The 2025 Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship | How to Apply ($5000)
Deadline: March 17, 2025
Emerging music critics of color with less than two years of publishing experience can now apply for the Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship. Now in its third year, this fellowship will award two writers an unrestricted grant of $5,000 each.
The Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy at the Japanese American National Museum, with support from Critical Minded, offers this fellowship to amplify and support diverse voices in music criticism.
By encouraging emerging critics to write from their own cultural and political perspectives, this fellowship enriches public discourse and strengthens diverse participation in cultural conversations.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or current U.S. resident
- Be at least 18 years old
- Identify as a member of a community with ancestry in the original peoples of Africa, Asia, the Americas, Oceania, or the Pacific Islands
- Have less than two years of publication experience, including blogs or self-publishing
- Show a commitment to writing about music
How to Apply
To apply for the Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship, applicants must submit their materials through the online portal by March 17, 2025. The application requires:
1. Personal Information
- Name, contact details, website (if applicable)
- Pronouns and racial/ethnic identification
2. Cover Letter (Word/PDF)
- An introduction to the applicant and their work
- A statement explaining why they are applying and how they would use the $5,000 award
- Limited to 1,000 words or less
3. Resume or CV (Word/PDF)
- Includes all relevant published works
4. Biography (Word/PDF)
- A 500-word summary of their background and writing interests
5. Writing Samples (Word/PDF)
- Applicants may submit one to three writing samples, totaling no more than 3,000 words
- Each sample must include where and when it was published or appeared
- Writing should focus on music criticism
- Interviews are not accepted
- Website links alone are not sufficient—the full text must be uploaded
6. Additional Information
- Applicants may include any other details they want the panel to know
Why Apply?
This fellowship offers more than just financial support—it provides an opportunity for emerging critics of color to develop their voice, gain recognition, and contribute to expanding cultural criticism.
For more information and to apply, visit:
www.janm.org/democracy/arts-writer-fellowship
