Got a phone and an eye for creativity? Be Arts Midwest’s feet on the ground!
We’re seeking community documenters — everyday storytellers, artists, organizers, or creatives — who can quickly film what’s happening around them and send us 8–10 raw vertical video clips that highlight something distinct, local, and creative.
We’re looking for short, unedited vertical video clips that showcase creative people, projects, and events in your community. If you’ve ever thought, “People need to see this!,” we want to hear from you.
That could mean:
- A public art project taking shape
- A joyful community gathering
- A local artist at work
- A food, craft, or culture moment unique to your area
We’ll take care of editing, scripting, and publishing videos on Arts Midwest’s Instagram, Youtube, and TikTok. You’ll get credit and $250 compensation for your footage and a short write-up of what you’ve captured.
Arts Midwest covers 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.
A brief pitch of what you plan to capture is due August 17, 2025.
What You’ll Submit if Selected
- Video documentation: 8-10 *solid* unedited clips, at least 15 seconds each, shot vertically and high resolution (min. 1080 x 1920)
- Short summary: 200-300 words (who, what, when, why + any distinct details)
- Contact info for a recommended source: for proofing and fact-checking purposes
Total compensation for these deliverables (from a selected pitch) is $250.
Final videos will be published on Arts Midwest’s Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.
Timeline
- July 29, 2025 – Call for Pitches opens
- August 17 – Pitches due
- Week of August 25 – Notifications to selected community documenters
- August 25 – September 30 – Selected community documenters take videos and send them to us
- September and October – Final edited videos published
Before You Pitch
- Will I be able to film this between August 25–September 30?
- If it’s an event or a person, will they be available and okay being filmed?
- Do I have a phone or camera that shoots high-res, vertical video?
See Examples
Our Video Guide
You don’t need to be a filmmaker—just a curious, thoughtful observer. Think: “What moments would I want to share with someone who couldn’t be here?”
How to Pitch Us
The Call for Pitches will close on August 17, 2025. We’ll send notifications to selected community documenters during the week of August 25. Due to high submission volume, we may not be able to respond to every pitch.
To pitch us, fill out our pitch submission form. You’ll be asked for the following information:
- What are you proposing to cover? (50 words)
- Tell us about the event, project, or person at the heart of your story. What is distinct about this story?
- What makes it distinct or creative? (100 words)
- Elaborate on why this story or subject.
- What makes it visually interesting? (50 words)
- When would you be able to film it? (25 words)
- What is your connection to this story? (50 words)
- Tell us about yourself. (100 words)
- Provide links to up to three work samples and/or a portfolio so we can get an idea of your skills.
- Work samples do not have to be published works, but should show your video filming skills.
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 Your Pitch Contact the Editor