The editors are pleased to invite submissions and inquiries from both established and emerging scholars of American art and related fields for all sections of our open-access journal. In general, Panorama publishes only original material that has not appeared elsewhere. All our content is reviewed; feature articles are double-blind peer reviewed, and all other content is either editor or guest editor reviewed. There are no submission or article publication charges, and all content is available on our site in full-text format free of charge, without embargo.
All article texts published in Panorama are distributed with a Creative Commons Noncommercial Attribution license (CC BY-NC 4.0). This license allows authors to retain the copyright to their work and grants users non-exclusive rights to share, copy, and/or redistribute the essay in any medium or format. Users may also adapt and/or build upon the article, as long as the original author and source are cited, and the use is for noncommercial purposes. Authors may also republish their material, with Panorama asking only for acknowledgement in the new source. Read the summary terms, or the full legal license code.
Permissions and fees for images and multimedia, when required, are secured directly through arrangement between Panorama’s contributors and the copyright holders. See Illustrations and Permissions Guidelines below.
All submissions (except for Talk Back) should be submitted through Panorama’s manuscript management system. Further guidelines for preparing submissions in each of Panorama’s various formats can be found below.
Feature-length articles are double-blind peer-reviewed by two scholars in the field. Manuscripts are usually 7,000-10,000 words in length (excluding captions and endnotes).
Feature Article Submission Checklist
- 250-word abstract
- Article text in Microsoft Word document
- Illustrations and caption list in Microsoft Word document
- Files named according to the following convention: SUBJECT [or title]_abstract; SUBJECT_article; SUBJECT_captions; etc.
- Text and image files scrubbed of all identifying information. In Word, follow the folder path file/properties/advanced properties/summary to remove document author information.
Contributions to In the Round are reviewed by the Executive Editors and may take a variety of forms:
- related conference or symposium papers revised for publication
- a suite of articles on a common theme
- written or transcribed roundtables
- interviews paired with an introductory text
The journal welcomes ideas for Colloquium (formerly Bully Pulpit), which are selected by the Executive Editors. Submissions generally incorporate a series of short texts that trace a conversation or debate on a topic that is of interest to the field. Colloquium usually begins with a short scholarly or polemical question or essay by a guest editor, followed by responses from invited authors. Colloquium contributions are reviewed by the guest editor in collaboration with the Executive Editors.
Colloquium encourages a personal tone, with individual essays of 500-1,500 words. See here for more information. Authors interested in submitting Colloquium ideas should begin with an inquiry to the Executive Editors at: journalpanorama@gmail.com
Research Notes are short works of original scholarship that bring attention to new museum acquisitions, recent research discoveries, or projects in development (curatorial, academic, and/or digital). Authors are encouraged to consider multimedia presentations for their work or interactive illustrations that can engage with digital humanities applications.
Research Notes are usually written in the first person, so that the author’s voice and excitement are significant. They can be informal in tone and speculative in content; at the same time, essays should demonstrate significant engagement with an image, art object, or archival find through detailed visual analysis and attention to the scholarly context for the discovery. Most authors place their presentation of the object, discovery or project’s main questions/interventions in the introductory paragraph, including or followed by how they discovered the information. Essays should clearly explain the significance of the discovery, analyzing and speculating on how it fits within (or adjacent to) the context of their larger research agenda, contributes to the field, and/or suggests new directions for scholarly exploration. Research Notes are an opportunity to share those wonderful moments when fresh information comes to light, to introduce new resources that may be of interest to other scholars, and/or to begin conversation within our intellectual community.
Research Notes are usually around 2,500 words long; they may include footnotes and up to five illustrations.
Completed Research Notes should be submitted through Panorama’s online portal. For more information, please contact one of our Research Notes editors:
- Emily C. Burns, Auburn University: emily.burns@auburn.edu
- Katelyn Crawford, Birmingham Museum of Art: kcrawford@artsbma.org
- Erin Pauwels, Temple University: erin.pauwels@temple.edu
- 150-word abstract
- Article in Microsoft Word document
- Illustrations and caption list in Microsoft Word document
- Files named according to the following convention: SUBJECT [or title]_abstract; SUBJECT_article; SUBJECT_captions; etc.
