Competitions

Illustration

MoCCA 

A division of the SOI, called the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art specifically focused on cartoons, comics, and graphic novels. A two-day festival for illustrators focused on comic arts, books, and zines. Illustrators and publishers sell comics, stickers, books, prints, toys, t-shirts, etc. Panel discussions and lectures by comic artists and cartoonists. If the illustrator has a table at the event the work will be judged into categories for long and short-form books, single comics, and special format books.

When/Where: early April, 2 days in NYC

SOI (The Society of Illustrators)

Founded in 1901, the Society of Illustrators is the oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to the art of illustration in America. 

Student Competition– editorial, portraiture, concept art, book illustration, comics, etc

When: submissions in January/February

Annual Competition– Competition for all professional categories of illustration

When: Fall

The Original Art Show -Children’s Picture Books Published in the US

When: Summer/Fall

American Illustration / American Photography

Annual Competition, Web Directory and Book Publication, and AI Annual Party, and Newsletters

When: competition opens usually opens inJan/Feb

3×3

3×3 is the first publication devoted entirely to the art of contemporary illustration run by Charles Hively. The organization hosts annual student and professional competitions. The magazine and website posts interviews and holds portfolio reviews.

When: March

Communication Arts

Annual Design Competitions in Photography, Illustration, Graphic Design, Motion Design, and Advertising.

When: Throughout the year. Check dates.

Art Director’s Club Awards

Design Competitions in all categories: typography, branding, advertising, illustration,etc

When: February

AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts)

Resources and information for the Design and Arts community.  Job postings, networking events, workshops, and conferences.

AIGA NY

various monthly and yearly events

AIGA Portfolio Festival

Virtual event(2022) supporting students, recent graduates, emerging designers, and those looking to refresh their portfolio. 

When: July

NY Comic Con

New York Comic Con is the East Coast’s largest pop culture convention and the only one that takes place in the comic book, publishing, media, and licensing capital of the world — Gotham City. Artists sign and sell work, book events, panels, and meetups.

East Village Zine Fair

Independent publishers, zine makers, and East Village DIY culture and history. 

MoCCA (a division of the Society of Illustrators)

A 2 day festival for illustrators focused on comic arts and indie books. Illustrators and publishers sell comics, stickers, books, prints, toys, t-shirts, etc. See above for competition.

When: in early April, applications are usually opened early after the new year.

Icon Conference

Four day conference held annually in a different city. Workshops, lectures, networking events for illustrators.ICON: The Illustration Conference is a 4-day event featuring paper presentations by top educators, workshops led by and for illustrators, a marketplace, an exhibition showing original works, a juried animation screening.
When: Summer

Pictoplasma

Illustration conference with a focus on independent character illustrators. Conferences are held annually in Berlin and sometimes in New York. Lectures, panel presentations, portfolio reviews, and screenings.

When: Summer/ check for NYC dates

SCBWI

Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators: A Non-profit organization devoted to books and book illustration for the children’s market. 

When: Monthly events in different cities including NYC. 

Winter(January) and Summer(July) Annual conferences held in NYC and Los A Angelas or remote. Lectures, meetups, critique groups, portfolio reviews.

Rise Up Animation

Rise Up Animation was created by working studio professionals Frank Abney, Trent Correy, Monica Lago-Kaytis & Bobby Pontillas as a movement to provide support to all People of Color with the goal of helping diverse talent Rise Up in the Animation Industry.

Panels, workshops, and mentoring.FREE one-time 60 minute feedback session with an Industry Professional to BIPOC individuals who are 18 years or older interested in the animation industry. Mentees can select from over 25 different disciplines.

Women in Animation

WIA is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing people of underrepresented gender identities — women, transgender and nonbinary individuals — in the field of animation.  Annual summit, student scholarships, and clubs.

Photography

American Illustration / American Photography

Annual Competition, Web Directory and Book Publication, and AI Annual Party, and Newsletters

When: competition opens usually opens inJan/Feb

Communication Arts

Annual Design Competitions in Photography, Illustration, Graphic Design, Motion Design, and Advertising.

When: Throughout the year. Check dates.

Advertising Design and Graphic Design

Communication Arts

Annual Design Competitions in Photography, Illustration, Graphic Design, Motion Design, and Advertising.

When: Throughout the year. Check dates.

Art Director’s Club Awards

Design Competitions in all categories: typography, branding, advertising, illustration,etc

When: February

SPD (Society of Publication Design)

SPD includes anyone contributing to the creation of visual stories, from art directors to coders and data miners, from major publications to independent zines, from seasoned professionals to students. 

When: Student competition March

EVENTS/Organizations

The One Club For Creativity

Non-profit Design organization that hosts events, lectures, and competitions.