EWF & Art Guide Australia present: Art Guide New Writers’ Program. Read for full details and how to apply!

Our friends at Art Guide recognise the important contribution of writers and critics to the conversations and ideas that are shaping culture. As well as the need to foster the breadth and depth of potential voices during a moment in which there are fewer places for thoughtful and sustained perspectives on Australian art and artists.

That is why they have partnered with the Emerging Writers’ Festival to launch the Art Guide New Writers’ Program. This year-long program offers three early-career art and culture writers the opportunity to hone their critical thinking skills and knowledge in the context of publication, and to develop the ability to collaborate with editors and be compensated for their work.

The program, which aims to reflect the country’s geographical and cultural diversity, will nominate writers across three different states/territories. Applications are open now and close at midnight on April 30.

Art Guide and the Emerging Writers’ Festival will also offer an online workshop on writing about art facilitated by editor-at-large Neha Kale and the Art Guide editorial team. The workshop will introduce participants to the craft and possibilities of writing about art and allow time for questions about the program.

How it works

The program will select three participants to work with the Art Guide editorial team over the course of a twelve-month period, on three standalone pieces of writing on art—including one interview-led feature and one response to an art exhibition to be published on Art Guide Australia online, at a rate of 0.80 c/pw. There will also be an opportunity for the participants to pitch ideas for a piece they are interested in writing about.

Who can apply

The program is aimed at early career or emerging writersfrom around the country, who are interested in writing about art and culture for a general audience, and have not previously written for the magazine. Writers from underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. There are no age limits, but writers are required to demonstrate some prior record of publication (between one and four published pieces including up to one piece published on a newsletter or blog).

They should also have a strong vision for how this program fits into their larger writing practice or career trajectory, and how the opportunity would benefit them in the longer-term.

Writers who are working in academia should explain and demonstrate why they are interested in writing for the wider public.

How to apply

Apply via the form linked below.

Applicants should include:

  • •A brief cover letter
  • •A one-page CV
  • •A writing sample (maximum 1000 words)

Your writing sample should showcase your strengths and interests as a writer. Your cover letter should outline your engagement with art, provide insight into what guides your interest in art writing, as well as an understanding of how you hope this program will benefit or further develop your career and work. In your cover letter, please also include one potential idea for a feature, essay or profile that you think could suit the publication and why you think it is worth addressing at this moment.

Applications close 30 April 2026.

Apply here!