SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: 2025 Illustrator Day and Picture Book Author Day
ABOUT THE EVENT:
Join us live in Lancaster, PA, on September 27 for a full day of learning for illustrators and picture book writers! This in-person event will feature a track for illustrators and a track for picture book writers with presentations and critique opportunities from industry professionals.
Full event details can be found at https://www.scbwi.org/events/illustrator-day-pb-author-day-live-in-lancaster-2025.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE SCHOLARSHIP?
The scholarship will cover the cost of registration for the full event, which includes access to two bonus webinars ("Curating an Illustration Career" with Kelly Pelsue and "Picture Book Pacing" with Bunmi Ishola), plus a free one-on-one in-person critique with a faculty member of your choice and the Art Director’s Assignment (for illustrators). The total value of this scholarship is $314 (based on premium member rates).
The scholarship does not include transportation to the event, meals, or lodging (if needed).
WHO CAN APPLY?
Eastern PA SCBWI and its Equity and Inclusion Team are honored to offer TWO full Equity and Inclusion/Financial Need scholarships for our 2025 in-person Illustrator Day and Picture Book Author Day event in Lancaster, PA, on September 27. The scholarships will be awarded to one writer and one illustrator who self-identify as a member of a community that is traditionally underrepresented in the field of children’s literature (including but not limited to people of color, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, Native people, and people from ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities) AND/OR who have a financial hardship (and would not otherwise be able to attend).
One scholarship will be awarded to an illustrator and one scholarship will be awarded to a picture book writer. If you are a writer-illustrator, please choose ONE scholarship to apply to.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please fill out an application here (which includes submitting a personal statement and samples of your work): https://forms.gle/fc4v9GQPWY8W2Whz8
You will be asked to submit a personal statement.
For illustrators, you will be asked to provide a link to a website where we can see your illustration work; OR upload the first half spread plus the next two full spreads of your picture book dummy; OR upload five portfolio-ready illustrations.
For writers, you will be asked to upload one full picture book manuscript; OR the first half spread plus the next two full spreads of your picture book dummy.
Note: The samples do not need to reflect experiences within an underrepresented or marginalized community. Our goal, and mission, is to uplift and support the creators.
Deadline to apply for the scholarship is May 15, 2025.
Scholarship applicants will be informed of the decision on or before May 30, 2025.
In the event that equally qualified applicants apply, priority may be given to Eastern PA SCBWI members. Please note that if no applicants meet the requirements, Eastern PA SCBWI reserves the right not to award the scholarships for this event.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].