Arts Writing Fellowship
Overview
Jointly overseen by The Prior Performing Arts Center and The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Gallery, Art Notes features short, singular perspectives on multidisciplinary arts events at Holy Cross and in the region. Employing a variety of written formats and critical approaches, writers’ contributions are typically exploratory rather than evaluative, aiming to draw out art’s resonances for a general audience. A dynamic new element of the arts ecosystem at Holy Cross, Art Notes invites lively discourse on the arts of our day.
The mainstay of the journal are 1,000-word pieces on arts events at Holy Cross and in the region, the core of which are produced by a cohort of Arts Writing Fellows representing the academic arts units of Creative Writing, Music, Theatre & Dance, and Visual Arts.
Note: while Fellows must be majors in one of these units (or, in the case of Creative Writing only, minors or concentrators), students from all majors are welcome and encouraged to submit to the journal.
The Fellows will receive mentoring and editorial feedback during the writing and editing process from Prior Interim Director Kyle Frisina and Cantor Director Lauren Szumita, as well as opportunities for professional development and external networking. Their contributions to the journal will enrich the conversation around arts programming at and beyond Holy Cross and strengthen the commitment to the arts within the Holy Cross community.
Fellows receive:
- $500 stipend ($250 per semester)
- Opportunity to publish several pieces each semester
- Editorial feedback and mentoring
- At least one (1) professional development opportunity per semester (e.g, meeting with professional arts writers and editors)
- Exposure to current conversations in contemporary art criticism and to other professional, writing-based opportunities in the arts
- Writing assignment rubrics that cover the critical exercise
Fellowship expectations:
- A one-year commitment to the Fellowship (see below re: spring 2025).
- Research, write, and revise three to four (3-4) 1,000-word pieces of critical reflection per semester
- Serve as members of the Art Notes Editorial Board led by Prior Interim Director and Cantor Director; attend approximately two (2) meetings per semester to review and recommend journal submissions
- Attendance at professional development events, typically two (2) per year
Fellowship qualifications:
- Current sophomore, junior, or senior
- Strong writing skills
- Eagerness to deepen understanding of arts journalism and writing craft
- Close attention to detail
- Timely and professional communication over email and in person
- Cross-disciplinary enthusiasm for the arts
- Ability to attend at least 4 arts events per semester
- Ability to attend occasional professional development events with Fellowship cohort
More about the writing and editing process
Art Notes aims to cover a broad range of performing arts, creative writing, and visual arts on campus and in the region. Fellows will propose event coverage and/or other arts topics (interviews, think pieces, process documentation, etc) to Editors and, with their guidance, map out a diverse slate of assignments each semester. Each published piece will receive up to two rounds of editing. Most finished texts will be short pieces of critical reflection typically averaging around 1,000 words each.
Application: Due January 17, 2025
Please submit a brief application and writing sample by January 17.
Note: Fellowship applicants must be majors (or, in the case of Creative Writing, minors or concentrators) in Creative Writing, Music, Theatre & Dance, or Visual Arts. In spring 2025, the commitment will be for one semester only; Fellows will accordingly be stipended $250.