Critical Writing Open Call 2026

About Critical Writing at Recess

Critical Writing is a year-long program for writers to practice the art of cultural criticism and textual media in a small cohort setting. The program began in 2011 to facilitate meaningful exchanges between writers and artists, wherein writers pursued the underlying themes and ideas that inform Session projects toward the mutual production of new works. 

Art writing at Recess is playful, responsive, and experimental, with an emphasis on storytelling that champions the subjective voice. Although texts are typically developed in essay format, there is an open invitation to bend the genre and twist the form in order to build a narrative world that is fitting for the development of new writing. 

The program is open to writers at any stage of their writing practice. Participants will publish two web-based texts on Recess's website throughout the course of the program within a 8 to 10 week editorial timeline. Writers are supported through monthly cohort engagements and one-to-one editorial workshops. 

Critical Writing Open Call 2026

Interested in taking part in the Critical Writing program at Recess? We are launching an Open Call for the 2026-2027 cohort of three writers, reserving one spot for an alum of the Assembly program. A shortlist of applicants will be kept on file for future cohorts and programs. 

Please review the open call guidelines below before submitting your application for consideration.

Open Call Timeline

Applications Open March 26 at 10:00am EST

Virtual Info Session April 13 at 6:00pm EST 

Application Deadline April 30 at 11:59pm EST

Applicant Interviews June

Decisions Announced July 

Program Structure 

Critical Writing at Recess initiates meaningful exchange between artists and writers and facilitates the mutual production of new work. This practice-led approach involves a commitment from each writer to publish two texts, in addition to collaboratively editing a digital reader that places the Recess’ textual archive in conversation with contemporary art writing across the field, and producing a culminating public program.

Program Schedule 

The Critical Writing program will run from August 2026 through June 2027. The cohort will meet monthly in the evenings, tentatively every third Wednesday between 6-8pm EST. Review the program schedule below with the understanding that dates and timing may flux based on the shared calendars of the participants. 

In 2026

Saturday, Aug 1 or 8 Half-day Orientation: “writing towards abolition” | 11a-4p at Recess

Wednesday, Sep 16  Open Desk with an “artist-writer” | 6:30-8p at Recess

Wednesday, Oct 21  Reading Room: “the artist interview” | 6-7:30p via Zoom

Wednesday, Nov 18  Open Desk: “digital-publisher” | 6:30-8p at Recess

December   Cohort publishes their digital-reader 

In 2027

Wednesday, Jan 20  Reading Room: “the artist interview” | Virtual 6-7:30p

Wednesday, Feb 17  Open Desk with an “artbook-publisher” | 6:30-8p at Recess

Wednesday, Mar 17  Reading Room: “writing across marginality” | 6-7:30p via Zoom

Wednesday, April 21  Open Desk with a “curator-editor” | 6:30-8p at Recess

Wednesday, May 19  Reading Room: “the writer as public artist” | 6-7:30p via Zoom

June    Cohort curates a public program 

Program Stipend

Participating writers will receive an accumulative stipend of $4,000 each, which includes artistic fees for the development of two essays, two collaborative cohort projects (editing a digital reader and curating a public program), and attendance during the monthly Open Desk and Reading Room sessions.  

Application Form 

Applications must be received by Thursday, April 30 at 11:59pm EST via Submittable. 

You must create a Submittable account if you do not already have one. 

Here is a look at the application form (in-full):

Section I: Tell Us About Yourself

• Full Name
• Email
• Mailing Address
• Phone Number
• Bio (max 200 words in third-person)
• Resume or CV (Upload a .pdf file, max 3 pages in length)
• Website (optional)

Section II: What Does Writing and Reading Mean to You?

• Share a narrative around your writing journey. (max 200 words)
• Tell us about a text that explores an artist, artwork, or exhibition that you like to return to as a reader. (max 200 words) 
• Write a descriptive micro-review of a mundane object that is a part of your daily life?  (max 300 words)

Section III: Critical Writing at Recess

• At Recess, we believe in the power of meaningful exchanges between writers and artists. What do you believe is the role of writing in our current cultural arts ecosystem? 
• Are there any access needs for your participation in the program?  
• The program is organized around monthly sessions (every third Wednesday of the month, in-person or virtual), from August to June. Are you able to commit to this schedule?
• Are you able to commit to participating in the half-day artist orientation workshop, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 1 or 8?
• Are you an alum of the Assembly program?
• Share two writing samples that best reflect your writing practice, voice, and style. Your texts can range from works that are published, unpublished, or in-progress.  
• Describe your writing sample and provide any reading instructions. 
• Who should we be in touch with to learn more about your writing practice?