The Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy (Democracy Center) at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) is thrilled to announce the 3rd annual Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship. This year’s fellowship will award $5,000 unrestricted awards to two emerging writers of color who write critically about music.

Writers of color have knowledge and experiences that differ from the dominant Eurocentric ones, and their perspectives give art produced by marginalized communities the depth of attention and consideration it deserves. The fellowship seeks to encourage critics of color starting out in the field to continue writing about works from their own cultural and political perspectives, enriching and broadening cultural criticism as a practice and profession. By supporting and highlighting these voices, the fellowship seeks to broaden public discourse and strengthen participation in cultural conversations by diverse communities.
 

About the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy

The Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy (Democracy Center) at JANM, convenes and educates people of all ages about democracy to transform attitudes, celebrate culture, and promote civic engagement. The Democracy Center is a place for dialogue about race and social justice, where visitors can examine contemporary and historical frameworks, including the Asian American experience. 

2025 Focus: Music

The fellowship focuses on a different artistic discipline each year. This year’s focus is music.

In order to ensure full consideration of your application, please make sure your writing samples are works of criticism or reviews of live or recorded music. Although music is experienced in many different contexts, for the purposes of this award, music is defined as a creation that is experienced primarily as sound. For example:

• A review of a film’s soundtrack would be appropriate, but not a review of the film.
• Criticism of an audio recording of songs from an opera or musical theater production would be considered, whereas a response to the overall production would not.
• Critical views on the music industry, its figures, or trends are acceptable, as long as they are directly related to the artistry, production, or reception of music.

Above all, writing samples must provide a critical, analytical, or interpretive perspective on a piece or pieces of music. 

Award

Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowships will be awarded to two (2) emerging writers of color, each of whom receive a $5,000 award to be spent over a six-month period.

The awards are unrestricted. Funds may be used for any purpose that helps the fellows advance their careers, including paying themselves to write.

In addition to the cash award, the fellows are given the opportunity to write a piece of criticism or review of a musical work for the Democracy Center blog as well as the opportunity to deliver a talk at the Democracy Center at JANM on their work.

A brief, written report in the form of a letter accounting for the use of funds is required at the end of the fellowship period. No receipts or other documentation is required. 

Review Process

All eligible applications for this competitive award will be reviewed by a panel of professional writers and editors who cover music and who will determine the final two recipients.

Application Requirements

Applicants are required to submit through our online portal. Applicants should be prepared to submit the following: 

• Name, contact information, website, pronouns, race/ethnicity.
• Cover letter (Word or PDF)  introducing themselves, their work, why they are applying for the fellowship, and how they would spend the money (1000 words or less).
• Resume or CV (Word or PDF) that includes all relevant published works.
• Biography summarizing your background and writing interests (500 words or less)
• Writing samples (Word or PDF):
  • You may upload between one (1) and three (3) writing samples. Altogether, all writing samples should not exceed 3,000 words.
  • Links to websites where the sample was published are not a substitute for the actual written sample.
  • The written sample should include information as to where and when the piece was published or appeared.
  • Samples should reflect an interest and investment in music.
  • Please do not submit works whose final, published form is an interview.
    
     

Timeline:
 

February 3, 2025—Application Opens

February 17, 2025 (10 a.m. PST)—Virtual information session for potential applicants. Click Here to Register.

March 17, 2025—Application Closes

June 2, 2025—Awardees Notified

Questions?

Please email democracycenter@janm.org with any questions you may have about submitting your application. 

Click Here to Register for the 

2025 Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship Informational Session
 

Eligibility Criteria

All Applicants must:

• Be a US citizen or currently reside within the US
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Identify as a member of a community with ancestry in one of the original peoples of Africa, Asia, the Americas, Oceania, or Pacific Islands
• Have less than two years of publication experience, which may include a blog or self-publishing
• Have demonstrated a commitment to writing about music

Applicants cannot be an immediate relative of a JANM or Democracy Center employee, or of a funder.  

Previous recipients of an Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship are not eligible.