Sample Press Releases For Your Events

When you are writing press releases, you should always keep in mind that the newspapers will probably cut your text. Be sure to get all the basic information about your event into the first paragraph. The end of the release is the part that is most likely to get cut, so put the less important information there.

Replace all the bracketed information in the samples below with the information for your event, and please feel free to adapt these to suit your event. Always be sure to put your contact information at the top of the page, in case a reporter needs to contact you.

There are two versions of this release - one that uses the message that "Women Artists Are Creating Change" and the other uses the message that "Women Artists Are Inspiring". They are very similar except for the second paragraph. If possible, you should use the third paragraph to talk about ways that your event fits with one or both of our themes.

To see a press release used by The Fund for Women Artists to announce SWAN Day, please click here>>

Sample Using Message: Women Artists Are Creating Change

For Immediate Release
Date: [February 8, 2008]
Contact: [Jane Doe], Publicity Director
Phone: [415-123-1234]
Email: [janedoe@gmail.com]

[Benefit Film Screening in San Francisco]
[Local Filmmaker] Joins International Celebration of Women Artists

[First Paragraph: Give a brief description of your event being sure to include who, where, when, what, and how much. Sample:
"On Saturday, March 29, 2008 filmmaker Jane Doe will do a screening of her new film-in-progress, Local Women We Love, at the Encore Theatre, 123 Main Street, in OurTown. This is a benefit to raise finishing funds for the film, and tickets will be sliding scale from $10 - $100. To buy your tickets, call 555-5555.]

This event is part of a new international celebration of women artists called SWAN Day (Support Women Artists Now Day). "Women artists are creating change in their communities and around the world", said Martha Richards, the co-founder of SWAN Day. "These artists are using the power of their imaginations to heal, uplift and transform their communities. SWAN Day is a day to celebrate and appreciate the importance of these contributions. "

[Give more details or background information about your event or the artists involved here. Talk about ways that this project or the artists involved are creating change in your community.]

[Jane Doe] said that she is very proud to be participating in SWAN Day. "People need to recognize how many women artists are doing wonderful work," she said. "On SWAN Day, the public will have a chance to see work by women, make donations to their favorite women artists, and be inspired to seek out the work of women artists all year long. This is a holiday that is much needed and long overdue."

SWAN Day will be an annual event taking place on the last Saturday of Women’s History Month (March). The idea for SWAN Day grew out of a collaboration between Martha Richards of  The Fund for Women Artists and Jan Lisa Huttner of Chicago's WITASWAN (Women in the Audiences Supporting Women Artists Now).  For more information about SWAN Day events happening around the world, please visit www.SwanDay.org.

The Fund for Women Artists (www.WomenArts.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women artists get the resources they need to do their creative work.  Its emphasis is on women in film, video, and theatre.  Over the past decade it has raised over $4 million (including a permanent endowment of $425,000), and built a website that provides networking, advocacy, and fundraising services to approximately 2,000 visitors a day.

WITASWAN (www.films42.com/witaswan.asp) is an informal alliance of women who are using their power as consumers to increase opportunities for women artists.  It began as an initiative of the Illinois chapter of the American Association of University Women.

Sample Using Message: Women Artists Are Inspiring

For Immediate Release
Date: [February 8, 2008]
Contact: [Jane Doe], Publicity Director
Phone: [415-123-1234]
Email: [janedoe@gmail.com]

[Reading of Inspiring Works by Women]
Local Women Join International Celebration of Women Artists

[First Paragraph: Give a brief description of your event being sure to include who, where, when, what, and how much. Sample:
"On Saturday, March 29, 2008 five local playwrights will read excerpts from their current works-in-progress that feature inspiring women characters. The reading will take place at the Encore Theatre, 123 Main Street, in OurTown. Admission is free, but come early to get good seats.)

This event is part of a new international celebration of women artists called SWAN Day (Support Women Artists Now Day). "Women artists are inspiring. They can touch our deepest emotions or take us on a journey to a distant place or time," said Martha Richards, the co-founder of SWAN Day. "This day of celebration will help people imagine what the world would be like if women’s art and perspectives were fully integrated into all of our lives. The long term goal of SWAN Day is to inspire communities to recognize and support women artists as a basic element of civic planning."

[Give more details or background information about your event or the artists involved here. Talk about ways that this project or the artists involved inspire you or the members or your community.]

[One of the artists] said that she was very proud to be participating in SWAN Day. "People need to recognize how many women artists are doing wonderful work," she said. "On SWAN Day, the public will have a chance to see work by women, make donations to their favorite women artists, and be inspired to seek out the work of women artists all year long. This is a holiday that is much needed and long overdue."

SWAN Day will be an annual event taking place on the last Saturday of Women’s History Month (March). The idea for SWAN Day grew out of a collaboration between Martha Richards of  The Fund for Women Artists and Jan Lisa Huttner of Chicago's WITASWAN (Women in the Audiences Supporting Women Artists Now).  For more information about SWAN Day events happening around the world, please visit www.SwanDay.org.

The Fund for Women Artists (www.WomenArts.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women artists get the resources they need to do their creative work.  Its emphasis is on women in film, video, and theatre.  Over the past decade it has raised over $4 million (including a permanent endowment of $425,000), and built a website that provides networking, advocacy, and fundraising services to approximately 2,000 visitors a day.

WITASWAN (www.films42.com/witaswan.asp) is an informal alliance of women who are using their power as consumers to increase opportunities for women artists.  It began as an initiative of the Illinois chapter of the American Association of University Women.