Our Annual Summer Conference Juried Portfolio Showcase is back! Every portfolio displayed is viewed by each of our judges and mentors, as well as faculty and conferees in attendance, consisting of art directors, editors, agents, and other publishing professionals. The portfolio showcase is a terrific way to get your illustrations in front of some of the top publishing professionals working today.
Submission Requirements & Information
You must submit a portfolio following the guidelines listed below. You may also include a dummy. The dummy is optional and IN ADDITION to your portfolio, not in lieu of.
Portfolio:
One (1) permitted
Size: (Measure while open)
Maximum width: 29” max.
Maximum height: 12” max.
Closed Portfolio: 3” tall max.
10 – 15 images suggested.
Copies or prints only; no original art.
Name: your name and contact information must be in or on your portfolio.
* Please Note: Portfolios that do not follow requirements will be
disqualified from judging, and may be placed at a back table.
Business or Promotional Cards—50-100 suggested.
Size: Up to 5”x 7” horizontal or vertical.
Only one design required. (one stack will be placed by portfolio)
No card holders permitted.
Bring cards in disposable plastic bag, or bound by rubber band.
Dummy:
One (1) or two (2) permitted.
Size: Dummies may not be larger than your portfolio.
Dummy is optional, not a requirement.
Dummy may not, in any way, be a partially or fully
published book. This includes self-published.
Up to two (2) dummies permitted.
Dummy must be attached to your portfolio.
(string, yarn or ribbon works well)
Juried Portfolio Awards
Grand Prize: Trip to New York, appointments with 3 art directors.
1st Honor: Cash prize
2nd Honor: Cash prize
Judging Criteria
Portfolios are judged as a whole, not on any individual image within. Judges are looking for:
Children’s book publishing appropriateness
Consistency of strong illustration ‘voice’ throughout the portfolio
Fresh and unique styles
SCBWI reserves the right not to award any or all prizes, at its sole discretion
Mentorship Program Awards
If you sign up for the portfolio show, you are also eligible for the special illustrator mentorship program. Each member of the SCBWI Board Illustrator Committee will identify one illustrator from the portfolio exhibit as a mentee for advanced level critique and mentoring.
The winners will be announced at the Portfolio Showcase opening.
Mentees will meet with each Board Illustrator Committee Mentor for a 15-minute one-on-one session to discuss their work, ask questions, get suggestions, and be challenged to take his/her work to the next level.
Mentors and Mentees will meet as a group to share information, tips and create career development strategies. Mentees are also invited to participate in the prestigious KidLitArtists Blog
To Participate
Sign up for the Portfolio Showcase when you register for the Summer Conference.
At the Summer Conference
On either Friday (7/31) or Saturday (8/1) morning at registration, please go to the Portfolio Showcase Registration table to sign in, and receive further information.
Portfolio drop-off will start at the beginning of the lunch break on Saturday, August 1, in accordance to the time you will be assigned.
Questions? Please e-mail:
Helpful Tips
DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE GUIDELINES HERE
All participants must sign and bring this release when dropping off their portfolio:
2015 ILLUSTRATOR SHOWCASE RELEASE