What are the cultural, artistic and mythic explanations we offer as answers to questions such as What is our purpose? Where do we come from? and Where are we going? Moreover, explorations of memory ask: How do we learn from the past? What truths do we know and which ones do we intentionally, or inadvertently, forget?
The concept of genius locioften gets to the heart of who we are, our place(s). Related concerns include exile and home, wandering and return, getting lost and being found. What is familiar and what is terra incognito, why? Why does 'knowing your place' matter and when and how should we escape one position and find a new location?
Some are ruled by ideology or fear while others are governed only by their passions. We often struggle to belong to or escape from certain groupings. What are the most beneficial forms of citizenship? Are there past groupings we should avoid? How should we best divide people and when should we seek common ground? Are there alternative forms of creative citizenship as yet unexplored?
Change—we often experience—is inevitable and swift. New movements, forms and aesthetic practices seek to express our transformations. Yet, still we ask: Is there unchanging beauty and truth? What is in motion and what, if anything, is permanent and why?
Publication, Learning Exchange, Waiver and Creative Honorarium Opportunities
The Fourth World Journal currently solicits any number of forms:
1) parables and philippics, personal epistles, essays and testaments;
2) academic and cultural essays, manifestos, lectures and sermons, political and policy position papers;
3) short-stories, poems, psalms, lyrics and plays; and
4) scientific-mathematical-religious treatises and digital photographic/cinematic representations.
Both members and non-members are eligible to submit publication proposals for publication. Submissions must relate to at least one of Fourth World's principle concerns (see above) and, at this time, we seek only previously unpublished creative works that can be digitally reproduced.
The Fourth World Journal and Fourth World Cooperative Publications awards up to 40 Creative Honoraria (of $25-$50 each) every year to writers, musicians, photographers, videographers and other artists who express themselves through print and/or through digitally reproducible mediums. In time for our winter release each year, the publishing house prepares and distributes these chosen works along with various special projects - including creative works of writing, music, photography, drawing, painting and videography.
The Fourth World Learning Consortium helps offset the costs of participating in an annual Learning Exchange by offering 3-6 Learning Exchange Program Waivers (up to $3,000) for members who find the cost prohibitive. Each year, the consortium also awards up to 40 Creative Honoraria (of $25-$50 each) to young readers and musicians in our Young Reader and Music Lives! student programs.
The annual deadline to apply to participate in a Learning Exchange, seek a Learning Exchange Program Waiver, submit a creative work for consideration by Fourth World Cooperative Publications and the Fourth World Journal, or apply to participate in our Young Reader or Music Lives! programs or a Birds of a Feather Camp is September 10th.
All petitions for a Learning Exchange Program Waiver and/or a Creative Honorarium require either Fourth World Membership or a minimal ($5) Review Fee. We will confirm member status (or receipt of review fee) and our Review Board will review proposals for participation in a Learning Exchange as well as applications for Learn Exchange Program Waivers and Creative Honorarium. Notification of acceptance for participation in a Learning Exchange, an offer of a waiver, honorarium or publication will be communicated via e-mail prior to December 1st.
