RCJ: Reflective Creative Journal - Open Call for Submissions

About the Open Call

The Reflective Creative Journal (RCJ) is an online publication where creatives share ideas and reflect on their research experiences in the visual arts. Edited by No Jobs in the Arts, it welcomes submissions from creatives practicing in visual arts disciplines. The editorial team welcomes a variety of reflective submissions that capture new ideas, projects, collaborations, and learning experiences—including encounters with exhibitions, publications, fresh ways of working, and creative inspiration. The RCJ looks for content that explores learning experiences to support early-career creatives understand, improve, and grow. Submissions are open to all, regardless of experience, and are processed through a peer review by an editorial board. Everyone has different strengths, and writing isn’t always easy. What matters most in your Reflective Creative Journal (RCJ) submission is your unique voice and the insights you share. The quality of your ideas and the depth of your reflections are more important than perfect grammar or spelling.

What is Offered

Opportunity to be published in an online, independent, international, peer-reviewed, non-academic journal. Selected content will be published regularly throughout the year as free-to-view PDFs, allowing creatives to share their ideas, projects, collaborations, and learning experiences with a wider audience.

Requirements

Submissions should be in a visual essay format, combining text and images to tell a story. This could include photos, digital collages, mind maps, drawings, or diagrams—anything that visually represents creative research. All submissions must adhere to the outlined format: Images: 3 to 8 low-resolution images. Words: 250 to 500 words. Submissions need to show curiosity and a strong understanding of your topic, keep it clear using accessible language and a structured format, reflect on a learning experience, and reference others’ work properly with clear in-text citations. Eligibility: Open to all, including international submissions.

How to Apply

Submit your work electronically using the form at the bottom of the Reflective Creative Journal webpage. Submissions go through peer review by an editorial board. Should you encounter any issues with your submission or the form, please get in touch with the team via email.