critical writing open call 2026
Recess invites applications for the 2026–2027 Critical Writing cohort.
Critical Writing at Recess initiates meaningful exchange between artists and writers and supports the mutual production of new work. Through a practice-led approach, the program brings together a cohort of writers to engage artists in the Recess community, develop new texts, and collectively produce a digital reader of contemporary art writing.
Throughout the program, each writer commits to publishing two texts while collaborating with the cohort to develop and edit a digital reader that places the Recess archive in conversation with texts from across the field.
The program runs August 2026 through June 2027, with monthly gatherings that alternate between virtual and in-person sessions.
Program Structure
The Critical Writing program centers dialogue between writers and artists while fostering new forms of critical engagement with contemporary art.
The cohort will:
Meet monthly in facilitated sessions with invited artists, editors, and cultural workers
Develop new writing in a 8-10 week editorial timeline through peer exchange and editorial workshops
Publish two original texts in reflection of Session projects during the program year
Collaboratively produce a digital reader connecting the Recess textual archive with art writing from across the field
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.