2009 NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Classical Music and Opera

About the Institute

The sixth annual Arts Journalism Institute in Classical Music and Opera, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, was held at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism in October, 2009. Twenty-four critics, reporters and editors participated in this learning-immersion experience. Participants were chosen by competitive process from a national pool of applicants representing 21 cities of primarily medium and small-market size across the United States.

The participants attended about three dozen sessions at the Journalism School and around New York City, including eight concerts at iconic classical-music and opera venues, daily behind-the-scenes presentations by renowned academics and experts, a rigorous schedule of classroom seminars on the history and concepts of classical music, small-group meetings with cultural leaders, and intensive writing workshops led by nationally recognized music critics.

In response to recent changes in the coverage of cultural news, the Institute included several sessions on digital and broadcast media. The classes surveyed the new technologies that are available and explored the opportunities and challenges of maintaining a Web presence through blogging. A visit to WNYC’s new broadcast facility and a meeting with the radio station’s leadership outlined changes in the radio environment and at the New York Times, participants met with the culture editor. Additional sessions were designated for training in podcasting and innovative digital music coverage options.

Institute Leadership

Andras Szanto, director
Anya Grundmann, co-director
Joseph Horowitz, artistic director
Jane M. Folpe, associate director, Continuing Education

(Photos/Donald W. Munro)