On September 16, 2026, Grace Ebert, Editorial director, Colossal, published a letter that makes a clear case for art made by humans, for humans. Framed by a moment in which The New York Times asked dozens of 10-year-olds to imagine 2050\u2014visions that ranged from a woman finally becoming U.S. president and universal pet foxes to world wars, monarchic rule, embedded brain sensors, and even the end of human civilization\u2014the letter confronts how often A.I. now anchors our collective future-thinking.<\/p>\n
Ebert argues that A.I.\u2019s rapid expansion has intensified anxieties and, for artists, illustrators, designers, and writers, threatens not just livelihoods but \u201cthe very substance of our humanity.\u201d The point, she writes, isn\u2019t whether a bot can achieve technical polish, but what is lost when we outsource the human technology of making meaning. Art, for her, remains an act that fosters empathy and connection\u2014and, as she\u2019s learned over the past seven years in conversation with thousands of creative people, an act of faith that invites others to participate in hope.<\/p>\n
Colossal, she notes, operates on generosity rather than algorithms: a devoted team of just four people handles everything by hand, from selecting images and writing headlines to compiling the daily newsletter. The goal is to put a wide array of readers\u2014including students, educators, fellow creatives, and art appreciators\u2014in contact with work they may not otherwise encounter. Embracing \u201cfriction,\u201d Ebert writes, is central to supporting the artists and illustrators who share their dreams.<\/p>\n
That intentional process, however, requires resources. Less than 0.5% of the magazine\u2019s weekly readership currently contributes financially. Ebert states that reaching 1% would cement Colossal\u2019s long-term survival and sustain the celebration of unbridled human creativity that has defined the publication for the last 16 years.<\/p>\n
Becoming a Colossal Member is presented as both an act of generosity and a direct line to the work that matters. Membership is available at $7\/month or $75\/year, with benefits that include:<\/p>\n
The letter appears alongside a credit to Marija Tiurina, \u001cForward Together\u001d (2022), created for Rexenera Festival in Carballo, Spain\u2014an apt reminder of the living artists and public contexts that Colossal continues to champion. Ebert signs off simply: with hope.<\/p>\n