Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship Grant

Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Japanese American National Museum
Amount: US $5,000
Last Updated: April 12, 2025

Summary

The Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship supports emerging writers focusing on music criticism. This fellowship encourages applicants to submit writing samples that critically analyze live or recorded music. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens or residents, 18 or older, and have less than two years of publication experience. The award includes unrestricted funds to advance their careers, alongside opportunities for publication and public speaking at the Democracy Center.

Overview

Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship Purpose The fellowship focuses on a different artistic discipline each year. This year’s focus is music. In order to ensure full consideration of your application, please make sure your writing samples are works of criticism or reviews of live or recorded music. Although music is experienced in many different contexts, for the purposes of this award, music is defined as a creation that is experienced primarily as sound. For example: A review of a film’s soundtrack would be appropriate, but not a review of the film.Criticism of an audio recording of songs from an opera or musical theater production would be considered, whereas a response to the overall production would not. Critical views on the music industry, its figures, or trends are acceptable, as long as they are directly related to the artistry, production, or reception of music. Above all, writing samples must provide a critical, analytical, or interpretive perspective on a piece or pieces of music. Award The awards are unrestricted. Funds may be used for any purpose that helps the fellows advance their careers, including paying themselves to write. In addition to the cash award, the fellows are given the opportunity to write a piece of criticism or review of a musical work for the Democracy Center blog as well as the opportunity to deliver a talk at the Democracy Center at JANM on their work.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible applicants must:Be a US citizen or currently reside within the US.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.Have demonstrated a commitment to writing about music.

Ineligibility

Applicants cannot be an immediate relative of a JANM or Democracy Center employee, or of a funder.  Previous recipients of an Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship are not eligible.