Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship—Criteria

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must:

• Reside in or be a citizen of 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

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.
 

Application Process

Applicants are required to submit through our online portal. Applications should be prepared to submit the following: 

• Name, contact information, website, pronouns, race/ethnicity
• Cover letter (Word or PDF) introducing themselves, their work, why they are applying for the fellowship, and how they would spend the money (1000 words or less)
• Resume or CV (Word/PDF) that includes all relevant published works
• Biography summarizing your background and writing interests (500 words or less)
• Anything else you would like the panel to know
• Writing samples (Word or PDF)
• You may upload between one (1) and three (3) writing samples. Altogether, all writing samples should not exceed 3,000 words.
• Links to websites where the sample was published are not a substitute for the actual written sample. 
• The written sample should include information as to where and when the piece was published or appeared. 
• Samples should reflect an interest and investment in music.
• Please do not submit works whose final, published form is an interview.
   

Application Timeline

Questions

Please email democracycenter@janm.org with any questions you may have about submitting your application.