Seven Arts (literary journal)

Seven Arts was an American literary journal published from November 1916 to October 1917. Conceived and edited by James Oppenheim, with Waldo Frank and Van Wyck Brooks as associate editors, it aimed to foster a distinctly American artistic and intellectual identity, independent of European influences.

The journal championed radical, progressive, and socialist perspectives on art, literature, and politics, providing a platform for emerging and established writers who sought to challenge conventional norms and explore the complexities of American life. Contributors included Sherwood Anderson, Randolph Bourne, Theodore Dreiser, Robert Frost, Amy Lowell, Paul Rosenfeld, and John Reed.

Seven Arts explored themes of social justice, industrialization, the impact of World War I on American society, and the search for a new cultural vision. It featured essays, poetry, short stories, and critical reviews that reflected the editors' and contributors' commitment to artistic experimentation and social reform.

Despite its relatively short lifespan, Seven Arts played a significant role in the development of modern American literature and intellectual thought. Its commitment to artistic freedom and social criticism helped to shape the cultural landscape of the early 20th century and influenced subsequent generations of writers and artists. The journal ceased publication due to financial difficulties and the withdrawal of its patron, Annette Ranken, who disagreed with its increasingly anti-war stance after the United States entered World War I.