Organizer Information:

The Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) hosts this fellowship. Supported by Critical Minded, the fellowship honors Irene Yamamoto (1937–2020), a production artist and lifelong arts lover who was incarcerated during WWII.

Title & Description:

The 4th Annual Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship awards two emerging writers of color who write critically about visual art. The program seeks to elevate perspectives that differ from dominant Eurocentric narratives, enriching cultural criticism by supporting voices from marginalized communities.

Category:

Art Writing & Criticism.

(Focus: Nonfiction visual art reviews, essays, and cultural commentary).

Eligibility:

  • Demographics: Must be a US citizen or resident, at least 18 years old.
  • Identity: Must identify as a person of color (ancestry in the original peoples of Africa, Asia, the Americas, Oceania, or Pacific Islands).
  • Experience: Emerging writers with less than two years of publication experience (includes blogs/self-publishing).
  • Exclusions: Immediate relatives of JANM/Democracy Center employees or funders are ineligible. Creative writing (poetry/fiction) is not supported.

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Grant: A $5,000 USD unrestricted award for each of the two fellows.
  • Platform: Opportunity to publish a review on the Democracy Center blog and deliver a public talk at JANM.
  • Flexibility: Funds are unrestricted and can be used for living expenses or career advancement.

Application Requirements (via CaFÉ):

  1. Cover Letter: Introduction, mission, and how the funds will be used (<1,000 words).
  2. Biography: Background and writing interests (<500 words).
  3. Resume/CV.
  4. Writing Samples: 1–3 previously published nonfiction samples (Total <3,000 words). Note: Podcast/video transcripts or interviews are not accepted.

Key Dates & Timeline:

DateMilestone
March 5, 2026Virtual Info Session #2 (1:30 PM PST)
March 16, 2026Application Deadline (11:59 PM PST)
June 15, 2026Awardees Notified

Location:

Remote / USA-based.

How to Apply?

Applications must be submitted through the CaFÉ (Call for Entry) portal.

Contact Information:

Email: democracycenter@janm.org