Pittsbugh Public Theater Logo American Theatre Logo American Theatre Logo

Pittsburgh Public Theater & American Theatre magazine present

CRITICAL INSIGHT

a new generative arts journalism fellowship

Critical Insight is a new generative writing fellowship that unites dynamic emerging voices in arts journalism with high-impact cultural critics and reporters through an industry-first partnership between Pittsburgh Public Theater and American Theatre magazine. Fellows are immersed in arts and criticism for 7 months and have the opportunity to develop their portfolio while being a part of conversations at the cutting edge of the fields. Critical Insight is a collaboration between arts organizations, critics and arts journalists, and publishing partners, all of whom benefit from the healthier arts economies good criticism generates.

Applications open Monday, April 8, and are due Monday, July 15, 2024; the program begins in September 2024. Applicants should have fewer than 2 years of professional arts journalism experience, be located in or near the Pittsburgh metropolitan area for the duration of the fellowship, and be at least 18 years old by March 1, 2025. Fellows will receive a $1,200 stipend from Pittsburgh Public Theater. Emerging critics, students, theatermakers, dramaturges, writers in other fields, journalists looking for a new beat, and theater lovers should apply.

PROGRAM DETAILS

MEET THE 2024/2025 CRITICAL INSIGHT SEMINAR LEADERS

APPLICATION

Eligibility
  • Prospective fellows must meet the following criteria:
  • Have fewer than 2 years of professional arts journalism experience
  • Live in or near Pittsburgh for the duration of the
  • Be 18 years or older before March 1, 2025
  • Commit to attending a majority of seminar sessions and regional retreat
Timeline
  • April 8 - Application window opens
  • July 15 - Application deadline
  • July + August - Finalists participate in brief interviews with Critical Insight advisory board
  • August 15 - Fellows notified of selection
  • September 1 - Critial Insight begins
How to apply

Applicants should submit no later than July 15 a resume, a cover letter or personal statement, and responses to a short number of insight questions. All application information will be available on April 8 at PPT.org/Insight.

Apply Now

FAQ

Seminar Sessions will be held primarily on Wednesday evenings from 4 to 6 p.m., and may be subject to occasional change. Applicants should be generally available during that time from September 2024 to March 2025.

There will be up to 12 sessions during the course of the fellowship - fellows should be available to attend at least 10.

A preliminary schedule will be released before the application deadline. If you have specific concerns about Seminar Session dates, reach out to csnyder@ppt.org.

 

Pittsburgh Public Theater will gladly work with your educational institution to verify the academic value of participation in Critical Insight.

Payments for individual stories will be arranged with each publisher, and your editorial mentors will be right there to support your development as a freelancer. All fellows will receive a $1,200 stipend from Pittsburgh Public Theater in two installments falling in December and March.