Each issue features reviews of recently published books in the field of American art. Upon commission, authors will be provided with a book review style guide. Review manuscripts, which are reviewed by the Book Review editors, are usually 1,500–2000 words in length. Note: we do not accept unsolicited review copies from authors and publishers.
Individuals interested in suggesting books for review or writing a book review should begin by contacting the Book Reviews editors. Submit inquiries to:
- Margaretta M. Lovell: mmlovell@berkeley.edu
- Marissa Vigneault: marissa.vigneault@usu.edu
- Amy Werbel, State University of New York, Fashion Institute of Technology, amy_werbel@fitnyc.edu
Each issue features recent or ongoing exhibitions in the field of American art. Upon commission, authors will be provided with specific style guidelines. Manuscripts, which are reviewed by the Exhibition Reviews editors, are usually 1,500–2000 words in length.
Individuals interested in suggesting exhibitions for review or writing an exhibition review should begin by contacting the Exhibition Reviews editors. Submit inquiries to:
- Rebecca Bedell: rbedell@wellesley.edu
- Caroline M. Riley: cmriley@bu.edu
- Mora Beauchamp-Byrd: mbeauchampbyrd@ut.edu
Panorama aims to be an open space for dialogue, to encourage underrepresented voices and viewpoints, and to grapple with timely questions, issues, and methods in the field of American art. Talk Back is an opportunity for readers to respond to specific questions, themes, or topics addressed in a particular Issue. Contributions should be less than 400 words, outline a particular connection to a previously published piece or section, be framed as letters to the Editor, and maintain a discursive, collegial tone. Publication of Talk Back contributions is at the discretion of the Editors. Published letters may be edited for mechanics and grammar.
Letters will be credited to the author and will not be published as “Anonymous,” unless there are legitimate concerns that warrant such a byline; such decisions will be made in consultation with the Editors. In all cases, current contact information should be provided, as the Editors may elect to contact the author. Text-only, publication-ready letters should be emailed to journalpanorama@gmail.com with the subject line “Talk Back.”
Letters will be credited to the author and will not be published as “Anonymous,” unless there are legitimate concerns that warrant such a byline; such decisions will be made in consultation with the Editors. In all cases, current contact information should be provided, as the Editors may elect to contact the author. Text-only, publication-ready letters should be emailed to journalpanorama@gmail.com with the subject line “Talk Back.”
General Information
- All text should conform to Panorama’s Submissions Guidelines and Style Guide; it should be double-spaced and in 12-point Arial font.
- Text and notes should follow the format of the current edition of the Chicago Manual of Style
- Notes should use Chicago’s "Notes and Bibliography" format (though we do not require a separate bibliography) and should appear at the end of the text.
- In its initial appearance, each citation should be in its complete form; thereafter please use a shortened citation. Please consult Chicago's citation guide for more information.
- Authors are encouraged to use hyperlinks judiciously, taking a reader away from the text only in furtherance of the argument.
Any article that will include images or multimedia must include a Caption List with Thumbnail Images in the original submission (example). This will allow editors and reviewers to envision the final article and will ultimately assist with production. Depending upon what section you are writing for and where you are in the process, it may be more appropriate to submit final, high-resolution images and any necessary copyright permissions at a later date.
For the final manuscript, the author must provide any images as high-resolution digital files. As a general rule, image files should be 300 dpi and 3000 pixels wide, and submitted in jpg format only.
Panorama can also accommodate certain audio and video media files, and authors are encouraged to incorporate these in their submissions when relevant.
Contributors are responsible for determining whether formal permissions are required for the inclusion of images and multimedia; for securing permissions and paying fees, when necessary; and for providing appropriate attribution for publication. Contributors must provide documentation of permissions through the journal’s manuscript management system. Contributors should request non-exclusive English-language, worldwide digital publishing rights.
Contributors should also note that many cultural institutions now offer free, open-access use of images from their collections. Resource list here.
A subvention, paid to the author, may be available to offset the cost of reproduction permissions. Details available upon request.
Fig. 0. Artist, Title of Work, date. Medium, dimensions. Collection; required credit line. Photography credit.