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FAQ

 

When can I apply for this program?  

Dates for the 2009 Fellowship are being determined.  If you are interested in applying to the NEA Institute in Theater and Musical Theater for 2009, email us at neainst@usc.edu to become part of our mailing list for further updates.  

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Who may apply for this program?

All critics, reporters or editors for a newspaper, magazine, journal, broadcast or digital media organization who have at least two years of professional journalism experience may apply. Applicants must demonstrate that theater is an area of strong professional interest or that they supervise journalistic coverage of this field. This program is NOT intended for entry-level journalists, students or journalism educators.  No specialized theater knowledge is required.   

You may NOT apply if you work for one of the top seven media markets. You are NOT eligible if you live or work outside of the United States. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents.

Strong preference is given to journalists who do not live or work in Los Angeles, New York City or Chicago. 

If you were a NEA Fellow at either the NEA Institute in Classical Music and Opera in New York at Columbia University or at the NEA Institute in Dance Criticism in Durham, North Carolina, at Duke University, you MAY apply.  

You may NOT apply, however, if you have already been a fellow at the NEA Institute in Theater and Musical Theater in Los Angeles at USC Annenberg School for Communication.  

Please Note: We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. It is our intention that all qualified applications be given equal opportunity and that our selection is based upon merit alone.  

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How many fellows are admitted to the program?

25 

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I am a freelance journalist, should I still apply?

Yes.  Freelancers with a significant body of work are eligible, if their application is accompanied by a letter of nomination and recommendation by a newsroom editor/manager at an organization that regularly publishes or broadcasts their work. 

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I am an American citizen but living outside the United States, should I still apply?

No.  Unfortunately, we can only accept applicants who reside within the United States.  However, please take a moment to look at our USC/Getty Arts Journalism Program which is offered internationally.

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What cities are NOT eligible to apply?

If you live or work in the following cities you will NOT be considered eligible for this program.  If you live outside these areas, please feel free to apply.  If you are not sure whether your residence or work place is considered far enough outside these areas to apply, please email neainst@usc.edu and we will determine if you are eligible.

Los Angeles
New York City

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What papers are in the top media markets that are NOT eligible to apply?

The following papers are considered to be the top seven daily newspapers in the United States by circulation as of March 31, 2006.

Rank Newspaper   

Circulation

1. USA Today

2,528,437

2.  Wall Street Journal

2,058,342

3. New York Times

1,683,855

4.  Los Angeles Times

1,231,318

5.  Washington Post

960,684

6.   Chicago Tribune

957,212

7. Daily News

795,153

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Are advanced degrees or specialized training required?

No.  

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If I have applied in previous years, can I apply this year?

Yes. We encourage all previous applicants, who satisfy the eligibility requirements, to re-apply.  

Only former NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Theater and Musical Theater fellows are NOT allowed to apply again – though they may apply to the NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Classical Music and Opera at Columbia University and to the NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Dance at Duke University. (See links, below.)
Columbia  
Duke

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If I already had an NEA Institute Fellowship, but NOT for theater and musical theater in Los Angeles, may I still apply?

Yes.  If you were a NEA Fellow at either the NEA Institute in Classical Music and Opera in New York at Columbia University or at the NEA Institute in Dance Criticism in Durham, North Carolina, at Duke University, you MAY apply. 

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Where will I live during the program?

Each participant will have his or her own room at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

The vast majority of your classes, seminars and workshops will be within walking distance of the hotel, located near Walt Disney Concert Hall, Mark Taper Forum, The Colburn School, Museum of Contemporary Art, REDCAT (CalArts Theatre) and Ahmanson Theatre.

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Where do I mail my application?

Please send your application to the following address (important: be sure to include the suite # ):  

Sasha Anawalt, Director
USC Annenberg/NEA Arts Journalism Institute
300 S. Grand Ave., Suite 3950
Los Angeles , CA 90071  

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I sent in my application, when will I know if I have been accepted?

We will contact you with notification of acceptance about three weeks after the deadline for applications. You will hear from us by phone or by e-mail.

If you are an alternate or if you were not accepted, you will learn by e-mail.

In all cases, we will follow up with an official letter sent through the mail.

A formal press release will be posted on our Web site announcing the accepted fellows by Dec. 7, 2007.  

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If accepted, what expenses will I have to cover?

The NEA Arts Journalism Institute covers most expenses: roundtrip travel to and from Los Angeles, hotel, most meals, reading materials, Internet access in your hotel room and transportation within Los Angeles.  

As a government funded program, however, we cannot cover alcohol.

Personal expenses are your responsibility. These may include laundry, gifts, snacks or food beyond the three meals we usually provide, and anything incurred outside the dates of the program, should you decide to stay in the hotel longer, for example. We recommend you bring about $200.  

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If accepted, can I still work during the program?

The NEA Arts Journalism Institute is a fast-paced, intense and demanding program. Be prepared to give 100%. You will NOT have time to start or complete assignments for your job.  

We recommend making sure your editor or boss understands that the 11 days of this Fellowship are all-consuming and that s/he will reap the rewards later.

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Will I need to bring a laptop?

Yes, if you can. You will have at least five writing assignments that are typically completed in your hotel room. But, if you do not own a laptop or your workplace cannot lend you one, let us know. We will work it out.  

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How do I contact you?

The best place to contact us is neainst@usc.edu or you may call the NEA Institute program coordinator, Arianna Sikorski, at 213-437-4413 or its director, Sasha Anawalt, at 213-437-4414.  

Our fax number is 213-437-4424.

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