Arts and Culture Reporter 

Arts and Culture Reporter

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is seeking a dynamic, culturally fluent and digitally savvy reporter to lead our coverage of Milwaukee's vibrant and evolving arts and culture scene. This position is designed to elevate the voices of local creatives, explore the intersection of art and social justice, and connect our diverse communities through storytelling that informs, inspires and engages.

That means writing about and interacting with everyone from major institutions to up-and-coming artists. It might mean writing about a new exhibit at a major museum one day, penning a commentary on a news event the next, and hosting an artist chat at a local gallery on another.

This position is part of a two-year pilot project that has unprecedented grant support from major foundations. To launch this project we need a journalist who relishes the opportunity to innovate and experiment.

This is a unique opportunity to shape a new beat that reflects Milwaukee's creative spirit and cultural complexity. You'll be part of a newsroom committed to impactful journalism and community connection.

If you don't have every skill listed, please don't rule yourself out - let's talk about whether you would be the right fit.

Responsibilities:

• Arts and Culture Coverage: Report on Milwaukee's arts ecosystem, including major institutions like the Milwaukee Art Museum, but with a particular focus on grassroots galleries, performance spaces and public art installations.
• Social Justice Lens: Examine how visual and performing arts intersect with issues of equity, identity and community empowerment.
• Story Development: Pitch and produce compelling enterprise and feature stories that highlight underrepresented artists and cultural movements. We are looking for someone who views no story as too big or too small.
• Multimedia Storytelling: Use photography, video and social media to enhance storytelling and reach audiences across platforms.
• Community Engagement: Serve as a public ambassador for the Journal Sentinel, building relationships with artists, organizations, and readers through events, social media and outreach.
• Collaboration: Work closely with editors and fellow reporters - on the features team and across the newsroom - to ensure comprehensive and inclusive coverage of the area arts scene.
• Reach: Produce high-impact coverage that reaches people in and outside of Milwaukee's arts community.

• Bachelor's or master's degree in journalism, communications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience covering the arts, culture or social justice.
• Strong writing, reporting and interviewing skills with a keen eye for detail and narrative.
• Proficiency in digital tools and platforms including social media, mobile photography/video and content management systems.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced newsroom.
• Deep curiosity about Milwaukee's cultural landscape and a commitment to inclusive storytelling.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

1. Your resume - one to two pages.
2. A cover letter outlining how you would approach the internship and what you hope to gain from the experience.
3. Links to no more than three published stories, writing samples.