Big Red & Shiny -- Call for Papers

Big Red & Shiny (www.bigredandshiny.com) is a web-based monthly publication devoted to contemporary art writing in all its facets. Centered around the history, theory, and reception of contemporary art, we have published texts and criticism on a wide range of subjects, including architecture, performance, food & art, augmented reality, the linguistic habits of art writers, in depth examinations of Mark Morrisroe, Jimmy Durham, Luther Price, & The Jogging, as well as interviews with a range of artists, curators, and program directors from around the world.

The Editors are currently seeking previously unpublished submissions from writers, academics, artists, video producers, historians, critics, and theorists. We are interested in long form essays, averaging 3000-5000 words, by writers who investigate how art can function. In parallel to publishing those essays, we are interested in fostering author-artist collaborations that combine original texts with multimedia contributions (video, audio, photography, animation). We publish in depth reviews of current art exhibits and events, which run around 1500-3000 words.

Big Red & Shiny Journal publishes up to three (3) reviews per month and reserves up to seven (7) slots for essays, multimedia content, interviews, or collaborative pieces.

We have no limits on writers' locations, current academic status, or publication history.

Commissioned authors receive:
- Ongoing editorial support
- $100 for essays, interviews, multimedia etc.
- $65 for reviews
- Long-term hosting of your text on Big Red & Shiny’s website


To apply, please send an abstract and writing sample along with contact information and a short bio to John Pyper [email protected] and Stephanie Cardon [email protected].




History of the Publication
After a two-year hiatus, Big Red & Shiny returned to the web in September 2012 with new editors and a brand new design. Part of our relaunch included upgrading our blog to become a daily source of short form art writing and allocating our resources as a 501(C)3 non-profit to support long-form art writing through commissioning writing for our monthly Journal. Future plans include expanding the range of publications beyond the web by producing formats that include e-books, a series of public panels, and a stand-alone app.