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2024 Arts Writing Prize Submissions

The Southern Alberta Art Gallery Maansiksikaitsitapiitsinikssin is excited to announce the 13th annual SAAG Arts Writing Prize. This prize aims to recognize and support emerging writers whose writing relates to the field of contemporary art. Art writing is essential to supporting a healthy art ecosystem, providing access points for contemporary art practice, engaging different voices in the field, and encouraging and developing discourse in the arts. 

Writers can be considered for one or both of this year’s categories: Arts Writing and the Aruna D’Souza Award for BIPOC Writers. The requirements and prizes for each category are listed below. All entries are eligible to be published in the 2024 SAAG Arts Writing Prize Reader, made in-house at the Gallery’s Tiny Press. All submitters will be provided with a complimentary copy of the reader. 

This prize focuses on submissions of writing about contemporary art. This includes but is not limited to: exhibition reviews, critical essays, ekphrasis, etc. We will also consider experimental and innovative approaches to writing about contemporary art, including poetry, prose, creative fiction, etc. 

The Arts Writing Prize and Aruna D’Souza Award will be assessed based on the following criteria: 

  • Artistic Impact (30%): The submitted piece of writing is effective and interesting. The submitted piece of writing demonstrates a new and exciting contribution to the field of art writing.
  • Connection to art (30%): The submitted piece of writing provides a unique and insightful perspective on contemporary art, art history, and/or artistic practice.
  • Originality (20%): The submitted piece of writing shows imagination, creativity, and individuality. The submitted piece of writing demonstrates a unique perspective.
  • Technical excellence (20%): The writer demonstrates a high level of skill in their craft, and rigor and intentionality in their chosen format. 

If you have any questions about the prize or application process, please review the full call for submissions at https://www.saag.ca/programs/arts-writing-prize, including the FAQ, or contact Heather Kehoe, Program & Event Coordinator, at hkehoe@saag.ca. 

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Name and/or pen-name  *
Preferred pronouns
Email  *
Phone number *
Mailing Address *
Social media and/or website
Title of submitted piece *
Short bio (100-200 words, this will be published in the SAAG Writing Prize Reader if selected) *
Please select which awards you are submitting to *
Required
Please confirm that you and your submission meet the requirement criteria for the award, including that: 
- you are at least 18 years of age at time of entry, and that you reside in Canada (regardless of citizenship status) or are a Canadian living abroad
- You are an emerging writer, and have not published more than one piece of art writing in a recognized print or online publication, exclusive of student-run journals and magazines, as well as self-published works
- your submission is under 1000 words and is original and previously unpublished work 
 *
Required
To submit your work, please send a PDF of your submission to Program & Event Coordinator Heather Kehoe, hkehoe@saag.ca. Please note that your submission will be reviewed and potentially published as submitted.  *
Required

Writers retain all copyright to their submitted work. All writers are eligible to be included in the 2024 SAAG Arts Writing Prize Reader, published in-house by the Gallery. Please select whether you would like your work to be included in this year's Reader.

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All writers can receive a copy of the 2024 SAAG Arts Writing Prize Reader, regardless of whether they choose to have their work published in the reader. Would you like to receive a copy of this year's Reader? 
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