In search of the inaugural cultural journalism fellow

Round two of the Wave Pool Incubator opened last week to support artists at the most formative and precarious stage of ambitious, long-term initiatives, when ideas need room to take shape, relationships need time to build, and paths toward institutional or philanthropic partnerships are just starting. There are three fellowships available targeted to artists who reside in the Cincinnati region including Northern Kentucky.

“Wave Pool has built something essential—a space where artists drive culture and civic life,” said Boris Oicherman, PhD, who joined Wave Pool as executive director less than one year ago. “When artists create art, they absorb and reflect culture, developing unique skills that help us imagine and build stronger futures. They have the capacity to turn imagination into infrastructure. Wave Pool has shown what that looks like in Cincinnati, and together we’ll deepen this impact—integrating creativity and cultural innovation across the city’s institutions and communities.”

The first cohort began in April 2026 with three fellows intent on establishing physical spaces as community studios to expand support and pathways to professional practice. The spring cohort included Erika NJ Allen, to establish Clay Church, a community ceramics studio in Camp Washington; Matt Whitby, to bring forward an artist-maker studio cooperative in a Lower Price Hill warehouse, and Bethany Pelle to establish Kyndred Clay, a community ceramics studio in Newport’s East Row historic district.

New in this upcoming cohort is a fellowship dedicated to cultural journalism and conceived as a partnership between Wave Pool and Soapbox to co-mentor an aspiring writer. The Cincinnati region is rich in institutional arts and cultural assets attracting, and often retaining, artists who find a supportive environment for a professional career. What the arts and culture community lacks is enough reporters to cover the thousands of innovative ideas and concepts, events, exhibitions and gatherings from our regional artists who work in many art forms and disciplines, including visual, performing, literary and applied arts.

The cultural journalism fellow will establish a lasting cultural journalism initiative: a freelance practice, a new outlet, a new program at Soapbox, or another long-term structure that contributes to innovative journalistic coverage of culture in Cincinnati. You do not need to be a trained journalist to apply, but you need to love writing and be naturally curious and have an idea for a journalistic initiative that can potentially sustain itself past the fellowship.

Interested artists will be based in the Cincinnati region and must apply with a concept. The application for all three fellowships is open through November 1, 2026.

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What: Wave Pool Incubator / Soapbox Cincinnati cultural journalism fellowship

When: Applications are open now through Nov. 1, 2026.

For more information: On Oct. 20, attend an online information webinar at 4:00 p.m. Register here. On Wednesdays, office hours for consultations are open from 4-6 p.m. at Swell Art Café, 2936 Colerain Ave, Camp Washington, Cincinnati.

Fellowship period: Jan. 4, 2027 – July 2, 2027