Fees and Tips

The cost of the Art Commentary Program enables us to offer dedicated space, curriculum, guest speakers, tickets to events, print and digital publication, refreshments and facilitation. 

Participants handle their own lodging, meals, and travel to and within Pittsburgh.

The placement fee is $3,000. A non‑refundable deposit of $1,000, for the September/October cohort, is due by August 1st.

There are philanthropic organizations that include foundations that may be interested in covering the cost of a program like this. Foundations have specific missions of which they are seeking to accomplish, and some view arts as a priority. We believe that the people who complete this program will serve as leaders, connectors and conversation holders. Dynamic individuals who can help foundations reach their goals.

Each city or region has foundations that take the lead in funding these activities. There are smaller foundations, trusts or individuals who also perform this work. Below are some tips when inquiring about sponsorships.

Research philanthropic organizations within your region. Research priorities and projects, in the arts, initiatives that have been funded historically. Find any contact information of program managers within the arts or find a contact page for general inquiries. Request a conversation or meeting, if possible. Have a Letter of Intent (LOI) prepared as well as information on the Art Commentary Program available to share.

Be prepared to speak on where you are in your art journey and where you want to be. Have talking points that highlight your observations of your art community and its shortcomings. Prepare to speak to how YOU may address these shortcomings once you go through the program?

Have prepared a budget that will justify your ask (Don’t forget the ask!).

Be sure that your grammar and intentions are clear in anything that is shared. Have your filetypes be accessible. Also, refrain from using AI. This is a journalism program at its core so any potential funder will want to see that you are doing this the right way.

From our experience, enthusiasm and being able to communicate why and how are essential.

We have prepared a template for you to use to help shape your ask. Personalize it to your own experiences.

Important Dates

Application Opening – June 7th

Application Due Date – July 15th

Round One Notification – July 25th

Deposit Due – August 1st

Workshop One – September 2nd

Final Workshop – October 28th