Wick Monet Art Commentary Program
We are training thoughtful art ambassadors to utilize a set of skills that will enable them to build and uphold a more dynamic and sustainable art ecosystem within Pittsburgh.
Program Overview
The Wick Monet Art Commentary Program is perfect for artists, aspiring journalists, and art enthusiasts passionate about enriching the community’s art experience and their skillsets. The program will address critical gaps within Pittsburgh’s existing art infrastructure with an added emphasis on journalism & critique.
Participants will partake in a series of interactive workshops and create numerous written and filmed pieces that document their own or others’ experiences. They will have opportunities to collaborate with prominent figures, gaining the skills needed to produce insightful, context-aware analyses that resonate both locally and globally.
The commentary produced will be shared across various platforms to inform a wider audience—including individuals, companies, and institutions—about Pittsburgh’s vibrant art scene. This cycle of engagement and promotion will benefit the entire community, reinforcing the importance of conversation and in-person appreciation as pillars of cultural and intellectual enrichment.
We believe that this program builds a sustainable, impactful, and innovative path forward for art dialogue. Our appreciation for the power of art and the potential of people strengthens belief that participants will ensure that the Pittsburgh art scene thrives with fresh perspectives and renewed engagement.
Program Window:
June - November 2024
Purpose of the Program
Wick Monet is dedicated to enriching the Pittsburgh artistic landscape by:
Repositioning Existing Resources: Creating mechanisms that elevate individuals' passion for art, providing structure, and building confidence.
Advancing Critical Skills and Community Building: Enhancing the quality of discourse in art conversations and appreciation through structured workshops that promote understanding and expression.
Developing Leadership: Equipping emerging artists and art enthusiasts with the necessary skills to lead and innovate in cultural discussions and artistic presentations.
Building Regional Profile: Establishing a sustainable platform for the perpetual promotion of local art on both national and international stages.
Who should apply?
Participants should have a foundational interest in the arts and be ready to deepen their engagement with, and impact on, the artistic community of Pittsburgh. Those who may be interested:
Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Art Historians
Gallery Curators and Staff
Aspiring or Practicing Cultural Journalists
Art Enthusiasts
Planned Workshops – Roughly 4 hour sessions, held once a month
Workshop 1: Overview of Pittsburgh Artistic Communities
(Communications and Community Building)
Date: June 8, 2024
Workshop 2: Exploring a Healthy Dialogue
(Hard skills, Arts)
Date: July 13, 2024
Workshop 3: Surviving 'the Muck'
(Collaboration and Self Improvement)
Date: August 3, 2024
Workshop 4: Views from the White Cube
(Communication and Arts)
Date: September 7, 2024
Workshop 5: Views from Outside
(Community Building and Self-Improvement)
Date: October 5, 2024
Workshop 6: Food for Thought
(Collaboration and Hard Skills)
Date: November 2, 2024
Outputs
Participants will produce six commentaries over the six-month program. These will revolve around artists, events, institutions, and broader artistic elements in Pittsburgh. Templates will be available to aid those unfamiliar with this format. Written commentaries will range between 600 to 1200 words, while filmed ones will last 10 to 12 minutes.
Additionally, participants will volunteer at one regional art event and host one community-focused event at Wick Monet, enhancing their engagement and visibility in the local art scene in addition to building understanding of what goes into an event.
Wick Monet is developing various internal publishing and distribution methods and aims to have the most impactful commentaries published externally.
By the end of the program, participants will have a rich portfolio of commentaries, interviews, and video content, showcasing their enhanced capabilities and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the art dialogue in Pittsburgh and beyond.