public program, masterclass series

The Critic’s Craft: Writing engaging and ethical arts criticism


January 22 and January 23, 2021

When: 1pm to 3pm

Where: The Mill Exhibition Space, 154 Angas St

Cost: $20 + booking fee (attend both for $30 + booking fee using discount code)


Presented by The Mill and Jess Martin, this two part workshop series will guide participants through the essential skills of writing engaging and generous arts criticism, including how to develop a critical voice and start getting published as a reviewer.

About the workshops:

Workshop One, January 22: Pitching and Structure for Arts Reviews

This workshop will cover the ins and outs of choosing what to write about and pitching to publications. We will also get into how to structure a review to achieve clarity, word length, and the expectations of publishers. Workshop One will deliver local industry knowledge for getting published as well as the key skills to get started as a reviewer.

Workshop Two, January 23: Writing Approaches and the Ethics of Arts Criticism

Workshop Two is all about the skills to make your writing stand out and develop toward a career as a generous and engaging arts critic. This workshop will also discuss how to make responsible choices in writing positive and negative reviews, and how to find bold and interesting angles to write from. We’ll get into the nitty gritty of writing techniques, how to frame feedback for performers, as well as how to get readers’ attention and keep them on the hook for your whole review.