Emerging Art Writers Program

The Emerging Art Writers Program (EAWP) is organized through the Illingworth Kerr Gallery (IKG), Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts).

The Emerging Art Writers Program (EAWP) is organized through the Illingworth Kerr Gallery (IKG), Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts). This program launched in September 2020 with a seminar led by Dr. Mark Clintberg titled Write Through This: Writing for Contemporary Art Markets. Open to all current AUArts students, the seminar focused on freelance art writing for emerging artists and writers, and covered topics ranging from copyediting and communicating with editors to financial management and contracts. Following the seminar, students were invited to submit letters of interest and short writing samples in application for the Emerging Art Writers Program, and eight students were selected to participate.

PARTICIPANTS

Carmen Belanger
oualie frost
Caro Ging
Levin Ifko
Meghan Ivany
Chantal Lafond
Raewyn Reid
Yuii Savage

With the generous support of an Action Learning Grant from the Rozsa Foundation we were able to organize the first iteration of the Emerging Art Writers Program. Continuing into April of 2020, the participants took part in a series of workshops and editing sessions led by Clintberg to develop written responses both to exhibitions on campus and within the community. Award-winning senior art critic Nancy Tousley was invited to lead an editing session and provide feedback on the students’ writing. Upon completion of the workshop series, each of the participants produced a final draft of their writing to be published in a printed catalogue.

The IKG’s Public Programming and Outreach Assistant, Reeny Hua, worked collaboratively with Rachel MacKinnon, a 4th year Illustration student, to create the editorial layout and design as well as spot illustrations that respond to the participants writing. After a design meeting with the writers, Reeny and Rachel produced an 87”, 12 panel accordion-style catalogue with a book jacket. The texts are printed at different orientations, requiring readers to fold and unfold, flip and turn the pages creating an active and tactile reading experience.

This publication is SOLD OUT. Thank you for your support!

photo courtesy JYK studios