Recent Mailings

Kevin Brazil's review of Documenta 15 in yesterday's art-agenda mailing suggests this half-decade's iteration lacks the prescience of Roger Buergel and Ruth Novak's Documenta 12, which ushered in the era of the curatorial artist (prescience, like market forecasting, being curation's gift to a consumer society), and gives us instead contemporary art's so long to its current moment and hello to its TL;DR hour. A highlight of the review is Brazil's description of a board game (my bolds):

The Speculative Collective Board Game, developed by Gudskul and available to play on a table inside the Fridericianum, is a role-playing game in which players “act as members of an art collective” in order to foster “co-operating, sharing resources, problem solving, and decision making.” Players face challenges like a member starting a family and therefore having less time to give to the collective endeavor. The resolution of a conflict improves the collective’s “bonding” and increases its “social capital.” Success is thus measured by metrics resembling the funding structures that bring a collective into being, and the formation of aesthetic subjectivity made equivalent to a training in assessment, evaluation, and impact. This game suggests that Gudskul imagine their audience as consisting of aspiring artist-administrators and that, for the general public, the art collective is a model for improved social relations.

After Brazil's article I found myself reading a mail-out from C Magazine thanking "the publication's first queer editor" in tribute form, the likes of which I associate more with a religious ceremony or a shareholders meeting. For those interested in walking a mile in Jac Renée Bruneau's shoes, consider this:

