Arts Reporter

Application Instructions

Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.

Job Description

The Washington Post is seeking a reporter to cover the United States’ most prominent and influential arts organizations — and the artists, curators and professionals at the center of them. Coverage, for starters, will include the Trump administration’s impact on institutions like the Smithsonian, the National Gallery of Art and the Kennedy Center and federal agencies such as the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities and the Library of Congress. This reporter will also chronicle currents, controversies and personalities in the arts across the country.

We are looking for a reporter with a strong track record of cultivating sources, identifying trends and owning their beat by delivering original reporting. This reporter will balance breaking news and enterprise reporting, with an eye for accountability stories. 

The ideal candidate will be a deft reporter and a fast, clean writer who is well-sourced within prominent arts institutions or has demonstrated an ability to source up on a new, high-profile beat. An eye for budgets and balance sheets will be an asset; a knowledge of and passion for the arts a must. (Are you more of a museum, concert hall or theater person? We’re flexible.) You’ll report on hard news in the arts but retain bandwidth to indulge your curiosity on topics across the culture. 

This writer will join a team of reporters, critics and editors who cover theater, music, movies, TV, video games and visual art. This beat requires teamwork; a commitment to collaboration with other reporters and critics, as well as multimedia journalists across a variety of disciplines, is essential.

Responsibilities:

• Break news about the United States’ most prominent arts organizations.

• Deliver ambitious news, analysis and enterprise stories shaped by scoops, trend spotting and fresh insights.

• Develop and maintain high-level sources.

• Report and write as urgent news and events require. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• A high metabolism and a proven ability to report and write breaking news with speed and precision.

• A track record of delivering exclusive news and impactful enterprise stories.

• A strong interest in or experience with visual storytelling and a track record of successful collaboration with journalists from a variety of disciplines.

• A commitment to fair, accurate and rigorous reporting, upholding the highest standards of journalism ethics.

• Deep knowledge of and sourcing in well-known arts institutions is a big plus, but not strictly required. 

This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom. 

Interested candidates should upload a cover letter, résumé and three examples of their work [as PDFs] to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Apr. 30 will be prioritized. The cover letter should be addressed to Arts and Entertainment Editor Jonathan Fischer, Deputy Features Editor Amanda Finnegan and Features Editor Hank Stuever. 

The salary range for this position is: $97,400.00 - $162,300.00. The actual salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

The Washington Post’s policy for employees is five days per week in the office, with exceptions for newsgathering and general business travel.

Compensation and Benefits

Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage

• Company-paid pension and 401(k) match

• Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave

• Nine paid holidays and two personal days

• 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent

• Robust mental health resources

• Backup care and caregiver concierge services

• Gender affirming services

• Pet insurance

• Free Post digital subscription

• Leadership and career development programs

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed. 

Ever wondered if what you are doing will Impact Tomorrow? At The Washington Post, every employee shapes the way we deliver the news. Find the career that’s right for you

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