New Architecture Writers is a free, year-long programme for young people of colour.
It was founded in 2017 to develop the journalistic skill, editorial connections and critical voice of its participants. N.A.W. focuses on emerging writers from backgrounds that are under-represented in design journalism and curation. A series of evening workshops, talks, and writing briefs form the core of the programme with mentoring from experienced journalists and editors throughout.
The organisers have just published an open call for members of the 2022 cohort, the programme’s fourth iteration. Aspiring writers of colour aged under 30 who are based in London are invited to submit a short text by
Friday 7 January 2022 at 18:00 GMT.
Further details can be found on the N.A.W. website: http://newarchitecturewriters.org/open-call-2021/call-for-applications-2022/
Former members have received commissions from the Architectural Review, Wallpaper, ICON, Vice, Frame, and the Architects Journal. They have gone on to jobs with prominent media organisations and have founded the writing collective Afterparti, which publishes its own zine and has featured in the international design press. The latest cohort has just produced a live event and publication on the theme of hosting.
N.A.W. is run by Thomas Aquilina and Tom Wilkinson with the support of the Architecture Foundation and Architectural Review, as well as a number of contributors from across journalism and design. The advisory board is composed of Farshid Moussavi, Lesley Lokko, Adrian Lahoud, David Ogunmuyiwa and Priya Khanchandani.
Our alumni say:
‘The quality of the programme is incredible... It challenged what I classed as architectural journalism.’ Nana Biamah Ofosu
‘N.A.W. went way beyond my expectations of a free course... It broadened my expectations of my career, gave me new skills and deepened my understanding of what writing and architecture could do. I met people who continue to inspire me years on, and I feel indebted to the programme for my direction now.’ Aoi Phillips
You can watch the third cohort speak about their experience of the programme here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6EwIjq8j88
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