The Arts Critics’ Exchange Programme was run by Visiting Arts as one of over 40 arts and cultural events showcasing Northern Ireland as part of the Rediscover Northern Ireland programme.

Designed to encourage an increase in arts criticism coverage in the Northern Ireland press, it brought together three writers and journalists from Northern Ireland with three of their counterparts from Washington DC.

The programme sought to demystify arts criticism by enabling participants to develop their critical faculties thereby assisting them in establishing themselves as arts critics; to create a network of contacts within Northern Ireland and Washington DC; as well as providing an opportunity to get to know a country by immersion in its arts and culture.

The two-week programme was spent in Northern Ireland and Washington DC, with both weeks following a similar format of structured teaching and discussion, exploring the role of the arts critic. Writing reviews to deadline was a major feature, replicating the pressure faced by practicing arts critics, and also allowing for structured feedback on submissions, to improve skills and confidence.

A packed programme included classroom sessions with leading arts critics during the day and performances in the evening. The art form focus for both weeks was literature, theatre and visual arts thereby generating a deeper understanding and exploration of themes and issues. In order to explore the physical landscape as well as the cultural one, contextualisation was arranged during both weeks with a 2-day tour of the Northern Ireland included in the first week, and a city centre tour and trip to Anacostia whilst in Washington DC.

"The fact is that every one of us has left this course smiling, happy and in an extremely positive frame of mind about becoming arts critics. I feel we have gained a much greater understanding of the role of the arts critic and the do’s and don’ts of establishing this niche in our future careers."
Matthew McCreary

"I have heard of no other programs for young and aspiring critics, and this course has given me the courage and tools to pursue criticism."
Alison MacAdam

"This has been a wholly rewarding experience, one I know I’ll never forget. I am grateful to have been chosen, and more grateful still to have been the beneficiary of so much time and attention from so many accomplished people ... I have just filed the first piece for my new art column. I know for a fact that I wouldn’t have been offered this job were it not for my participation in this Arts Critics’ Exchange Program."
Chris Klimek
 

Image: Matthew McCreary and Owen McCafferty © Chris Klimek

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