dated correction log instead of quietly edited pieces, and an open comment section under every essay we publish.
Named Sources Only
We would rather run a shorter piece than quote someone who won't put their name to it. Readers can check who said what and when.
Local Before National
A Sheffield gallery opening gets covered before a wire story about AI art elsewhere. We think the local angle usually has the sharper detail.
Open About Mistakes
When we get something wrong we say so in the piece itself, dated and explained. The correction log stays public, not buried.
How We Keep Standards Up
Every piece gets a second editor's read before it's scheduled, and any claim without a named source gets cut rather than softened. We keep a dated correction log instead of quietly editing a published piece.