We’re looking for stories about sites, scenes, and experiences in the Midwest — places and spaces distinctly of this region that excite and inspire — a must-see for any Midwest traveler or your new-to-town neighbor!
Our stories have covered a one-of-a-kind museum in Wisconsin preserving artist-built environments, Indigenous chefs turning the table on Native foodways, a tour of Arab Indianapolis, art-focused hotels in the Midwest, an art fair by, of and for Black artists, and the frozen custard capital of the world.
We’re excited to bring more stories that show the expansiveness of cultural experiences and distinctiveness of communities in the Midwest. So, if you have a great story from your community, pitch it to us!
We’re focusing on stories from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and the Native Nations that share this geography. Pitches from outside of this region will not be considered.
Pitches are due March 25, 2024.
Selected pitches will be contracted for written feature articles, to be published by Arts Midwest’s Creativity News Desk starting mid-May 2024. We plan to contract at least six stories from this open call. Refer to the rate sheet below for compensation details.
Timeline & Compensation
- February 26, 2024 – Call for Pitches opens
- March 25 – Call for Pitches closes
- Week of April 8 – Notifications to selected pitches
- Mid-May to July – Stories published
| Deliverable | Length | Compensation* |
|---|---|---|
| Short-Form Feature Story | 500-750 words | $500 |
| Full Feature Story | 750-1,000 words | $750 |
| Three-Story Written Package | Up to 750 words per story | $2,000 |
| *RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING ON THE SCOPE OF EACH STORY. |
How To Pitch Us
The Call for Pitches will close on March 25, 2024. We’ll send notifications to selected pitches during the week of April 8.
To pitch us, fill out our pitch submission form. You’ll be asked for the following information:
- What does your story feature? (50 words)
- Tell us about what you’d like to feature and what makes it a special experience that excites and inspires?
- What is the story you’d like to share about this place or experience? (100 words)
- Tell us a little more about the specific angle you’d like to approach the story from. What aspects of the story/subject are you most interested in? What parts of this story excite and inspire you as a traveler?
- What is your connection to the story/subject? (50 words)
- Why this story or subject?
- Will you be the writer for the story idea you’re pitching?
- Yes.
- No, I’m just submitting the idea for Arts Midwest to assign to someone else.
- If you answered ‘Yes’ above, provide a short bio about you and your work. (100 words)
- Provide links to up to three work samples and/or a portfolio so we can get an idea of your range of work.
- Work samples do not have to be published works, but should show your reporting, interviewing, and writing skills.
Our Travel Coverage
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In Wisconsin, Glimpse Into Artist-Built Environments From Around the World
January 30, 2024
Sheboygan’s Art Preserve, a one-of-a-kind museum, gives us a privileged insight into the imaginations of artists whose work was often overlooked during their lifetimes.
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An Arab Indy Cultural Tour with Historian Edward Curtis IV
November 28, 2023
There’s a century-old history of Arab life and culture in Indianapolis. The author shares some of the city’s rich Arab history, and its cultural and culinary treasures.
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From Foraging to Fat Pat’s, the Driftless Region Brims with Ingenuity
March 30, 2021
Mushrooms, multi-use spaces, murals, and more? Explore an often-overlooked corner of the Midwest with local writer Elisabeth A. Fondell, and discover how the Driftless Region is delicious, distinctive, and utterly creative.
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Where Midwest Meets Mountains: Explore Appalachian Ohio
July 29, 2021
Appalachia has its own distinctive, vibrant, diverse culture, complete with creativity galore. Explore the unique region of Ohio where the Midwest and Appalachia meet with writer Mandy Shunnarah.
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See the Sights of Southern Illinois
February 18, 2022
Eager to step outside of Chicago and experience more creativity in rural Illinois? Join travel writer Meena Thiruvengadam for a road trip across Southern Illinois, filled with natural landscapes, quirky roadside attractions, historic monuments, and a stretch of Route 66.
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This Midwestern City is the ‘Frozen Custard Capital of the World’
August 1, 2023
While you can find the sweet treat all over the region, it’s no surprise that this city in America’s Dairyland is home to some of the country’s best.
Ready to pitch?
Fill out the pitch submission form below! You are welcome to submit multiple pitches if you have more than one. If you have any questions about the pitch process, contact Managing Editor Angela Zonunpari.
Submit a Pitch Email Angela Zonunpari