2024 Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship

The Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy at the Japanese American National Museum announces the 2024 Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship. This fellowship awards two $5,000 unrestricted awards to two emerging writers of color who write critically about theater, dance, and/or performance art. The awards are unrestricted and may be used for any purpose that helps fellows advance their careers, including paying themselves to write. In addition to the cash award, fellows have the opportunity to write about an exhibition for the Preserving Democracy blog and deliver a talk about their work at the Democracy Center. A brief written report in the form of a letter accounting for the use of funds is required at the end of the fellowship period.

Eligibility requirements: Applicants must reside in or be a citizen of the U.S., be at least 18 years of age, identify as a member of a community with ancestry in one of the original peoples of Africa, Asia, the Americas, Oceania, or Pacific Islands, have less than 2 years of publication experience (which may include a blog or self-publishing), and have demonstrated a commitment to writing about theater, dance, or performance art. Applicants cannot be an immediate relative of a JANM or Democracy Center employee or funder, and previous recipients are not eligible.

Applications must include: name, contact information, website, pronouns, and race/ethnicity; a cover letter (1000 words or less) introducing yourself, your work, why you are applying, and how you would spend the money; a resume or CV including all relevant published works; a short biography (500 words or less) summarizing your background and writing interests; and one to three writing samples in Word or PDF format (not exceeding 3,000 words total). Writing samples should include information about where and when the piece was published and should reflect an interest in theater, dance, and/or performance art. Do not submit works whose final published form is an interview. All eligible applications will be reviewed by a panel of professional writers and editors who cover the performing arts. Awardees will be notified June 10, 2024.