The Eyebeam Center for the Future of Journalism (ECFJ) is an experimental grant-making program that supports artists and artist-journalist collaborations producing innovative and revelatory journalistic work for major media outlets.
Underwritten by Craig Newmark Philanthropies, ECFJ is the first initiative of its kind to directly facilitate artists’ major media commissions in the realm of journalism. With the belief that artists are central in the invention and design of our shared future, and also critical in shifting public debate, ECFJ supports the execution of pieces that focus on reimagining the way stories are told, particularly around technology and society.
The funds distributed to grantees assist with research, travel, and other expenses many media outlets struggle to cover, allowing stories that are often out of reach in today’s climate to be produced.
Read the full press release here.
In an effort to be responsive to an ever-fluctuating news cycle, artists and artist-journalist teams can apply to ECFJ for support of their work on a rolling basis.
ECFJ supports a variety of work, including: text, photography, audio and video. Artists with longer-term, research-intensive projects are also encouraged to apply.
Apply
Submissions should focus on the following issues:
• Data privacy
• 2020 elections
• Role of technology in society
• Political influence campaigns
• Interrogating harmful technologies
• Countering disinformation
• Artificial Intelligence
Grant support ranges from $500 to $5,000 per project.
Individual artists,collectives, artist-journalist teams (including journalists on staff at a publication) can apply. Collectives must have work samples that reflect a history of working together.
• Domestic and international applicants are welcome.
• Applicants must have an existing commission letter from an editor.
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
• Applications must be in English.
• 300-word project description
• Assignment letter from an editor
• A reference contact or letter of support
• Two samples of past work
• Detailed budget of expenses (travel costs, per diem and research costs are acceptable)
At this time, final pieces must be in English.
Visit our ECFJ FAQ page.
A collection of Eyebeam Center for the Future of Journalism supported pieces published by various media outlets and press.
In a First, Palestinians Challenge Israel’s Settlement Enterprise—in a US Court.
Mairav Zonszein, Sam Lavigne for The Nation
The challenge comes in response to a case filed by Israeli settlers against Airbnb. Artist Sam Lavigne created a visual, linguistic and geographic dataset that explored the images and language of Airbnb ads along with their locations on the map of the West Bank.
Want to Really Block the Tech Giants? Here’s How
Dhruv Mehrotra for Gizmodo
Here, Dhruv Mehrotra talks about the process of creating a VPN for Gizmodo’s deputy editor for the Special Projects Desk, Kashmir Hill, and her five-part series blocking tech giants.
Kashmir Hill forGizmodo
Our very first ECFJ supported piece was a five-part series from artist-technologist Dhruv Mehrotra. Together with Kashmir Hill, Gizmodo’s deputy editor for the Special Projects Desk, he created a VPN that blocked tech giants, including Amazon, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Apple.
Why We Can’t Break Up With Big Tech via NPR
Eyebeam Center Invites Artists to Delve Into Journalism via The New York Times
Eyebeam Launches Arts Grant Program for Journalistic Projects via Artforum
The Founder of Craigslist Is Funding a Program That Pays Artists to Pursue Journalism via artnet
NY nonprofit offers grants to artists producing journalism via AP News
Support this program and the groundbreaking and urgent work of these artist journalists.
The inaugural year of this program has been supported by Craig Newmark Philanthropies.
“Sometimes artists can express truths much more effectively than anyone can with straight explanation. We’re hoping that can be a means to counter disinformation used against us all.” – Craig Newmark
