RCJ: Reflective Creative Journal

Open Call for Submissions: Reflective Creative Journal (RCJ)

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.

Submission Guidelines:

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.

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—use accessible language and a structured format.
• Reflect on a learning experience and follow all submission guidelines.
• Reference others’ work properly—use clear in-text citations. If mentioning an artwork, include details like: “I love Van Gogh’s Sunflowers series (1888).

Eligibility:

Open to all, including international submissions.

RCJ Submission Process:

Submit your work electronically using the form at the bottom of this page.

• Submissions go through peer review by an editorial board.
• Feedback, if given, will be brief.
• You’re welcome to resubmit after making edits.

Reflective Content

The Reflective Creative Journal (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.

The RCJ seeks to share learning experiences in the visual arts. Reflective practices—like writing about experiences and documentation—help people learn from mistakes, celebrate successes, and develop new skills. In preparing your submission, you may also want to use tools that support reflective practices, such as Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle.

Accessibility:

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.

Key Dates:

The call for submissions is rolling. Each journal will be published as content is selected regularly throughout the year. Sign up to the newsletter to keep up to date with No Jobs in the Arts projects, and be the first to hear about their paid opportunities.

Fees:

A suggested donation of £5 per submission is essential to support the ongoing development and sustainability of the RCJ. All submissions are welcome regardless of whether a donation is made. This is an unpaid published opportunity.

For further information, please contact: nojobsinthesarts@hotmail.com

Current Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1 (call for submissions)

Previous Issues:
There are no past issues of the Reflective Creative Journal (RCJ) yet, but all future issues will be available here as free-to-view PDFs. The RCJ continues the publishing work of No Jobs in the Arts CIC, whose latest release is Issue #9 (2025).

Date:
2025-

Format:
Online, independent, international, peer-reviewed, non-academic journal.

Discipline(s):
Visual Arts (also inc. Combined Arts, Photography, Crafts, Digital Media, and Film)

Publisher:
No Jobs in the Arts

Please donate to help sustain the online journal.