Call for Early Career Writers

BlackFlash Expanded
Call for Early Career Writers

BlackFlash Expanded is seeking submissions from early career artists and writers across the Canadian Prairies to write critically in response to contemporary art exhibitions and programming.

Details: two early career writers will be offered the opportunity to pitch, workshop, and develop a response across spring/summer 2022 to be published online in the fall. Support in the form of mentorship and copy editing will be offered as well as a writer’s fee of $500 for one critical response (approximately 1000–1500 words).

Successful applicants will be invited to respond to artistic programming of their choice (exhibitions, events, writing) either online or off. In an effort to facilitate and support entry into arts writing for those who might not have experience, candidates will be offered an opportunity to workshop their ideas in anticipation of publication.

Across 2022, BlackFlash Expanded is focused on three general themes:

Adaptations (to circumstances, to models, to systems, and to practice); Sustainability (both relationally and environmentally); and Speculations (imaginings, and reflections that move us collectively toward the future). We are particularly looking for responses to artistic programming that are culturally timely.

Submission Process: Please submit a brief statement that details your interest in this call, as well as your overall approach to considering one or more of the above general themes. Limit your response to under 500 words. Prior to submitting, please familiarize yourself with BlackFlash’s content.

Submissions should be made via email to expanded [at] blackflash [dot] ca with “early career call” in the subject line by March 11, 2022. Please also include either a short biography detailing your experience (100–150 words) or a recent CV. Links to websites or other online presence offering insight into your practice are also encouraged at the submission stage. Applicants should expect to receive a response by mid-April 2022.

BlackFlash Expanded prioritizes artists and writers working across the Prairie region, colonially defined by the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. We are looking to work with a diversity of voices; writers who identify as women, writers with disabilities, Indigenous writers, Black writers, writers of colour, writers of non-conforming gender and sexual orientations, are especially encouraged to apply.

BlackFlash publishes writing that explores ideas and theories behind contemporary art in Canada. BlackFlash is not an academic journal; we have a diverse readership and ask that articles be written in accessible language that does not presume our readers understand specialized academic jargon or concepts. Both traditional and experimental art writing is welcomed.