Editor

About A4

The Asian American Arts Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring greater representation, equity, and opportunities for Asian American artists and cultural organizations through resource sharing, promotion, and community building.

Since 1983, A4 has sought to unify, promote, and represent the artistic and cultural producers of one of New York City’s fastest-growing populations. We are a diverse alliance of artists, organizations, and arts supporters who believe that working together as a pan-ethnic, multidisciplinary community is essential to nurturing the development of artists and arts groups. A4 serves as a thoughtful convener of the Asian American cultural workforce around issues of race, identity, and artmaking and provides a critical voice for this community. We are the only service organization in the country dedicated to the professional development of Asian American artists in all disciplines.

About A4 Forward Magazine

A4 Forward Magazine centers AAPI content for and by AAPI creators with a culturally relevant lens. The magazine aims to advance the stories told by AAPI creators and provide a platform for the community’s authentic voices to be heard. As an online initiative, it will focus on the New York cultural community, but will be national in scope.

A4 Forward will advance the contributions of AAPI creators, and provide thoughtful reviews of and spotlights for AAPI art and narratives, as well as personal essays from AAPI thinkers, activists, and community leaders examining the intersections of art, culture, and politics.

Additionally, the magazine will serve as a critical archive, documenting the cultural output of the AAPI community. It is imperative that the work we do is documented and preserved – and A4 Forward seeks to be a platform for smaller organizations and individual artists who may not have the capacity to document their important work.

In 2023, A4 celebrates its 40th anniversary; with this milestone falling during a time of both increased challenge for our community and increased awareness of Asian American issues, our intention is to seize this moment to launch A4 Forward.

To start, the digital magazine will publish feature stories on a monthly basis, and shorter pieces on a weekly basis.

About the Role

A4 is seeking a talented, detail-oriented, and mission-driven person with excellent writing and editorial skills for the Editor position. You’ll report to the Executive Director and manage writers and photographers to ensure that stories are regularly written and posted online.

The Editor is responsible for the day-to-day operations and workflow of A4 Forward. You will be involved in managing and outreaching for pitches, fostering relationships with existing contacts, managing the publication calendar on an ongoing basis, and working with staff and contractors to maintain a smooth workflow.

Responsibilities Include:

• Establishing timetable for magazine production
• Working with an A4-contracted designer to create overall look and feel of the magazine and directing any updates as necessary
• Working with communications manager and programs director to develop launch strategy
• Assembling and managing the writing and production staff including:
• Establishing contact and maintaining relationships with artists and art organizations of all disciplines for potential stories and inclusion in the magazine
• Recruiting and working closely with writers and photographers to ensure their stories align with A4’s voice, values, and mission
• Soliciting, selecting, shaping, and assigning articles
• Reviewing and performing edits, fact-checking, and proofreading for pieces
• Pre- and post-publication administrative duties including solicitations, confirmations, thank yous, permissions, etc.
• Performing other editorial duties as needed

Requirements

• Has a passion for the arts and the role they play in fostering a vibrant and healthy society. A demonstrated commitment to the arts and/or Asian American issues is preferred.
• 3+ years of editorial experience (required)
• Familiarity with Google Apps, Microsoft Word and Excel, and the ability to pick up new applications easily (e.g. Trello, Jotform, Slack, Neon CRM)
• Basic HTML skills
• Proven editing and professional journalism experience
• Basic copy editing skills (knowledge of Chicago Style a plus)
• Excellent verbal and writing skills
• Detail oriented and deadline driven
• Ability to work on a small team
• Passion for learning and desire to support A4’s growth

Application Instructions

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three writing samples to
lgold@aaartsalliance.org with EDITOR in the subject line on or before July 31, 2022.

Additional Information:

The Editor is a part-time, exempt position (estimated 20 hours/week) and will be compensated $40/hour; they will report to the Executive Director.

Start date: August 2022
Location: New York, NY

A4 is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment
regardless of race, color, gender identity or presentation, age, national origin, creed,
disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or political affiliation.