Organizer Information
The Art Guide New Writers’ Program 2026 is jointly developed by Art Guide Australia and the Emerging Writers’ Festival (EWF), two leading platforms supporting contemporary writing, criticism, and cultural discourse in Australia.
Art Guide Australia is a major national publication dedicated to contemporary art criticism, exhibition reviews, and cultural journalism. It plays a key role in shaping public discourse around visual arts in Australia, providing critical coverage of artists, exhibitions, and broader cultural developments.
Emerging Writers’ Festival is Australia’s largest celebration of emerging writers. It is dedicated to supporting new literary voices through mentorship, workshops, publishing opportunities, and professional development programs across fiction, nonfiction, and cultural writing.
Together, the two organizations aim to strengthen the ecosystem of art criticism and cultural writing by supporting early-career writers and expanding access to editorial publication pathways.
Title & Description
Art Guide New Writers’ Program 2026 – Year-Long Mentorship for Emerging Art Writers and Critics
The Art Guide New Writers’ Program is a 12-month professional development and publication program designed to support emerging writers in the field of contemporary art criticism and cultural journalism.
The programme selects three early-career writers from different Australian states or territories to work directly with the editorial team of Art Guide Australia. Participants will develop and publish three major written works, including an interview-based feature and an exhibition response, alongside opportunities to pitch independent article ideas.
The initiative focuses on strengthening critical writing skills within real editorial workflows, offering participants hands-on experience in publishing, editing, and professional art journalism. Writers will engage in structured mentorship, collaborative editing processes, and editorial feedback while contributing published work to a national arts platform.
The program also includes an online workshop focused on writing about art, facilitated by experienced editors and contributors, designed to introduce participants to critical writing methods, narrative strategies, and publication standards.
Categories
- Writing
- Art Writing
- Art Critic
- Journalism
- Visual Arts
- Cultural Studies
- Editorial Practice
- Curatorial Writing (critical response)
Eligibility
- Early-career or emerging writers based in Australia
- Open to writers from all age groups (no age limit)
- Must have 1–4 previously published works (including blogs or newsletters; maximum one non-traditional publication allowed)
- Strong interest in writing about contemporary art and culture for general audiences
- Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged
- Must not have previously published in Art Guide Australia
- Academic writers must demonstrate motivation for transitioning into public-facing writing
- Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between this program and their long-term writing practice
Program Benefits & Awards
- A 12-month structured writing mentorship program
- Editorial guidance from the Art Guide Australia editorial team
- Publication of three commissioned articles, including:
- One interview-based feature
- One exhibition response
- One independently pitched article
- Paid publication rate (0.80 c/word)
- Direct experience in editorial collaboration and professional publishing workflows
- Participation in an online writing workshop led by senior editors
- National-level exposure in a leading Australian art publication
- Professional development in art criticism and cultural journalism
- Opportunity to build a long-term portfolio in arts writing
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- A brief cover letter
- One-page CV
- Writing sample (maximum 1000 words)
Cover letter must include:
- Engagement with art and cultural writing
- Motivation for joining the programme
- One proposed article idea suitable for Art Guide Australia
The writing sample should demonstrate:
- Critical thinking
- Art writing ability
- Analytical and narrative clarity
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 30 April 2026
- Program duration: 12 months (year-long programme)
Location
Australia
Additional Details
- The program aims to reflect geographic and cultural diversity across Australia
- Strong emphasis on supporting underrepresented voices in art writing
- Participants will work closely with professional editors in real publication conditions
- Writers gain experience in both commissioned and pitch-based editorial workflows
- Program bridges editorial training with real-world publication opportunities
- Designed to address shrinking platforms for long-form art criticism
- Focus on developing sustainable careers in cultural journalism and art criticism