This workshop explores different art writing techniques. The first part of the session will focus on writing about your own art and the secondary part will look at how to write about other artists' work. The workshop will also touch on how to make ‘the language of art’ accessible.

Who is it for?

Practicing artists and creatives at any stage of their career interested in improving their ability to write about their own artwork or creative practice. These sessions are also for attendees who want to know more about a career in art journalism and wish to write about the work of other artists via reviews, interviews or other features.

What will it involve?

Session 1 will aim to improve your writing skills in relation to your own artist statement, biography or other professional text such as a press release. We will look at a variety of real-world writing examples alongside practical writing exercises, group discussions and peer feedback.

Session 2 will introduce approaches to art journalism drawn from Anneka’s own experience and other examples of published writing from different magazines and online platforms. This session will touch upon exhibition and book reviews, interviews and other features, exploring ways to pitch to publications, editing, rates of pay and signposts to other sources of advice and information.

What will I gain?

You will have the opportunity to improve your writing skills in relation to art/creative practice and your confidence in this area, alongside the chance to ask questions and seek peer feedback. You will gain guidance in writing techniques and key concepts in the language of art, including considering how to make your writing accessible, creative, clear and functional to diverse audiences in a variety of professional ways.

About the course leader:

Anneka French is an artist, curator and writer. Recent experimental writing and poetry commissions include those for Photoworks+, Grain Projects, Fire Station Artists’ Studios, Axisweb, Creative Black Country, TACO! and Living Memory. She writes regular reviews and essays for publications including Art Quarterly and Photomonitor. Anneka is also an independent visual arts curator currently working with Coventry Biennial. She has recently undertaken curatorial projects and research in Madrid, Aarhus and Dublin, as well as at galleries and heritage properties in the West Midlands including Grand Union and Croome. She spent four years as Co-ordinator and then Director at regional visual arts network New Art West Midlands (CVAN) and spent six years as Editorial Manager of contemporary art magazine this is tomorrow. Anneka has worked at art galleries including Tate Modern, Ikon, The New Art Gallery Walsall and Wolverhampton Art Gallery, and on publications including Turner Prize 2021.