APPLICATIONS TO JAC’S  EDITORIAL BOARD ARE NOW CLOSED

Apply by 11:59pm Thursday, September 28.

















JAC is the first undergraduate journal in print devoted to art criticism. We publish critical writing and art centered around a contemporary theme selected annually by the editorial board. While undergraduate students create, review, and edit work, a group of alumni and professionals support production.

We are currently looking for the following positions to be filled:


  1. Editor: reviews and edits text submissions for the print journal to maintain high standards of style, grammar, clarity, and strength of argument.

  2. Copy Editor: edits the final round of revised texts for grammar and consistency with the JAC style guide. Copy Editors frequently act as Editors in addition to their copy role.

  3. Managing Editor: largely in charge of the first round of copyediting, but will also help out with other style issues and oversight of journal. 

  4. Web and Social Media Editor: manages all aspects of the JAC website, solicits submissions for and edits online content. Manages all aspects of JAC’s social media, and uploads to JAC social channels at regular intervals.

  5. Sales Director: liaises with bookstores to ask them to stock JAC, gets journals to bookstores if they are interested in stocking, coordinates library subscriptions and promotes general journal sales.

  6. Designerworks closely with the Design Director to design and format the print journal.



To apply, please specify which position(s) you are applying for in the subject line of your email and attach all required materials (specified below) in PDF or Word format. All applications should include your school, major, class year, and experience with publications (if any—experience is helpful but not required). Please indicate if you are studying abroad in the spring or have unconfirmed plans to do so.

JAC meetings will be held one evening a week, roughly six times during the fall semester and most weeks during the spring semester. Our first meeting will be held the first week of October, after all positions have been filled. Meetings will usually provide time for us to work on the journal, but in the fall frequently consist of workshops with guest speakers and alumni. Please make a note of any potential time conflicts in your application email.

Because the journal is published once a year, positions must be held for the year. Workload outside of meetings will vary but be heaviest in the spring once we receive submissions.

*For positions that require you to edit the sample essay, please download and edit the essay using Track Changes, and attach your edited copy as a .docx when you submit your application.




REQUIRED MATERIALS TO APPLY TO JAC:


Most members of the editorial board are Editors, who review and edit text submissions for the print journal to maintain high standards of style, grammar, clarity and strength of argument. If you are interested in applying to be an Editor, please send the following to journalofartcriticism@gmail.com


  • In no more than 500 words, please describe some contemporary art practices, topics, or themes in contemporary art that interest you.
  • 1-2 writing samples of any length, preferably related to art, music, or film (if either is longer than 5 pages, please provide excerpts)
  • Your edited version of the linked essay HERE
  • Ideas for how to increase the journal's reach for the call for submissions


We are looking for a new Copy Editor, whose role consists of editing the final round of revised texts for grammar and consistency with the JAC style guide. This workload is fairly concentrated near the end of the spring semester, immediately before the journal goes to print. It is possible to be both an Editor and a Copy Editor, so please mention if you’re interested in both. Please send the following to journalofartcriticism@gmail.com:

  • 1-2 writing samples of any length, preferably related to art, music, or film (if longer than 5 pages, please provide excerpts)
  • A brief description of your relevant experiences
  • Your copyedited version of the linked essay HERE


The position of Managing Editor is also open. This person should be made aware that most of their work will be heavily focused in April/May, but they can also help out with edits and review submissions throughout the year. Excellent copyediting skills and experience with style guides, formatting, grammar, and editing is desired. The Managing Editor is largely in charge of the first round of copyediting and guiding editors through later stages. 

  • In no more than 500 words, please describe some contemporary art practices, topics, or themes in contemporary art that interest you.
  • 1-2 writing samples of any length, preferably related to art, music, or film (if either is longer than 5 pages, please provide excerpts)
  • Your edited version of the linked essay HERE
  • Don’t forget to mention any experience with editorial work


We are also in need of a Web and Social Media Editor. Experience with code is preferred but certainly not required. The JAC website uses the Cargo platform, and is not very complex. Though a working document exists from our inaugural edition, fluency in InDesign is required and a strong attention to detail will be necessary. The Web and Social Media Editor manages all aspects of JAC’s presence on social media, and uploads to the JAC social channels at regular intervals. Please send the following to journalofartcriticism@gmail.com:

  • A link for up to 5 websites/online journals whose design elements align with your vision for the journal
  • List of web platforms/coding languages (if any) with which you’re familiar – coding experience is helpful, but certainly not required
  • 2-3 links to social media accounts for publications you admire whose strategy and design align with
    your vision for the JAC web presence 
  • 2-3 ideas for campaigns to improve JAC’s social media reach
  • Links to or images of any past web design/coding work (not required)


Finally, JAC is looking for a Sales Director, whose primary role will be to coordinate with our printer and oversee all aspects of the proofing process in the spring. The sales director will also be responsible for liaising with bookstores and museums, while promoting general journal sales. Please send the following to journalofartcriticism@gmail.com:
 
  • 2-3 ideas for expanding JAC’s reach in terms of distribution and readership
  • A description of your relevant experience/qualifications


We are looking for an additional Designer, whose role consists of inputting assets from Word into Indesign and guiding the aesthetic direction of the journal , including art layouts and cover design. Proficiency in InDesign and a strong attention to detail is required. It is possible to be both a Designer and a Web Editor (see below), so please mention if you’re interested in both. Please send the following to journalofartcriticism@gmail.com:

  • A link for up to 5 print/online journals whose design elements align with your vision for the journal
  • A brief description of your relevant experiences
  • Links to or images of any past design work






If you'd like to be involved in a capacity not listed here, please send an email to journalofartcriticism@gmail.com stating your vision for your role in the publication, along with any relevant experiences.


The Journal of Art Criticism
Founded at Barnard College in New York