We are doing things differently next year. We welcome writers to pitch to us about things they feel passionate about, things that they are experts in.
This year, we have 6 types of article categories you can pitch for:
1. Insights
Insights provide a multi-perspective look at an issue from the art world, involving expert and practitioner interviews. Interviewees’ opinions need to be balanced with informed research on local, national or global climate.
Word count: 1,000 to 1,200 words
2. Opinions
Opinion pieces contain strong and well-informed opinions about topics in the art world. It can be about a pressing issue or a review of a significant exhibition or event.
Word count: 800 to 1,000 words
Example: What the Malaysian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale really says about us
3. Artist Feature
Our monthly Artist Feature focuses on the artist’s artwork; how it ‘speaks’ about the artist’s opinions and worldview. The writer is not a mouthpiece to the artist. What the artist says, what their artwork says, should come through the lens of the writer’s understanding and research.
Word count: 600 to 800 words
Example: Photo festival founder Vignes Balasingam on the urgent task of documentation
4. Community Feature
Our Community Feature highlights art venues or arts organisations. How does the place or organisation function and sustain itself? What is the philosophy behind it and how does that come across in reality?
Word count: 600 to 800 words
Example: If art doesn’t sell, how does an art hub sustain itself?
5. Easy Read
An Easy Read uses condensed and well-researched writing to get to the point quickly. It is usually presented in a ‘how-to’ or list format, touching on topics that are of general interest to the arts community.
Word count: 600 to 800 words
Example: Rethinking public art in 5 murals or 3 ways to make money as an artist in Malaysia
6. Artwork of the Month
This feature is a condensed, bite-sized background and analysis of a selected artwork. Artwork featured should be available for viewing – whether it’s part of a gallery’s permanent collection or uploaded online.
Word count: 200 to 300 words
Example: Artwork of the Week: Mens Ceremony
Pitching format
Email Penang Art District at info@penangartdistrict.com with the following:
- Subject title: Writing Pitch
- 4 – 5 lines describing what the article will be about. What is its intent.
- A point-form breakdown of the sequence of your key points.
Your whole pitch shouldn’t go beyond 200 words. It’s just to convey your ideas, which will be refined later with our Editor, Adeline Chua.
If you have further inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@penangartdistrict.com.