participate...

by sharing your experiences with the readers of the nation’s leading art education magazine.

We’re especially interested in receiving and reviewing manuscripts that deal with these topics:

• ways of developing visual perception

• activities for students’ creative visual expression and/or growth

• programs and lessons that expand students’ understanding and appreciation of art

• techniques for engaging students in discussing, viewing, reading about, and evaluating art

• ways to make use of community resources

• Strategies for sequential and develop-mental art instruction

• approaches to art history, including cultural and ethnic influences and contributions

• ways of interpreting school art programs to parents and the community

• ideas that work well for you and have applicability to other art educators

• methods of relating art to other disciplines

To familiarize yourself with proper format and to gain an understanding of how our articles are presented, take the time to review several recent issues of Arts & Activities, or visit our articles section on our web site, click here.

publication

When submitting materials, authors should keep in mind that they’re doing so on a speculative basis; acceptance is not guaranteed. Receipt of all manuscripts and visuals is acknowledged.

It is important to note that the unprofessional practice of simultaneously submitting the same materials to more than one magazine at a time is strongly discouraged.

Selection of materials is often based on (1) valid application of sound philosophy of art education, (2) relationship to our editorial program and needs, (3) quality of manuscript and/or visuals, and (4) publication requirements to maintain balance in subject matter and educational levels. All unaccepted manuscripts and visuals are returned.

Authors are notified prior to publication of their accepted materials and payment is made upon publication. Publication of accepted materials will be in relation to our editorial needs and schedule. Be advised that this can take from 6 months to three years.

Visual materials are returned following publication. An author may withdraw an accepted manuscript no less than six full months prior to the month of scheduled publication.

manuscripts

Our readers are already motivated to teach art. What they’re looking for is an exchange of professional experiences, advice and fresh ideas.

Write thoughtfully and clearly to express the values, motivations, resources, aesthetic content and art learnings, as well as the “how-to” of your topic.

Write in a conversational manner, as though you’re telling a friend about your experience. We’re looking for a narrative style of writing as opposed to step-by-step.

The value of your article will be in the ideas you present. Be informational as well as inspirational, down-to-earth as well as philosophical. Show concern for the flow of ideas and writing style.

We edit for clarity, rhythm, spelling and punctuation, and prefer to avoid rewriting articles. Carefully re-read and edit your manuscript yourself. Next, have someone else read it for clarity. Then, make necessary adjustments and changes before sending your materials to us.

Include a separate list of: the Learning Objectives; the National Standards that apply; all of the grade levels your project is and could be appropriate for; and any supplies, materials, Web sites, books, videos or other resources that were used for the project.

Also, please provide us with signed parental permission forms giving Arts & Activities the right to publish the children’s photos and their art (forms are available below).

Manuscripts should be typed, upper- and lower-case, double-spaced, on 8.5" x 11" white paper. Please include a hard copy of your manuscript as well as a CD-ROM containing it and any visuals.

Aim for a length of 500–1,500 words, although articles of varying lengths are acceptable. All submissions must include a cover sheet with your:

Name and Teaching Position
Professional address, phone number and e-mail
Home address, phone number and e-mail

visuals

Because art is a visual subject, illustrations submitted in the form of photos (digital or traditional), original art or diagrams are extremely important. Please, no slides! Photos must be clear, well-composed and sharply focused. Sadly, poor photographs are often the cause of the rejection of materials.

Original Art:
To avoid damage in transit, mail original drawings, paintings or prints between heavy cardboard, and carefully wrap three-dimensional work in bubble wrap inside a well-padded box.

Photography tips:

Examples of student art should include as little as possible of the background, unless it is significant to the meaning of the art. Remove unrelated objects from the tables and walls. The art and the students should not get lost against competing backgrounds.

• Don’t pack too much into a picture. A simpler one makes a point much more effectively.

• Take care to clearly portray what students are doing. If a photo does not help illustrate your ideas, it serves no purpose.

• When photographing paintings, drawings and other flat work, avoid angles that distort the image (i.e. the top of artwork not the same length as the bottom). Shoot one piece of art per photograph.

• Avoid “hot spots,” which are caused by the flash reflecting off shiny surfaces. Take the time to study good photography techniques. If you aren’t sure of your photography skills, ask a friend, family member or colleague to help.

• Composition counts! Photographs that are poorly composed often cannot be used, regardless of how pertinent the subject matter. If you are photographing art to be considered for a cover, it should be centered in the frame with plenty of surrounding space and have a plain, neutral- colored background. The reason for this is the Arts & Activities logo at the top of the cover and the “cover plugs” to the sides must be legible.

• Provide captions for all visuals. Write directly on the backs of photos with permanent ink, allow it to dry and then place paper between each photo, separating them. This keeps ink from transfering onto photos, rendering them unusable.

• Do not send color prints from laser or jet printers or prints made from instant-developing film. They do not reproduce well in the magazine.

• If your camera has a date-imprint function, turn it off before taking photos.

• If sending digital images, set your camera at the highest resolution possible (they must be taken with at least 2550 x 3400 pixel resolution). When opened on-screen photos must be 8.5" x 11" or larger. Please send them on a CD-ROM, with your manuscript.

young artist

To nominate a “Young Artist,” submit: (1) 10–15 examples of a creative work (photos or originals, with captions) in a variety of media (i.e. paintings, sculpture, prints, clay, fiber, etc.); (2) a typed personal statement, of about 150 words, by the student; (3) the student’s handwritten signature in black ink on white, unlined paper; (4) a clear, well-focused photo of the student; (5) a permission form signed by the child’s parent or guardian giving Arts & Activities the right to publish the child’s photo and his or her artwork.

Include a cover sheet with your name, home, school and e-mail addresses and phone numbers, as well as the student’s name, age, grade, school and home address.

send it in

Share your ideas and success! You will be making an important contribution to your profession. Mail manuscripts, artwork/photos and other contributions, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your materials, to:

Maryellen Bridge, Editor in Chief
Arts & Activities Magazine
12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
phone (858) 605-0242 • fax (858) 605-0247
e-mail ed@artsandactivities.com

home | subscribe | articles | A&A Online | contact us | links | advertising