Food, Arts & Culture Reporter - Montgomery County

Join a Pulitzer Award Winning Newsroom!

Be at the forefront of building something new.

Are you a storyteller with a pulse on the creative spirit of a community? Do you believe in the power of local journalism to elevate voices, reflect culture and drive meaningful conversations? If so, The Banner invites you to help lead its editorial expansion into Montgomery County as our Food, Arts & Culture Reporter.

This is not just a reporting job — it’s an opportunity to shape how one of the country’s most diverse and vibrant counties understands itself through food, art, music, and creative expression.

As the Food, Arts & Culture reporter in Montgomery County, you'll have the rare opportunity to build a beat from the ground up — covering the evolution of dining, arts institutions, street culture and creative innovation. You’ll spotlight the people and movements redefining the region’s identity and influence.

We are a mission-driven nonprofit newsroom, and this role is key to our broader commitment to storytelling that deepens community connection and holds power to account. If you are equally passionate about reporting breaking restaurant news as you are writing in-depth features about theater equity or public arts funding, you’ll thrive here.

What You’ll Do:

• Cover the spectrum of Montgomery County’s cultural scene: visual arts, performance venues, artists, festivals, food, and nightlife.
• Report stories with voice, nuance, and range. That includes everything from quick hits on up-and-coming talent to investigations into the intersection of policy and the arts.
• Develop trusted relationships with artists, chefs, entrepreneurs and changemakers across the region.
• Pitch and deliver original, high-impact stories across daily coverage, enterprise features and long-term projects.
• Represent The Banner at community events and engage with the public through speaking opportunities, TV/radio and social media.
• Use data and audience insights to shape your reporting strategy and meet readers where they are.

What You'll Bring:

• 5+ years of journalism experience, with demonstrated beat expertise (arts, culture or dining coverage a plus).
• Exceptional writing and reporting skills with an ability to tell stories that both inform and inspire.
• An entrepreneurial spirit — this is a build-the-beat role.
• Deep curiosity, high standards for accuracy and the ability to explain complex issues with clarity.
• Comfort with multimedia storytelling, including photography, video and social media engagement.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends to cover key events or breaking stories.
• A commitment to ethical journalism and inclusive, community-centered reporting.

Additional Information:

• Clips of your work: Please submit clips of your work related to this role. 
• Schedule: This position follows a Flexible/Hybrid schedule and may require evening work. Some schedule flexibility may be needed based on news demands.
• Location: This role is based in Montgomery County, MD. Reliable transportation is required.

Salary Range: $75,000 - $95,000 Individual pay may vary from the target range and is determined by several factors including experience, internal pay equity, and other relevant business considerations. We periodically review all teammates pay to ensure a great compensation package that is fair and equal across the board.

Our amazing benefits include:

The Venetoulis Institute embraces diversity and inclusion, and we are wholeheartedly committed to being proactive in inspiring a culture of inclusion across our organization. We are dedicated to establishing an organization that reflects the fundamental respect for different ways of working and living, and we assure every employee the opportunity to reach their full potential.

We are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation due to a disability to participate in the application process, please contact careers@thebaltimorebanner.com to request accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to, adjustments in the application process, modifications or assistance regarding job interviews, and accommodations to enable access to our facilities. We appreciate the value that individuals with disabilities bring to our workforce and encourage applicants with disabilities to disclose their needs for accommodation to facilitate a smooth and inclusive recruitment experience.