The South
African Arts Writers and Critics Association is pleased to announce a call for
applications for the 2013 Critics Mentorship Programme. With the support of the
Goethe-Institut this year the programme has been expanded and will offer two
individuals an opportunity to be mentored by established critics/writers.
How does it work? Participants will spend a month
under the guidance of a mentor before attending the National Arts Festival,
where they will be expected to write reviews, interviews and features, which
will be published in local, national or niche publications.
The mentorship period beings June 4 and exposes the
participants to the working life of a critic/writer which would include
attending arts related events, conducting interviews and engaging in research
activities with the mentor, as well as spending time at the offices of a
mainstream print publication. In this
way the participant will gain insight into the general running of a media organisation.
During this period the mentor will set a number of writing assignments for the
participant. They will be given detailed feedback for each assignment and if
the standard of the work is high, these assignments may be considered for
publication.
Who should apply? Young freelance arts
writers/bloggers who are struggling to get a foothold in the industry. Any
aspiring or young/new arts writer, critic with an aptitude for, and or, experience
in writing, cultivated through university studies, a journalism course or any
other writing workshop. Applicants must be knowledgeable about one discipline
of the arts and have an interest in another. This is not a full-time programme
but the participants will need to be available during weekday hours and
evenings to attend events, complete writing assignments and observe the
workings of a newspaper. The participant will also be required to travel
to Grahamstown for the festival – travel and accommodation costs will be
covered by the programme and they will be given a stipend.
At this time the mentorship programme will only be
available to Joburg based participants. Those who already have experience in
arts writing and criticism will be given preference. Ultimately we are looking
to provide guidance to an individual who has already shown talent in arts
writing but requires a close level of mentorship to develop their work
further.
Criteria: A participant will be selected
based on the strength of his/her writing abilities and knowledge or affinity
for the arts and their grasp on journalistic conventions. Short listed
candidates may have to produce a short review to secure a place on the
programme.
Deadline: May 13, 2013.
Please send a copy of your CV, a short letter of motivation outlining which
discipline or disciplines of the arts you are interested in, as well as two
examples of arts writing. Please title your mail: Mentorship programme
application. Send your applications or any queries to mary@plotbeep.co.za or criticsassoc@gmail.com
