Open Call: Art Writing Workshop on the Artist Interview in collaboration with the Brooklyn Rail
Phileas, Opernring 17, 1010 Vienna
2–4 December 2026
A compelling interview begins long before the first question is asked. How do you research an artist’s work, prepare meaningful lines of enquiry, listen actively, and guide a conversation that reveals an artist's ideas and process while remaining open to the unexpected?
Phileas – The Austrian Office for Contemporary Art, together with Chloe Stagaman, Director of Programs at the Brooklyn Rail, is offering a three-day, free-to-attend workshop on 2, 3 & 4 December 2026, focused on the art of preparing for and conducting insightful interviews with artists. The workshop is open to six emerging journalists based in Austria.
The programme will explore the artist interview as a format, examining different approaches and examples from the Brooklyn Rail archive, as well as techniques for researching and preparing for an interview. Participants will be assigned artists, and with guidance from the Brooklyn Rail’s Director of Programs, will develop research dossiers and key areas of enquiry for their interviews.
Each participant will conduct a 30-minute interview with an assigned artist, developing five key “content areas” to guide the conversation. The interviews will be recorded, transcribed and edited with input from the participant and artist before being published on the widely-read Brooklyn Rail website in January 2027.
We welcome applications from all aspiring journalists, writers and art critics (employed or freelance, over 18) who are based in Austria. The workshop will be conducted in English. Participants will have full expenses covered, including travel, food and accommodation (if based outside of Vienna).
The workshop will be held at Phileas – The Austrian Office for Contemporary Art, Opernring 17, 1010 Vienna, with full in-person attendance required. The venue is wheelchair accessible.
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Wednesday 2 December
Introduction to the Artist Interview: Analysis, Assignments, and PreparationThursday 3 December
Looking and Writing: Exhibition visits and determination of questionsFriday 4 December
In the Studio: Conducting the Interview
Debrief with Q&A sessionFollowing the three-day workshop, texts will be edited by Chloe Stagaman, in dialogue with each workshop participant and artist, and prepared for publication on the Brooklyn Rail website in January 2027.
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Chloe Stagaman (b. 1991, Cincinnati) is a curator and writer. Her published artist interviews and reviews can be found in the Brooklyn Rail where, since 2022, she has been Director of Programs and overseen more than 800 freely accessible and archived virtual conversations with artists, poets, filmmakers, musicians and critics for the journal’s New Social Environment program.
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This workshop is open to journalists, writers and art critics (employed or freelance, over 18), who are based in Austria. Applicants should have published no more than three pieces of art writing in English.
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Current CV in PDF format
One published or unpublished piece of writing, no longer than 350 words, about an individual artist or exhibition in English
A 150-word statement about why you are applying to the workshop and what you hope to gain from it, including the field or category of art with which you currently engage
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Founded in October 2000 and currently published 10 times annually, the Brooklyn Rail provides an independent forum for arts, culture, and politics throughout New York City and far beyond. The journal, in addition to featuring social and political meditations, criticism of music, dance, film, and theater; and original fiction and poetry, covers past and contemporary visual art in particular depth. In order to democratize the art coverage, the Critics Page functions with a rotating editorship.
The Rail further fulfils its mission by curating art exhibitions, panel discussions, reading series and film screenings that reflect the complexity and inventiveness of the city’s artistic and cultural landscape.
As a nonprofit organization, the Rail distributes its journal free of charge around New York City, and ships to a growing list of national and international subscribers. For more information, please visit www.brooklynrail.org.
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Phileas – The Austrian Office for Contemporary Art
Nell Hargrove artwriting@phileas.art
The deadline for applications is: Monday 5 October 2026, 23:59 (CET)
Late applications will not be accepted. Applicants will be informed by early November, whether they have been selected. You will also be notified if you have not been selected. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.
The selection of participants will be made by Chloe Stagaman, Director of Programs at the Brooklyn Rail, and representatives of Phileas – The Austrian Office for Contemporary Art.
