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How do I apply for this program?
Applications for the 2011 Institute are no longer available. Deadline passed as of March 29, 2011.
We only accept applications through a provided online form, no mailed materials. Read the requirements for eligibility before you apply.
Important! If you have applied in previous years to the NEA Theater Institute, you are still required to submit a complete electronic application. Past applicants are not automatically rolled over into the 2012 applicant pool.
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When are applications available?
Dates vary. Applications for the 2011 Institute were available on February 16, 2011.
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When are applications due?
Dates vary. The deadline to submit a completed application online for 2011 was March 29, 2011. Applications were accepted on that day until 11:59pm Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).
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Where do I mail my application?
We no longer accept mailed applications. You must submit electronically online from the application link provided.
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Who is eligible for this program?
All arts writers, critics, editors or producers for online, print, radio or television 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.
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 for Dance Criticism in Durham, North Carolina, at Duke University or at the International Institute in the Visual Arts 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 & Journalism.
You are NOT eligible if you live or work outside of the United States. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
You MAY apply if you live or work in Los Angeles or other major metropolitan areas.
Please Note: We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that our selection is based upon merit alone.
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Are any news organizations NOT considered?
No.
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Are advanced degrees or specialized training required?
No.
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We accept 22 to 25 Fellows.
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When will I know if I have been accepted?
We contact you with notification of acceptance about three weeks after the application deadline. 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 regular postal mail.
A formal press release will also be posted on our Website announcing the accepted fellows.
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Who is in charge of the program?
The NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Theater and Musical Theater at USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism is directed by its founder, Sasha Anawalt, and associate directors Douglas McLennan (digital media) and Jeff Weinstein (editorial). The Program Coordinator is Arianna Sikorski.
Ernest J. Wilson III , is Dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, where the fellowship offices as well as many of its events under his guidance are based. The Fellowship likewise falls under the jurisdiction of Geneva Overholser, director of USC Annenberg's School of Journalism.
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How do I contact you?
The best and quickest place to contact us is neainst@usc.edu.
Or you may call the program coordinator, Arianna Sikorski, at 213-740-1899.
Our fax number is 213-740-1519.
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What if I am a freelance journalist and/or am self-employed?
Freelancers and/or self-employed individuals, who regularly cover the arts online or in print or over the airwaves and are able to demonstrate a significant body of work in the past 24 months, are eligible. Their application must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from an editor/manager at an organization that regularly publishes or broadcasts their work OR by an experienced journalist who can speak to their work in convincing detail.
For example, if you created your own arts/culture/entertainment Web site, ask someone respected in the field to write on your behalf, addressing specifically how they use your site and depend upon it for valuable, competent and reliable news, insight and information.
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What if I am from another country other than the U.S.?
The Fellowship is offered to U.S. citizens or permanent residents ONLY. This is NOT an international program, however, please take a moment to look at our USC Annenberg/Getty Arts Journalism Program which is offered internationally.
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What if I am an American citizen, but living outside the United States?
We only accept applicants who reside within the United States and Puerto Rico. However, please take a moment to look at our USC Annenberg/Getty Arts Journalism Program which is offered internationally.
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What if I have previously attended one of the other NEA Institute Fellowships?
If you were a NEA Fellow at either the NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Classical Music and Opera in New York at Columbia University, the NEA Arts Journalism Institute for Dance Criticism held at the American Dance Festival (ADF) in Durham, North Carolina at Duke University, or the International Institute in the Visual Arts held at American University in Washington, D.C., you MAY still apply.
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What if my work is purely radio, television or online -- how should I present examples of my work?
Any audio files (MP3 or WAV) or video files (AVI, MOV, MPEG or WMV) must be available on a third party site and the URL address provided on the electronic application. We recommend blip.tv for audio and youtube.com for video, if the clips are not already available online.
Clips must be 10 min. or less with a brief note about what you created (e.g. story idea, the script, camera work, editing, etc.)
We do NOT accept CDs, audiotapes or DVDs.
We accept no more than three examples of stories.
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What if I work or live in Los Angeles, New York or Chicago?
