Open Call: Art Writing Workshop with Amy Sherlock in collaboration with Art Basel

Phileas, Opernring 17, 1010 Vienna
4–7 December 2025

Can you capture an artist’s depth and vision – in just a few hundred words? It's a challenge familiar to every art writer: how to introduce wide-ranging and complex artistic practices to different audiences without losing nuance.

Phileas – The Austrian Office for Contemporary Art, together with writer and editor Amy Sherlock, is offering a four-day, free-to-attend workshop from 4 to 7 December 2025, designed to address exactly this challenge. The workshop is open to eight emerging journalists, authors, and art critics, who are keen to expand their skills.

The programme will focus on short-form profiles of Vienna-based artists, developed through a series of workshops and studio visits. It will provide practical advice as well as real-world publishing experience. The texts will appear on Art Basel's widely read Stories digital magazine.

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 Opernring 17, 1010 Vienna, with full in-person attendance required. The venue is wheelchair accessible.

Two weeks before the workshop begins, participants will be assigned an artist living and working in Vienna about whom they will write. This will allow ample time for research. During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to meet their assigned artist and visit their studio.

The deadline for applications is Monday 6 October 2025, 23:59 (CET).

For further information and to apply, click here.

Art Writing workshop at Phileas, March 2025. Photo: Lea Sonderegger