Recent news from the Variable West team
Congratulations to our first writer in residence!
Meet Phillip Russel, our first writer in residence.
Meet our new Cliff Notes columnists!
Meet Jade Ichimura in Washington, Hayashi Wilder in Oregon, Emily Small in Northern California, and Renée Reizman in Southern California!
Announcing our inaugural writer in residence program with Wa Na Wari in Seattle
Two writers will be chosen to participate in six-month residencies and produce six pieces of critical writing each.
Lumber room returns as Art Writing Champion in 2025
Variable West Art Writing Champions guarantee the future of fearless, rigorous, and accessible West Coast art writing that supports local writers and engages with regional programming on a regular basis.
Variable West receives $45,000 grant from Critical Minded to support independent arts journalism in 2025
Funding will amplify diverse voices in arts writing and expand Variable West’s impact across California, Oregon, Washington, and beyond.
Entering a new era: Variable West receives nonprofit status
With this new era we’re excited to amplify our fundraising strategy and give back to our supporters with tax-deductible donations.
What we’re reading
Each week-ish, the Variable West team shares what our reading list.
Meet our new Cliff Notes columnists!
Meet Jaydra Johnson in Oregon, Brittney Frantece in Washington, Blessing Greer Mathurin in Southern California, and Quintessa Matranga in Northern California.
Meet our new Cliff Notes columnists!
Meet Kaya Noteboom in Oregon, Alitzah Oros in Southern California, Melika Sebihi in Northern California, and Fox Whitney in Washington.
Variable West receives grant to support writing about West Coast photography
The grant will support our mission to publish fearless, rigorous, accessible writing about West Coast art and culture.
Variable West receives funding for Oregon exhibition reviews
Thanks to this grant, we will be able to publish an additional seven reviews about Oregon programming in 2024.
Editor’s Note: YBCA’s censorship of artists for Palestinian liberationÂ
Associate Editor Ella Ray responds to Yerba Buena Center for the Arts’ recent censorship of artists’ solidarity with Palestine.
Meet our new Cliff Notes Columnists!
Meet Christine Miller in Oregon, Rachel Elizabeth Jones in Southern California, Samantha Hiura in Northern California, and Nia-Amina Minor in Washington.
Variable West receives $43,500 grant from Critical Minded for 2024
Join us in celebrating Critical Minded’s commitment to art criticism.
We want to see your art!
Learn how to submit your artwork to be featured on our Instagram.
Statement in support of the Palestinian liberation movement
Variable West is decisively committed to supporting the Palestinian liberation movement, as well as all liberation struggles that seek freedom from the interlocking violence of white supremacy, colonialism, and fascism.
Introducing our 2023–2024 Cliff Notes columnists
Introducing our 2023–2024 Cliff Notes columnists.
Letter from the editor
Newly appointed Associate Editor Ella Ray writes about what she’s looking forward to in her position.
We’re back & HOO-EE do we have news for you
A lot has happened over the past four months, here’s a list of them.
Should we start using SMS marketing?
We want to know how you want to hear from us.
See you in 2023
A note from our founder about what Variable West has planned for 2023.
Introducing our next Cliff Notes columnists
We’re thrilled to introduce you to our next four columnists! Meet Gabrielle Lawrence in Southern California, Christopher Alam in Northern California, Demian DinéYahzi’ in Oregon, and Sharon Arnold in Washington.
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VW Sticker Contest!
We’re making stickers and want your art!
Introducing Amelia Ketzel, our spring quarter Editorial Apprentice
We are thrilled to announce that Amelia Ketzel is joining Variable West as the spring 2022 Editorial Apprentice.
Meet Jaelynn Walls: Variable West’s 2022 Editorial Apprentice
Thanks to a generous grant from Critical Minded, we expanded our Editorial Apprenticeship program to hire a new apprentice in 2022.
Announcing the inaugural Stelo + Variable West Art Writing Residents
Stelo and Variable West are delighted to announce the inaugural cohort of art writing residents!
Variable West Receives $20,000 Grant to Expand Editorial Apprenticeship Program
Thanks to this generous grant from Critical Minded, we are thrilled to announce that we are hiring a new Editorial Apprentice for 2022.
Variable West Receives $3,000 RACC Grant
The Make | Learn | Build grant will fund Justin Duyao’s Editorial Apprenticeship position in spring 2022.
Stelo + Variable West Art Writing Residency
Variable West is thrilled to announce an art writing residency in partnership with Stelo.
Variable West Pitch Guidelines
Tips for sending us the perfect pitch.
Introducing Sponsored Connections
We are very excited to announce a new model of sponsored content.
Eden Redmond Joins Variable West as Partnerships Coordinator
Join us in welcoming Eden!
Announcing Variable West’s Editorial Apprenticeship
The VW Editorial Apprenticeship is a semester-long paid program that allows emerging writers and editors to learn how an online journal works while expanding their art writing practice.
Introducing Variable Voice: Letter from the Editor
Introducing Variable Voice, our online journal featuring exhibition reviews, essays, interviews, Love Letters, and other series that try to find a balance between generous, accessible language, zealously researched topics, and experimental prose that challenges the conventions of each format.
Variable West Receives Critical Minded Arts Writing Grant
The funds will go toward publishing exceptional reviews, essays, and interviews by West Coast art writers.