C Magazine Job Opportunity: Editor Apply by: 20 July 2022 C Magazine is looking to welcome a new Editor who will lead the editorial program for our print and online platforms, by engaging imaginatively, sensitively, pluralistically, and energetically, and with significant ideas in Canadian and international contemporary art and its contexts. Salary from: 50K to 55K Location: Toronto, Ontario Employee Benefits: Flex-time, Health insurance, Annual increase* Employment Type: Full-time (4 day week, plus added hours during production)* *Check Additional Info section for more details JOB DESCRIPTION The Editor leads the editorial and educational program at C Magazine, as part of a small, collaboratively managed staff. Overseeing and developing the editorial vision and content for print and online, the Editor produces a regular schedule of critically engaged features, columns, artist projects, talks, programs, and workshops. The Editor works closely with the Reviews Editor to shape and commission content, and with the Executive Director/Publisher to publish the magazine and produce its associated programs, with a commitment to facilitating meaningful, pluralistic, interdisciplinary, historically engaged and imaginative conversations about contemporary art. As a key public representative, the Editor plays an essential role in developing C Magazine’s local and international profile and makes a valuable contribution to the record of Canadian and international contemporary art. The Editor reports to and is responsible to the authority of the Board of Directors of C The Visual Arts Foundation, and is supervised by the Executive Director/Publisher. SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES Ensuring that C Magazine fulfills its mandate while meeting the standards, policies, strategic objectives, and priorities of the organization, the Editor supervises and is accountable for the following key responsibilities: Editorial and educational program  Develop the editorial vision, and related public communication  Develop and maintain the editorial structure and plan for C Magazine’s print magazine and online platforms. Be accountable for all editorial content, and oversee the work of the Reviews Editor  Facilitate three consultative Editorial Advisory meetings annually Prepare themed calls for pitches for three annual print issues, and read and evaluate pitches Shape, solicit and commission editorial content; including but not limited to features, columns, and artist projects for three annual print issues, plus online columns  Conduct image research, negotiate permissions, and ensure all contributions are appropriately credited Write the Editorial note, issue description, and press release Write or commission and edit programming-related texts (e.g. introductory or discursive texts) Thoughtfully and consistently complete substantive edits within professional standards  Respond to current art and cultural practices in a timely manner, while building upon community dialogue, and past C Magazine editorial material  Communicate with artists, writers, and creative professionals in all stages of their careers with compassion and professionalism Produce content-related programming (panels, lectures, conversations, workshops, etc.), and educational programs, such as the annual C New Critics Award, and pitch workshops Represent C Magazine publicly and within the professional visual arts sector. Production and editorial management For print production, collate and release files to the designer, review and signoff on all galleys, coordinate external proofreading, direct and coordinate changes, and sign off on the final proof Maintain the C Magazine Living Style Guide and editorial toolkit Set and ensure that the production schedule is adhered to by all relevant staff Determine contributor fees, in consultation with the Executive Director/Publisher Ensure that all contributors and subjects are properly credited  Review and write relevant website and newsletter content  Adhere to an approved editorial and educational program budget Related Tasks Carry out general administration duties Write or edit, and approve artistic sections of grants and reports Assist in development and funding opportunities such as project grant applications Participate in the organization’s fundraising activities Contribute to the development of visual identity, and communications strategies Participate in board meetings and educational program committee meetings Assist in developing Strategic Plan goals and objectives Report on editorial deliverables, and Strategic Plan outcomes related to the editorial and educational program Follow, support, and critically engage with the Canadian and international art ecology Support and seek to develop the local, national, and international profile of C Magazine  Human resource management Manage team members (Reviews Editor, Copyeditor, Proofreader, and any editorial intern) following standards set by the organization in the Employee Handbook Maintain a professional atmosphere as per the Ontario Code of Human Rights Be committed throughout your work to principles of anti-oppression, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, and to applying the organization’s accessibility and equity policies REQUIREMENTS Education and Experience Master’s degree in art history, critical and curatorial studies, or a closely related field in Fine Arts, Humanities, or Social Science; or equivalent education, training, and experience relevant to the role Writing, substantive editing, and copyediting; minimum of three years combined in a professional context related to contemporary art and culture (a combination of academic, magazine-related, journalistic, independent, and/or peer-to-peer are acceptable) Experience providing substantive edits on contemporary art writing for publication in any format; experience commissioning writers is considered a major asset Experience developing careful and productive working relationships with writers, artists, and other art-world peers Knowledge and understanding of anti-oppression and EDI practices, with demonstrable commitment and care to EDI in past work  Well-developed networks within the national and international contemporary art community; knowledge of and active engagement with discourse in multiple disciplines therein Experience overseeing and motivating a team is considered a major asset Experience in non-profit art magazine publishing and/or the artist-run sector is considered an asset  Skills and Abilities Demonstrable ability to conduct research, conceptualize, evaluate, and execute ideas within an editorial or curatorial framework—creatively, innovatively, receptively, and resourcefully Astute awareness of editorial ethics, journalistic integrity, industry standards, and the politics of language Extremely attentive to detail, with advanced project management, planning, and organizational skills Demonstrable ability to work enthusiastically, respectfully, and sensitively as part of creative collaboration Self-directed with proven ability to prioritize, assign, and execute multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet numerous ongoing deadlines  Knowledge of copyright, image reproduction, the Chicago Manual of Style, and/or Canadian Press Style Training in conflict resolution, anti-racism, or anti-oppression is considered an asset Computer skills for an MS Office, Adobe, Google Apps, Dropbox, and Slack environment Additional Requirements Available for occasional evenings and weekend commitments, including meetings and attendance at events; online and in Toronto Ability to work effectively in a remote environment Responsible, ethical, and accountable Positive and professional, with an engaged, hands-on, and constructive approach A demonstrable interest in advancing C Magazine’s mandate and vision   ADDITIONAL INFO The role is full-time, based on a four-day work week (28 hours per week) plus additional hours (up to 28 hours during each print production period, 3 times per year). Vacation is taken as earned, and increases to three weeks in year two of employment. All employees receive holiday bonus days off between Dec 26 and Jan 1, and an automatic annual increase for inflation on July 1.    We mainly work remotely (office space is also available), on flex-time, with core team hours. The office of C Magazine is at 401 Richmond Street W, Toronto, and is physically accessible.   HOW TO APPLY: Application Deadline: 20 Jul 2022 Interview Dates from: 2 to 12 August 2022 Anticipated Start Date: 12 Sept 2022 Please submit your application as one pdf, emailed to hr@cmagazine.com with the subject: “EDITOR.” The receipt of your application will be acknowledged. Include only the following in your application: Letter of interest (two pages maximum)—include your motivations; your editorial strengths and approach; your EDIA commitments; and your research interests CV (three pages maximum) 2 writing samples (500-2500 words each), and 1 relevant editing sample; among them, one should demonstrate writing, commissioning, or editing with an EDI lense Voluntary self-identification form  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 Indigenous Persons; Black Persons; Persons of Colour; deaf, mad, and disabled persons; 2SLGBTQIAP persons. If you identify as a member of one of these groups, you are invited to voluntarily self-identify using the voluntary self-identification form (also available 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 will be assessed on their merits. Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. Candidates will be selected for assessment based on their application submissions. Candidate assessment will include an interview, reference checks, and an assigned substantive editing task, and a second interview will include a theme pitch. Please refer to the C Information for Writers at submissions.cmagazine.com and visit archive.cmagazine.com to understand the style and scope of C Magazine.   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, interview, or selection process.   We thank all applicants in advance. Only the most qualified will be interviewed.   ABOUT C MAGAZINE 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 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. In addition to publishing three print and digital issues of the magazine each year, we present educational workshops, programs, talks, and other events. We also mentor interns and facilitate two writing awards.  C Magazine is published online and in print three times each year in April (Spring), August (Autumn), and December (Winter), 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. Contact Information Kate Monro, Executive Director and Publisher C Magazine hr@cmagazine.com