Chris Jones, Director

One of the O'Neill's oldest programs, the National Critics Institute is the nation’s only program designed for arts writers and critics to strengthen their skills in an increasingly competitive and fast-paced industry. The two-week workshop is America's leading boot camp, offering Fellows an intensive course of study for writers of all experience levels.

Lead funding for the National Critics Institute is provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

The National Critics Institute is also supported by Critical Minded, an initiative to invest in cultural critics of color co-founded by The Nathan Cummings Foundation and the Ford Foundation.

Additional funding for NCI is provided by: the Drama Desk, the American Theater Critics Association, The Shubert Foundation, and O'Neill Annual Fund donors.