artnet News has appointed Ben Davis as the publication’s National Art Critic. In this new role, a one-of-a-kind position in the country, Mr. Davis will cover the best shows at major museums and galleries across the United States.

“It’s a national brief, to cover the most important exhibitions anywhere,” said Benjamin Genocchio, artnet News Editor-in-Chief. “We care a lot about art here and take art criticism seriously, and this appointment is a reflection of that commitment, as Ben is one of the best younger critics in the country. We want to give him the platform he deserves to bring his work to the attention of a wider audience, nationwide.”

Ben Davis got his start writing about art when he covered general culture for the Queens Courier in 2004. From 2005 to 2010 he served as associate editor of artnet Magazine, one of the pioneering art publications on the web, going on to serve as executive editor of Artinfo.com. In 2013 a collection of his essays, 9.5 Theses on Art and Class, was published by Haymarket Books, and received wide critical acclaim, including a nomination for Best Work of Criticism from the International Association of Art Critics. His writings have appeared in many publications, including Art Papers, ArtReview, Frieze, New York, Slate, the Village Voice, among others. Currently he is a critic in residence at Montclair State University.

In early 2014 he joined the staff of artnet News as a senior writer, with a focus on writing art criticism.

“I’m incredibly excited for my new role as National Art Critic for artnet News,” Davis said. “This is a unique opportunity, and illustrates a tremendous commitment, on the part of this publication, to exploring what art criticism can be.”