Museum magazine, a membership publication of the American Alliance of Museums, addresses topics of interest for those who work in or support the museum field. It is published six times a year in January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December.

Each issue of the 48-page magazine has an overarching theme, which is addressed by four or five feature articles and an opinion column (called Point of View) and shares other timely news about museums and museum professionals. The descriptions below highlight the various types of magazine content.

Types of Articles:

Generally, articles in the magazine:

• Address cutting-edge issues
• Contain thought-provoking information or practices
• Shift conceptual or methodological approaches
• Offer different perspectives
• Extend the boundaries of museum practice

Feature Articles

In-depth coverage of an event or issue related to a magazine theme and its implications for museum practice. Written by a subject matter expert or practitioner who provides background information, practical how-to advice, or theoretical/philosophical approach based on personal experience, interviews, and/or research.

Word count: 1500-1800 words

Point of View

An opinion on a current issue or event related to the magazine theme in which there may not be a consensus or may be divergent viewpoints. The point of view raises greater awareness of the issue, offers various causes of the problem and suggests solutions, and/or encourages action. Point of View articles may be paired with Counter Points when appropriate.

Word count: 1000-1200 words

First Look

Brief profiles of museum news in areas to include temporary and permanent exhibitions, new building or building expansions, honors, partnerships/initiatives, etc. Submit details, including a high-resolution image using this form.

Word count: 50-75 words

Tributes and Transitions

Brief information on career transitions, memoriams, retirements, honors, etc. Submit information using this form along with a photo (jpeg or eps file at least 300 dpi). Announcement on new jobs will only include a photo, position title, and institution.

Word count: 25-40 words

Editorial Calendar

The themes for the six issues of the magazine are announced each year in the fall on the AAM website and in AAM’s newsletter Aviso. At that time, AAM solicits article pitches, which can also be submitted throughout the year. To view magazine themes and submit an article pitch, visit our website.

Writing Guidelines

Museum is not an academic journal. It does not publish dissertations or other academic papers.

Articles should do the following:

• describe what you are writing about, why the topic is important, and why the reader should care
• what informed your approach and the questions that informed your thinking
• what you have learned from your experience and the advice you would provide to others
• how this might inform current and/or future museum practice

The magazine follows the Chicago Manual of Style, with a few exceptions. We do not include footnotes or endnotes; when citing data or research, it should be incorporated into the text in a journalistic style.

We are always seeking ideas for articles that address the issue themes. Article ideas can be submitted using our pitch form. As the magazine is limited in its page count, ideas that cannot be included in the magazine are also considered for inclusion on other content channels, such as the Alliance blog, so feel free to pitch ideas at any time.

Please note that we generally secure content for each issue three to five months prior to publication.

We do not feature articles that have been published in another publication or are copyrighted.

Format: Use our style tips below for common format and style questions.

• Single space after periods.
• Use subheads to organize the content of your article (and alert the reader to that organization).
• Attempt to engage the reader with your introduction (or lede, as we call it in the magazine world).

Photos: We strongly encourage you to submit photos to support the narrative. Photos must be 300 dpi at the largest file size possible for optimal print quality. Photos can be in the following formats: TIFF, EPS, JPEG, PNG, and PSD. Illustrator files can be in the following formats: AI, EPS, and SVG. All media should be sent with proper caption and credit information and with all rights secured to use in the magazine. The magazine staff will choose ideal media for the layout.

Articles that will be included in the magazine should be submitted as a Microsoft Word attachment.  Articles do not need to include a title or subhead. They should include:

• Byline (your name)
• Bio (1-2 sentence bio with your e-mail address or website if you wish)
• Contact information for sources who are quoted

Tone

• Writers must represent themselves, museum organizations, and the American Alliance of Museums accurately and professionally.
• Journalistic tone is required, unless the article is a point of view.
• Articles should be constructive and beneficial to the field. While they can critique widespread challenges and practices, they should refrain from criticizing specific people and institutions.
• Articles that address societal issues, including controversial ones, should not be framed in partisan terms.

Other Requirements

• Articles that contain quotes must have source approval unless those quotes have already appeared in another publication.
• Writers are responsible for double-checking spelling of names, titles, years, and other reported facts.

Editorial Process

• The magazine staff provide editing support for all articles.
• Edited articles will include changes to adhere to the Museum style guide and for purposes of accuracy, clarity, or brevity. The edited articles are sent to writers for review and approval. Writers may need to add information or clarify certain points as part of the editorial process.
• It is not magazine policy to submit articles to sources in advance for their approval.