International Arts Journalism Institute in the Visual Arts

June 12–26, 2009

The International Arts Journalism Institute in Visual Arts is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), administered by American University. This is the first NEA journalism institute focusing on visual arts and demonstrates the NEA's commitment to supporting informed arts criticism.

During the two-week visual arts institute, up to 12 writers, editors, and broadcast and online producers from the United States and up to 12 journalists from overseas will visit museums, attend lectures and participate in writing workshops. The journalists will be based at AU but travel throughout the mid-Atlantic region, visiting art galleries and museums in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Participating journalists will meet with visual art professionals ranging from curators at major museums to directors of small galleries. The institute will cover most participants' expenses, including airfare, lodging, meals, writing workshops and regional travel. Although the institute will include day trips to other cities, the students will stay in Washington and take advantage of the city's vibrant visual arts scene.

Jack Rasmussen, director and curator of American University Museum, will direct the NEA International Arts Journalism Institute in Visual Arts. Mr. Rasmussen states," The Institute will place American Art in its historical and cultural context, and bring participants into close working contact with artists, curators, dealers, and critics in the United States today."