Democracy Center Announces the Fourth Annual Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship Focused on Visual Art Criticism

LOS ANGELES, CA –The Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy (Democracy Center) at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) announces the fourth annual Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship (Yamamoto Fellowship) with a focus on visual art. The fellowship encourages emerging arts writers of color to write about works from their own cultural and political perspectives, enriching and broadening cultural criticism as a practice and profession. 

Writers of color have knowledge and experiences that differ from the dominant Eurocentric ones, and their perspectives give art produced by marginalized communities the depth of attention and consideration it deserves. The fellowship encourages critics of color starting out in the field to continue writing about works from their own cultural and political perspectives, enriching and broadening cultural criticism as a practice and profession. By supporting and highlighting these voices, the fellowship broadens public discourse and strengthens participation in cultural conversations by diverse communities.

The Yamamoto Fellowship will award two $5,000 unrestricted awards to two emerging arts writers of color who write critically about visual art. Each writer will receive a $5,000 award to be spent over six months. Submissions are accepted through Monday, March 16, 2026, and selections will be made in June 2026.

“In this time of increased repression and censorship, amid the ongoing collapse of the journalism industry, this award is meant  to encourage emerging writers of color. Their voices and perspectives are especially needed to challenge white supremacy in our cultural discourse and beyond,” said Sharon Mizota, who funded the fellowship through a gift to honor her late aunt. 

Eligible applicants must:

• Reside in or be a citizen of the US
• Be at least 18 years of age 
• Identify as a member of a community with ancestry in one of the original peoples of Africa, Asia, the Americas, Oceania, or Pacific Islands
• Have less than two years of publication experience, which may include a blog or self-publishing
• Have demonstrated a commitment to writing about visual art

Applicants cannot be an immediate relative of a JANM or Democracy Center employee, or of a funder. Previous recipients of an Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship are not eligible.
All eligible applications will be reviewed by a panel of professional writers and editors who cover the visual arts. More information will be available at janm.org/democracy.

The Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship is made possible through a gift from Sharon Mizota to honor Irene Yamamoto. This project is also supported by Critical Minded, a grantmaking and learning initiative whose work is focused on resourcing and raising the visibility of critics of color and writers through direct support to publications and individuals, research, and convening. 

About Irene Yamamoto

Irene Yamamoto (1937–2020) was a lifelong lover of the arts. Born in Los Angeles, she was incarcerated with her family during World War II in the Gila River concentration camp in Arizona. Upon returning to Los Angeles, she attended UCLA and had a long career as a production artist for several design and advertising agencies. In her free time, she loved to draw, learn new languages, visit museums, and travel. 

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About the Japanese American National Museum (JANM)

Established in 1985, JANM promotes understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience. Located in the historic Little Tokyo district of downtown Los Angeles, JANM is a center for civil rights, ensuring that the hard-fought lessons of World War II incarceration are not forgotten. A Smithsonian Affiliate and one of America’s Cultural Treasures, JANM is a hybrid institution that straddles traditional museum categories. JANM is a center for the arts as well as history. It provides a voice for Japanese Americans and a forum that enables all people to explore their own heritage and culture. Since opening to the public in 1992, JANM has presented over one hundred exhibitions onsite while traveling forty exhibits to venues such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Ellis Island Museum in the United States, and to several leading cultural museums in Japan and South America. JANM’s Pavilion is closed for renovation; programs will continue on the JANM campus, throughout Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Southern California, and beyond from early January 2025 through late 2026. For more information, visit janm.org/OnTheGo or follow us on social media @jamuseum.

About the Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy (Democracy Center)

The Democracy Center is a place where visitors can examine the Asian American experience, past and present, and talk about race, identity, social justice, and the shaping of democracy. It convenes and educates people of all ages about democracy to transform attitudes, celebrate culture, and promote civic engagement; educates and informs the public and public officials about important issues; creates strength within and among communities to advocate for positive change; and explores the values that shape American democracy. The Democracy Center looks for solutions that engage communities in self-advocacy, explore the evolving idea of what it means to be an American, and result in actions that bring everyone together. JANM’s Pavilion is closed for renovation; Democracy Center programs will continue on the JANM campus, throughout Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Southern California, and beyond from early January 2025 through late 2026. For more information, visit janm.org/OnTheGo or follow us on social media @democracyjanm.