EAF are teaming up with the Skinny for a fifth year running to commission four emerging art writers to write about the EAF26 Programme. The project aims to platform Scotland-based, early career writers from backgrounds underrepresented in journalism, through a mentored, paid opportunity to be published, in print and online, by The Skinny.

Four emerging writers will be commissioned to write two articles, each on a different element of the EAF26 Festival: one EAF commission, and one Partner commission. Each writer will have one article published in the August 2026 print issue of the Skinny, followed by an online article published during August.

At least one of these Emerging Writers Awards will be reserved for a BPOC writer, reflecting the underrepresentation of BPOC writers in Scotland, as well as the ways race often intersects with class and gender marginalisation in the arts.

All articles will be published in print and online at The Skinny by the end of 2026. All writers will be supported by a group workshop with The Skinny’s Art Editor, Rachel Ashenden. Each writer will be paid £150, equal to £75 per article. There is also a separate access fund available for writers with additional support needs. 

Who this is for

• Writers who can show an interest in writing about visual art, especially in Scotland.
• Writers who have not written for the Skinny’s Art Section before.
• Writers who are historically underrepresented in Scottish cultural journalism, including: Disabled and neurodivergent writers, female writers, LGBTQ+ writers, writers of colour, working class writers, and writers from rural areas.
• As described, one role is reserved for a BPOC artist. 
• We are open to a range of creative approaches to the commission. Interview-based, research-based, personal, political, poetic — show us what makes your work unique!

About the Awards

As an Emerging Writer, you will:

• Take part in a writing workshop with Rachel Ashenden.
• Write two articles for publication during EAF26 responding to two parts of the EAF26 Programme: one EAF commission, and one Partner Gallery commission. 
• Receive a fee of £150.

How to apply

Complete this Google Form with information about yourself and your interest in this commission.

Confirm whether you would like to put yourself forward for the BPOC writer opportunity.

Include a CV and two samples of writing on visual art (published or unpublished.)

Application deadline: Sunday 12 April 2026, 11.59pm

You can find information about past Festivals here, to get a sense of what you might be responding to. You may also want to read examples of Emerging Writers’ work from 2025, 2024, and 2023.

If you have any other questions, please contact [email protected]