We accept applicants from any city in the United States.
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What if I have applied in previous years?
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 for Dance Criticism at Duke University .
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What should I do to prepare for this program?
Once you have been accepted, we will be in contact with you about the program’s details and requirements. It is important for Fellows to clear their desks at work and home before coming. We cannot emphasize enough that there is no time to complete assignments or take on new ones while you are on the Fellowship.
If you are a freelancer, you should plan accordingly and prepare not to be making an income during the 11 days.
Alert colleagues, family members and friends that your time to be in touch with them or accomplish work for them will be minimal. Be assured that the Fellowship’s rewards with respect to story ideas, contacts, job opportunities and essential rejuvenation are worth it in the long run. Tell them the same.
There may be reading material given to you in advance of the Fellowship to enhance your experience here. You will not, however, receive an actual schedule of events until you arrive.
This is a rigorous, strenuous, jam-packed and fun Fellowship program and it is strongly advised to be physically prepared for long days.
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What mandatory obligations must I and/or my editor or boss fulfill during or post Fellowship?
Fellows must agree to attend all NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Theater and Musical Theater events.
Fellows must also complete a follow-up survey post Fellowship.
Fellows who are staff journalists must make a presentation to their colleagues about the Fellowship after they get back.
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When will I receive the schedule for the Fellowship?
Schedules are given upon arrival. Any necessary details will be emailed in advance.
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How long is the program, is there time off?
The NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Theater and Musical Theater is an 11-day Fellowship. There are no scheduled days off.
There is some free time during the program, but usually not much. Get plenty of rest before you come.
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Will I be able to work during the program?
The NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Theater and Musical Theater is fast-paced, intense and demanding. Be prepared to give 100% to the program. It is important for Fellows to clear their desks at work and home before coming. We cannot emphasize enough that there is no time to complete assignments or take on new ones while you are on the Fellowship.
If you are a freelancer, you should plan accordingly and prepare not to be making an income for the Fellowship's 11 days.
Alert colleagues, family members and friends that your time to be in touch with them or accomplish work for them will be minimal. Be assured that the Fellowship’s rewards with respect to story ideas, contacts, job opportunities and essential rejuvenation are worth it in the long run.
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What expenses will I have to cover?
The NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Theater and Musical Theater covers most expenses, including: roundtrip travel to and from Los Angeles, hotel, most meals, reading materials, Internet access in your hotel room and transportation within Los Angeles.
Personal expenses NOT related to the program are your responsibility. These may include laundry, gifts, mini-bar, phone calls, non-Fellowship travel and anything incurred outside the dates of the program, should you decide to stay in the hotel longer, for example. Alcohol is considered a personal expense, we are a government funded program and therefore cannot reimburse any alcohol purchases.
Expenses incurred that ARE related to the program will be reimbursed. Be aware that all reimbursement requests are submitted at the end of the program and must be reviewed and approved before payment. More details on the reimbursement process are given during the Fellowship.
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Do I need to make my own travel arrangements?
No. Our program coordinator will be in touch with you about travel to and from Los Angeles. Flights should NOT be purchased by you independently unless discussed with the program coordinator beforehand.
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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 & Suites in downtown Los Angeles.
The vast majority of your classes, seminars and workshops will be held in the hotel or on USC's campus.
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Can I arrive before or stay after the dates of the Fellowship?
Yes. Fellows may arrive before and/or leave after the Fellowship, however, the program will ONLY cover the extra expense of one pre-Fellowship night in the hotel, provided you are coming from either the Central or Eastern Time Zones. If you plan to stay in the same hotel as the Fellowship for any other nights outside the Fellowship dates, you will need to let us know well in advance. Be sure to contact our program coordinator with the details of your trip.
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Will I need a car?
No. All transportation in Los Angeles is provided for the Fellowship. Rental cars and personal vehicles for activities outside the program’s schedule are optional and are the independent responsibility of each Fellow.
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Will I need to bring a laptop?
Yes.
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Home
|
How To Apply
|
About the Program
|
Past Fellows
|
Faculty & Experts | Schedules | Press | Staff | FAQ