Art Commentary Program
The Art Commentary Program is a training intensive for those interested in becoming art-thought and conversation leaders within their respective cities. Our model requires participants to engage artists, groups and venues with their writing, interviews, filming and critique.
Much of this work falls upon the shoulders of artists. It has shown to be unsustainable and exhausting. We want our artists to be creatives and not have to be the space-makers, the marketers, the translators or fill any other role. Many of our cities lack infrastructure for this to be a reality.
The Art Commentary Program is a two-month, hands-on experience that is addressing these inefficiencies. The onsite program is held in Pittsburgh, PA.
Tuition is $3,000, which includes ten workshops, tickets to events, guest speakers, food and publishing materials.
Wick Monet Art Commentary Program
We are training to utilize a community-centered set of skills that will enable them to build and uphold more dynamic and sustainable art ecosystems. All 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 many of our existing art infrastructure with an added emphasis on journalism & critique, with Pittsburgh being the primary learning environment.
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 art scene. This cycle of engagement and promotion will benefit the entire community, reinforcing the importance of conversation and the in-person experience as pillars of cultural growth,
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 their respective art worlds will thrive with fresh perspectives and meaningful engagement.
Program Window:
September 2nd - October 28th
Important Dates
Application Opening – June 7th
Application Due Date – July 15th
Round One Notification – July 25th
Deposit Due – August 1st
Purpose of the Program
Wick Monet is dedicated to enriching participants’ artistic landscapes 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
Those working from home who want to try something new
Planned Workshops – (Ten) 2-4 hour sessions.
Workshop 1: Welcome Session
(Orientation to Pittsburgh, who we are, and the program)
Date: September 2, 2025
Workshop 2: Overview of Pittsburgh/Exploring a Healthy Dialogue
(Introduction to the city as a group and communication skill-building)
Date: September 6, 2025
Workshop 3: Surveying the White Cube
(Basics of Art History & its biases)
Date: September 13, 2025
Workshop 4: Art Writing
(Collaboration and Self Improvement)
Date: September 16, 2025
Workshop 5: Team Building
Date: September 23, 2025
Workshop 6: Living Cadaver
(Group interview of an artist)
Date: September 27, 2025
Workshop 7: Surviving the Muck
(Time Management skill development)
Date: October 4, 2025
Workshop 8: Radiant Hall
(We will tour working artists’ studios)
Date: October 11, 2025
Workshop 9: The Internet Loves Videos
(Collaboration and Self Improvement)
Date: October 21,2025
Workshop 3: Closing: Food for Thought
(POTLUCK & closing)
Date: October 28, 2025
Outputs
Participants will produce three journals, four written commentaries and one video commentary over the two-month program. These will revolve around artists, events, institutions, and broader artistic elements in Pittsburgh. Written commentaries will range between 600 to 1200 words, while filmed ones will last 4 to 12 minutes.
Completion of program will require 80% attendance, completion of all assignments and one reading.
Written materials will appear in our in-print and digital journal The Commentary.
By the end of the program, participants will have a rich portfolio of commentaries, interviews, and video content, showcasing their new and/or improved capabilities and readiness to contribute and lead in any art context.