Seeking guest writers for our new online journal. We want rigorous, research‑informed articles (1,500–2,000 words) on how museums and photography drive community good - breaking barriers, starting conversations, and testing radical new ideas. £50 per published piece if accepted. Rolling open call.

The Light Frame Gallery is commissioning guest writers for our upcoming online journal.

We are seeking academic‑leaning, substantial articles (1,500–2,000 words) that examine how museums and photography can act as tools for public good: breaking down barriers, sparking dialogue, and serving as testing grounds for radical new experiences and ideas within communities.

We welcome contributions from practitioners, researchers, curators, educators, artists, and students (MA/PhD) in the museum and photography sectors. International submissions are encouraged; please write in clear UK or US English and use an accessible tone for a broad arts readership.

What we’re looking for

Articles might engage with (but are not limited to):

• Case studies of museum programmes using photography to enhance inclusion, access, and social justice.
• Community co‑creation, participatory photography, and visual methods as civic tools.
• Ethics, consent, and safeguarding in museum‑based image‑making.
• Photography as a medium for memory, repair, and truth‑telling.
• Curatorial strategies: from collection displays to pop‑up galleries and digital activations.
• Evaluation frameworks: measuring impact, wellbeing, and community outcomes.
• Cross‑sector partnerships (education, health, youth, heritage, grassroots).
• Radical/experimental exhibition formats and visitor experience design.
• Policy, funding, and structural barriers—and ways to overcome them.

Format & standards

• Length: 1,500–2,000 words (excluding references).
• Voice: Rigorous yet accessible; avoid jargon where possible.
• Evidence: Cite sources and/or lived practice. Include at least 3 references (academic, policy, or credible grey literature).
• Referencing: Chicago author‑date or APA preferred. Include a short reference list at the end with working links where possible.
• Images (optional): Up to 2–5 images with captions/credits and confirmed usage rights. If showing people, ensure consent and safeguarding.
• Accessibility: Provide image alt text and define specialist terms on first use.
• Originality: The work must be your own and previously unpublished (personal blogs excepted if substantially revised).

Strict AI policy

We do not accept AI‑generated or AI‑written articles. You must disclose any tool use in your process (e.g., basic spelling/grammar checking); substantive text generation or paraphrasing tools are not permitted. Submissions will be screened for AI usage. 

What contributors receive

• Fee: £50 per published piece (paid via bank transfer within 30 days).
• Credit: Full byline, short bio, and links to your site or institutional profile.
• Ongoing opportunities: Strong pieces may lead to regular contributor invitations.

How to pitch (what to send)

Please label your pitch: “Journal Pitch — Museums & Photography for Community — [Your Name]” and include:

1. Outline (150–300 words): Your central argument, key sections, and why it matters now.
2. Evidence: 1–3 indicative references or sources demonstrating how you’ll support claims (case studies, datasets, policy, peer‑reviewed work).
3. Bio (≤100 words): Your role, affiliations, and any relevant writing experience (e.g., academic essays, peer‑review, sector blogs).
4. Availability: When you could deliver a full draft.
5. Conflicts & ethics (if applicable): Note any organisational ties to the cases you discuss.

If you have access needs or prefer to pitch via audio or short call, let us know and we’ll arrange an alternative.

Selection & timeline

We aim to acknowledge pitches within 72 hours and provide a commissioning decision within 7 days. Commissioned writers will receive a short brief, house style, and a simple contributor agreement covering rights and payment.

Rights & licence

Contributors retain copyright. For published pieces, you grant The Light Frame Gallery a non‑exclusive, worldwide licence to publish online and promote the article across our channels, with full credit.

You are free to republish after a 30‑day window with a link back and acknowledgement of first publication.

About fees and pay

We are a small, non-profit gallery currently operating without a production budget, so there is no artist fee for this opportunity.

We do not charge participation fees. We take pride in providing fair, thorough representation of every photographer who contributes, and we work to maximise visibility and context for the work.

What artists gain from participating

• Curatorial feature & editorial context: Each selected project receives a dedicated feature on The Light Frame Gallery site with curatorial text and/or a short interview.

• Programme inclusion: Selected works become part of our programme. This includes an online feature as standard, with the possibility of inclusion in a curated online group exhibition. If/when we stage physical programmes, we will invite suitable featured artists (with separate written agreements).

• Promotion & reach: We will promote each feature across our social channels and through partner cross-posting where relevant. 

• Documentation: We provide clean editorial documentation: a project page with images, captions, credits, curatorial text, and accessible alt-text. Artists may request a simple PDF tear-sheet of their feature.

• Networking & dialogue: We host occasional online conversations (IG Live/Zoom) with featured artists and peers to encourage exchange and visibility.

• Transparency: We share basic analytics (page views and social impressions/engagement for your feature) within 30 days of publication.

Is this an exhibition or a publication?
This opportunity is primarily an editorial/online publication and programme feature. Inclusion in a future curated exhibition (online or physical) is possible but not guaranteed, and would be confirmed with a separate brief and agreement.

Visitor numbers / demographics

As we are launching, we don’t yet have historical in-person visitor figures. For online features, we commit to sharing transparent analytics for each participating artist (page views and social reach/engagement). Demographic insights will be included where available from platform analytics.

Sales & commission

Sales are optional for this call. If you wish to make works available, we will forward enquiries directly to you and just a 25% commission on introductions originating from your online feature.

Should a future physical exhibition take place, any sales/commission terms (if applicable) would be agreed in writing in advance for that specific event.

Marketing plan (digital & print)

• Website feature with curatorial text and credits

• Social media rollout (announcement, carousel/video highlight, and story reshares)

• Targeted outreach to relevant community groups and networks

• Optional online artist talk/IG Live recorded and embedded on the feature page

• Press note to niche outlets/newsletters where appropriate (subject to editorial interest)

Documentation for artists

• Editorial project page archived on our site

• Shareable assets (image selections resized for web, pull-quotes, and captions)

• Optional PDF tear-sheet / one-pager

• Recording of any public online conversation (if held)

Private view/opening & networking

For online features, we offer an optional live online conversation (IG Live or Zoom) featuring the artist and a member of our curatorial team, with audience Q&A. If a physical event is scheduled in the future, a private view will be hosted with details shared well in advance.

Additional exposure

• Feature on our website within the programme archive

• Social media features across our channels

• Inclusion in round-up posts and press notes (when applicable)

• Eligibility for consideration in future curated (online/physical) presentations

Selection & timeline

We aim to respond to all submissions within 7 days. All applicants will be notified by email. Selection is made by The Light Frame Gallery curatorial team.

Accessibility

We welcome alternative formats: audio description of the project (≤3 minutes), video statement (≤2 minutes), or a phone/Zoom conversation on request. We provide alt-text for images on our site.

Rights & permissions

By submitting, artists confirm they hold the necessary rights to the work and that any required consents have been obtained. Selected artists grant The Light Frame Gallery a non-exclusive licence to reproduce submitted materials for press and promotional purposes related to the programme, with full credit. We will never retail or sell works without prior written agreement with the artist(s).

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