C Magazine, established in 1984, is a contemporary art and criticism periodical that functions as a forum for significant ideas in art and its contexts. Each quarterly print issue explores a theme that is singularly engaged with emerging and prevailing perspectives through original art writing, criticism and artists’ projects. Our content focuses on the activities of contemporary art practitioners residing in Canada and Canadian practitioners living abroad—with an emphasis on those from Black, Indigenous, diasporic and other equity-seeking communities—as well as on international practices and dialogues. We are committed to facilitating meaningful, pluralistic, interdisciplinary, historically-engaged and imaginative conversations about art. C Magazine is published by C The Visual Arts Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization established to present ideas, advance education and document contemporary visual art and artist culture.
The C Magazine Editorial Fellowship is a unique 11-month residency for independent editorial research, development and experimentation in the field of visual arts publishing, and is the only such opportunity offered by an art magazine in Canada. By providing core space and resources to diverse voices from a variety of backgrounds and at various stages in their careers, the Fellowship aims to strengthen and enrich the visual arts publishing community nationally, and expand historical, social, cultural and theoretical understandings of Canadian contemporary art. This innovative model for editorial development is in line with C Magazine’s reputation for nurturing, showcasing and creating dialogue around artistic practice and criticism.
Application Deadline: March 10, 2020
Dates: June 2020 – April 2021, inclusive
Honorarium: $15,000 editorial fee (disbursed monthly over an 11-month period)
Time commitment: flextime, contract (approximately 180 hours per magazine issue)
Availability: must be able to make themselves available for a minimum block of 3 hours on agreed upon work days during the Eastern Canadian work week (Mon to Fri, 8am-6pm EST)
Location: not restricted
Reports to: Editor
Position Summary
The C Magazine Editorial Fellowship provides a supportive context for professional development over an 11-month period, and the unique opportunity to contribute significantly to an established independent contemporary art publication in Canada. Working closely with the Editor to realize the magazine’s artistic mandate and editorial goals, the Editorial Fellow engages their interests through a thematic program that sits somewhere between the artist-led and the institutional. The Editorial Fellow researches, develops, commissions and edits a series of feature texts across three consecutive issues of the publication, building on C’s strong reputation for smart, imaginative and compelling content on and around contemporary art and criticism.
Responding to the challenges and requirements of a small, independent organization, the Fellow supports C’s goals and contributes purposefully to its publishing program, its growth and its long-term vision, while furthering its legacy and mission. The Fellow reports to the Editor and is responsible to the authority of the Board of Directors of C The Visual Arts Foundation.
Structure
The Editorial Fellowship is comprised of research, commissioning and editing periods, during which the successful applicant is in regular communication with the editor of C Magazine. The Fellow works closely with the editorial team to deliver each thematic series of texts, attends quarterly meetings of the Editorial Advisory Committee in person or remotely, and may also attend monthly all-staff meetings. The Editorial Fellow is supported and complemented by the magazine’s leadership team of Editor and Executive Director/Publisher, who together with the Fellow ensure an array of new and established voices, and consistency in the delivery of content.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Editorial Program
- To work closely with the Editor to ensure that C Magazine realizes its mandate and editorial goals, and to contribute to their further development.
- To develop the theme and call for proposal for each issue, with the Editor’s oversight and sign-off.
- To research, commission, and edit feature articles for three consecutive issues of C Magazine (10,000-11,000 words per issue, 5 to 6 articles, with more than half being by Canadian authors and/or addressing Canadian artists)—and, to do so in adherence to the production schedule, editorial budget and editorial structure.
- To maintain records pertaining to each commissioned article, including contact information, fees, deadlines, and potential images, beginning as soon as an assignment has been confirmed.
- To correspond with contributors as necessary to communicate fees, solicit, develop, and prepare texts for publication, providing writers with edits that suggest cuts for length, sequencing and consistency of editorial style and voice.
- To ensure final edited texts are delivered to the Editor on budget and to a high standard.
- To write the Editorial note.
- To review the magazine design and galleys, to ensure an accurate presentation of the aforementioned texts and images.
- To provide opinions on texts commissioned by other editors, upon request.
- To contribute to the solicitation of Letters pertaining to the issues with which they are involved.
- To attend quarterly Editorial Advisory meetings, in person or online, to receive community input on upcoming themes and commissions.
- To contribute to the development of public programs related to the magazine, when applicable to their commissions.
- To contribute to the development of community contacts applicable to their commissions.
