Overview

Art Calendar is a monthly business magazine for visual artists. Founded in 1986 by a working artist, the publication includes articles on the business of making a living as a visual artist, as well as hundreds of listings of upcoming professional opportunities to show and sell artwork, and to build one’s reputation as an artist (grants, juried shows, residencies and so on).

The types of business articles we include range from self-promotion (components of a professional portfolio, how to write and target an effective news release), to exhibition details (how to light a show, how to build a shipping crate), to art law, to the current state of the market and more.

Appearance

Art Calendar is 8-3/8 x 10-7/8, saddle-stitched. The cover is printed on 100 lb. galerie fine gloss and the inside pages are printed on 54 lb. white silk stock and is 4/c throughout.

Editorial Approach: What We Like

We welcome nuts-and-bolts, practical articles of interest to serious visual artists, emerging or professional. Examples: marketing how-to’s, pieces on business practices and other topics of use to artists. The tone of our magazine is practical, can-do and uplifting. We prefer very specific topics, as opposed to general overviews. So, for example, an article on how artists should write a press release and where they should send it would stand a good chance of being accepted, whereas as an article about why marketing is important to artists would not. We also prefer articles from writers who are artists or art professionals with first-hand industry knowledge, as opposed to general interest freelance writers.

Articles should be no more than 1600 words, and high-quality photographs should be available to illustrate any article we elect to print. Please do not submit images unless requested.

What We Don't Like

We do not run reviews or art historical pieces, nor do we like writing characterized by “critic-speak.” We do not run artist profiles unless the artist is being profiled because of his or her specific business model or practices.

What and When We Pay

Upon publication, we pay $250 for the article and images published. The original owner retains all copyrights to the images, and the writer is free to use the article submitted for whatever other venues he or she chooses. Under the terms we've established in our writer's agreements, we may also run your article on our Web site instead of or in addition to printing it in the magazine. Payment will be mailed within 30 days of receipt of your invoice, which may be submitted after your article has been accepted and edited, and you have made any requested changes or additions to the article.

If you must share your pay with an agent/other third party, it’s up to you to make that disbursement – same with taxes. Upon request, we can send you a PDF of the original published article, which you may reproduce and use as hand-outs, additions to your portfolio or publicity packets, etc.

Submitting Articles

Our writers' editorial calendar is available upon request. Before submitting an article, please query us on what you want to write about. A two-paragraph description of your proposed article should suffice. Then we can determine the best approach for the piece and the issue in which the piece should appear. Also, be prepared to submit writing samples and a resume with your background and experience. Not all proposals are accepted, so please be as specific as possible when submitting your inquiry to give you the best chance of being accepted.

Reprints are sometimes acceptable. Just tell us where and when the article appeared when you send it to us.

We reserve the right to edit articles to our standards.

You may also send us your resume and writing samples, and inquire about receiving specific assignments.

Masthead: Contributing Writers, Contributing Editors

Sometimes, our writers are artists who submit an article only once. If an artist or freelancer sends us good articles regularly, and based on those results we feel that he or she is able to produce a column at least three times per year, we will invite him or her to be a Contributor. Contributors are listed on our masthead.

Sample Issues

Samples may be ordered from us by sending a $5 check or money order to: Art Calendar, Sample Issue Request, PO Box 11616, St. Paul, MN 55111-9929.

Where to Send Your Inquiry

E-mail submissions or hard copies of articles or article proposals are welcome. Please do not e-mail photos unless requested.

Send via hard copy to: Attn: Editor, Art Calendar/Turnstile Publishing, 1500 Park Center Drive, Orlando, FL 32835, or via e-mail to khall@ArtCalendar.com