Fancy becoming an arts writer or an art or theatre critic? You’re in luck because there are a couple of separate workshops lined up until May, courtesy of the Singapore Biennale 2011 and the online theatre journal Flying Inkpot. *** First up is SB2011’s Young Art Writers’ Programme. As part of the Biennale, there will be, from March 15 to 17, a series of free writing workshops available for upper secondary school, junior college, ITE and undergraduate students to, as the release goes, “to stimulate critical and creative thinking through contemporary art, and to cultivate a culture of art discussion among young people through writing.” “After participating in a series of writing workshops at the start of the Singapore Biennale, you will view the exhibition and choose to write a review or fictional work in response to an artwork that astounds, puzzles, or simply intrigues you. Selected pieces will be published on various platforms.” The workshops will include talks on contemporary art and writing about it from a journalistic and creative standpoint. And guess what – The RAT will be one of the speakers! Yep, I’ve been roped in to help out in some of the sessions, hopefully to offer more than just silly comments and asides – but don’t worry because I’ve been partnered with a more sensible dude in critic and ex-Substation artistic director Lee Weng Choy. As for the “various platforms” where student participants can hope to see their works published, that’ll include TODAY newspaper itself and, naturally, For Art’s Sake! Woot. For more details, email education [at] singaporebiennale.org (education[at]singaporebiennale[dot]org). And you’ll have to hurry because registration ends on March 4. That’s this Friday! *** Meanwhile, Flying Inkpot and The Substation are continuing the partnership that started with last year’s series of discussions on Singapore plays with workshops on theatre criticism. This one isn’t just for students though. It’ll take place for four consecutive Saturdays: April 30, and May 7, 14 and 21, 10am to 12.30pm, at The Substation. Course fee is $120. And you’ll definitely be in good hands because Inkpot editors Kenneth Kwok and Matthew Lyon will be handling the proceedings. I wonder if there will be a special session on How To Whip Up Bitchy One-Liners In Five Seconds. That’d be fun. Anyways, to register, contact Mish’aal at 6337 7800 or registration [at] substation.org (registration[at]substation[dot]org).