SCBWI Contests, Grants, and Opportunities for Illustrators
If you are an illustrator and you are wondering how you gain attention for your work, look no further! SCBWI offers illustrators many ways to gain the attention of art directors, editors, and agents and join a community of other kidlit illustrators and find some illo-buddies online.
Here are just a few:
* #scbwidrawthis -- a monthly contest for SCBWI members. The deadline for the monthly Draw This! is the last day of each month.
#scbwidrawthis SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
You must be a current SCBWI member to submit.
Post your work to Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #SCBWIDrawThis.
Artwork must be inspired by the prompt word in some way.
Art may be B&W, grayscale, or RGB color.
Vignettes, line art, and full-bleed art are welcome.
Find the monthly prompts in the monthly Insights email bulletin or online https://twitter.com/hashtag/scbwidrawthis
Failure to follow these guidelines will result in exclusion from the online gallery. For questions, email scbwidrawthis@scbwi.org.
* When you submit your art to Art Spot and the Insight monthly newsletter, you get the chance to be featured in the Bulletin, which is read by 25,000+ members, agents, art directors, and industry professionals. Click here for submission guidelines: https://www.scbwi.org/art-spot/
* When you submit your art to our contests, like the Tomie dePaola contest, grants, like the Don Freeman Grant, and awards, like the Bologna Illustration Gallery award, the winning art is featured prominently on our website and social media. Click here for grant and award information: https://www.scbwi.org/awards/grants/for-illustrators/
* When you upload your artwork to the SCBWI Illustrator Gallery, you have the opportunity to be viewed by art directors and editors searching for the illustrator for their next book. (https://www.scbwi.org/illustrator-gallery/)
* When you participate in both international and regional conferences and the portfolio showcases there, you are eligible for portfolio awards and your art is seen by art directors, editors and publishers. Click here for information on the Portfolio Awards: https://www.scbwi.org/awards/grants/portfolio-awards/
And, by participating in any of these features, you are greatly increasing your chances of being chosen as our monthly Featured Illustrator, promoted on our website and social media for a full month.
So remember, take advantage of the many ways SCBWI can help you get more exposure and put your work out there!
*Also, from Gina Perry in the most recent SCBWI Insight:
“If you are an illustrator who hasn’t joined #KidLitArtPostcard yet, I encourage you to give it a try. On the first Thursday of each month, post one great illustration on Twitter and/or Instagram with the hashtag, #KidLitArtPostcard. Share new work or older art from your portfolio. Share work that is narrative or that shows you can illustrate the same character in a variety of emotions and actions. Take some time to look at old posts online and see what size and format looks best on a computer screen. Technically speaking, be sure and put your name and email or website on the image itself. Make it easy for that agent or editor to reach out and connect. When you share your art, mention your current agent or if you are looking for representation. And have fun, for goodness sake, because your joy always shows up in the art. Once you’ve posted, look at everyone else’s work. Use good social media manners and like, share, follow, and comment on the illustrations you admire.
#KidLitArtPostcard!
Upcoming 2022 KidLitArtPostcard Dates: June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1, October 6, November 3, December 1
Bonus Tip: Put these dates into your calendar and set alerts, so you don’t miss out!”