Audience Development and Public Representation
- To help build the magazine’s network of contributors.
- To support, promote and grow the profile of C Magazine at a national and international level, acting as an ambassador for the organization.
- To understand and help raise awareness of the magazine’s position within an established network of independent contemporary visual art spaces and publications.
- To actively mentor the emerging talent they work with.
Staff, Volunteer and Contributor Relations
To maintain a professional atmosphere in accordance with the Ontario Code of Human Rights, and adhere to C’s Accessibility Policy and Equity Policy at equity.cmagazine.com.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
- Master’s degree in art history, critical and curatorial studies, or closely related fields; or equivalent qualifications, education and experience relevant to the role.
- Minimum 3 years of writing experience and 3 years of editing experience (which may be concurrent) mainly related to contemporary visual art and related practices (a combination of academic, journalistic, professional, independent, and/or peer-to-peer are acceptable).
- Experience commissioning and editing contemporary art writing for publication in any format.
- Experience working collaboratively and responsibly as part of a creative team.
- Experience developing productive working relationships with artists, writers and other art world peers.
- Established presence and experience in the Canadian and international art communities, with well-developed networks.
Skills and Knowledge Requirements
- Superior writing, substantive editing, and line editing skills.
- Demonstrable ability in assessing pitches and texts submitted for publication in a contemporary art context.
- Extensive knowledge and interest in contemporary Canadian and international art, in a range of media and disciplines.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Advanced planning and organizational skills, with proven ability to prioritize and execute multiple tasks simultaneously and meet numerous concurrent deadlines.
- Self-directed, with a well-developed ability to research, gather and evaluate information.
- Knowledge of editorial guidelines and standards, including The Chicago Manual of Style and The Canadian Press Stylebook.
- Computer skills for an MS Office, Adobe, Dropbox and Google Suite environment.
Additional Requirements
- Available to attend occasional evening meetings, and events (if logistically possible).
- Ability to work effectively with colleagues.
- Responsible, accountable, reliable, ethical, tactful and discerning.
- Positive and professional, with an engaged, hands-on and constructive approach.
- Creative, innovative and resourceful in developing and executing ideas and concepts.
- An interest in the mission of C Magazine and ability to represent us in your communities.
How to Apply
Deadline for application: March 10, 2020
Expected interview dates: mid-April, 2020
Expected start date: June 1, 2020
Applications must be submitted as one pdf, emailed to hr@cmagazine.com with the subject: “EF APPLICATION.” Receipt of your application will be acknowledged, but late applications will not be considered. Include only the following in your application:
- Letter of interest (one page maximum)—must include your motivations, the arc of your research past, present and future, and an expression of potential thematic interests
- CV (four pages maximum)
- Two writing samples (maximum 2500 words combined)
- Two editorial work references (name, position, telephone and email address)
- Voluntary self-identification form* at equity.cmagazine.com
This fellowship is open to candidates who reside outside of Ontario, in Canada and internationally; however, candidates must be able to make themselves available for a minimum block of 3 hours on agreed upon work days during the eastern Canadian work week (Mon to Fri, 8am-6pm EST).
Candidates will be selected for assessment based on their application submissions. Assessment will include an interview, reference checks, an assigned substantive editing task, and a brief proposal for three thematic issues of C Magazine. Please refer to the C Information for Writers guide at submissions.cmagazine.com and visit archive.cmagazine.com to better understand the style and scope of C Magazine.
Your application will be acknowledged as received. We thank all applicants in advance. Only the most qualified will be interviewed. Do not call or visit the office to inquire about your application.
*C Magazine is an equal opportunity employer that uses an Affirmative Action Program to actively increase the representation of equity-seeking groups in the art sector, with current priority given to persons of colour, Indigenous, deaf, mad and disabled and 2SLGBTQIAP persons. If you identify as a member of one of these groups, you are invited to voluntarily self-identify using the self-identification form found at equity.cmagazine.com; only those who self-identify can benefit from the C Affirmative Action Procedures. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and be assessed on their merits; Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
C Magazine is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment and to providing employment accommodation for those who identify as deaf, mad and disabled. Please let us know of any accommodation we may provide during the application or selection process. If contacted for an interview, please communicate if you require accommodations.
The office of C Magazine is at 401 Richmond Street W, Toronto, and is physically accessible.
Contact Information:
Kate Monro, Executive Director and Publisher
C Magazine
info@cmagazine.com
C Magazine
PO Box 5 Station B, Toronto ON M5T 2T2
cmagazine.com
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