Introducing Frieze New Writers

Ever wondered how to write about art? Interested in exploring different approaches to writing, and looking for tips on how to get published? Applications are now open for Frieze New Writers: a free-to-attend four-week course taking place on Saturdays in September and October, where a group of aspiring writers will have the opportunity to develop their skills with support from the Frieze editorial team and our wider network of art-world professionals.

In a series of workshops, the groups will be given practical advice on how and where to pitch, interview techniques and what makes a great profile or review. Gallery and studio visits, and a programme of roundtable conversations with publishers, curators and arts professionals will give participants insights into the art world and the people shaping it. The final session, on October 16, will take place at Frieze London art fair, one of the world’s leading cultural events.

The course is based at No.9 Cork Street, Frieze’s new permanent space in central London, and is open to unpublished writers over the age of 18 from across the UK. All participants will receive a £500 bursary towards their travel and expenses.

Each participant will have their work edited by the Frieze team and there will be an opportunity for everyone to be published on frieze.com.  

The deadline for applications is: 18:00 (BST) Monday 23 August 2021. Read on for details on how to apply.

This initiative is part of Frieze’s wider commitment to amplifying diverse voices within the art world. Frieze is committed to practicing anti-discrimination including race, gender and disability, together with artists, writers and cultural practitioners from all backgrounds. 

Frieze New Writers is supported by Frieze’s membership scheme.

If you have any further questions be sure to check out our FAQ page. 

Details:

• The course is free to attend and applications are open to all UK-based aspiring arts writers over the age of 18.
• Writers should have had no more than one piece of art writing published in print, or three pieces on online-only platforms.
• The course will take place in London on four consecutive Saturdays: 25 September, 2, 9 & 16 October 2021.
• Workshops will be hosted at No.9 Cork Street, Frieze’s new permanent space in Mayfair 10am–1pm.
• There will be an optional programme of curator-led gallery tours and artist studio visits in the afternoons.
• All participants will have unlimited access to the Frieze Fairs from 13–17 October.
• This course has been devised to take place in person; if you have access needs, please let us know in your application email so that we can discuss them with you.
• Each participant will receive a £500 bursary towards their travel and expenses.

Applicants should submit:

• One unpublished piece of writing, no longer than 350 words. This should be a review either of a recent art exhibition or an individual artwork.
• A 150-word statement about why they are applying to the course and what they hope to gain from it.  
• Applications should be sent to editors@frieze.com
• Emails should include the applicant’s full name. The texts can be submitted either in the body of the email or as an attachment. We accept .doc .docx .txt and .pdf formats. Please don’t send images.
• The deadline for submissions is: 18:00 (BST) Friday 13 August 2021. No entries will be considered if submitted after this deadline.
• We will let participants know whether they have been selected by 1 September 2021.
• We regret that we are not able to give feedback on unsuccessful applications.
• FAQs

Participants will be selected by an independent panel of writers and educators:

Skye Arundhati Thomas is a writer and editor based in Mumbai, India. She is a regular contributor to frieze, as well as to other publications, including Artforum and London Review of Books. She is co-editor of the literary magazine The White Review.

Professor Maria Fusco is Chair of Interdisciplinary Writing at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Dundee, UK. She is a working class Belfast-born interdisciplinary writer working across art writing, fiction, performance and theory. She is Editorial Director of The Happy Hypocrite, an annual journal for experimental writing.

Kishani Widyaratna is Editorial Director at 4^th Estate, where she publishes literary fiction and non-fiction. Her authors include Kasim Ali, Sarah Winman, Safiya Sinclair, Kayo Chingonyi, Daphne Palasi Andreades and Eloghosa Osunde. Kishani is a board member of the literary magazine The White Review.