In this thesis I will examine multivalent platforms and discursive spaces embodied by contemporary art publications through the analysis of recent publications that are produced in conjunction with a broader initiative. Through artists’ interviews, artists’ writing, and the opinions of young marginalized artists, 1970s alternative publications Avalanche, Art-Rite, and REAL LIFE Magazine advocated for social critique from a stance within art criticism. Following this historical trajectory, I will evaluate the critical programs of contemporary alternative publications that utilize feminist and political theoretical frameworks as well as original editorial modes to provoke authentic cultural change. LTTR, Chto delat ?, and Pages exemplify an evolved sense of social responsibility within artist-run culture and positive instances of collaboration across a diverse range of communities. Within a focus on visual art practice, these publications highlight contemporary critical debates and aim to evoke a genuine response through the raising of intellectual consciousness.