Tag Archives: boston comic arts foundation

Announcing BCAF’s Lightning Grants to Massachusetts Cartoonists for Professional Expenses

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The Boston Comic Arts Foundation has announced that it is now accepting applications for the inaugural round of a new grant program: Lightning Grants. This is the first grant program of its kind for BCAF. 

Lightning Grants are individual $250 grants designed to get money into creators’ hands quickly and without red tape. BCAF Executive Director Shelli Paroline says, “We created these grants because we know so many cartoonists are burdened by the costs of creating their comics. Let us pay for that software subscription, printing cost, or supplies for your next project, so you can focus on your work.”

These grants recognize the immediate monetary need for a comic artist’s business and professional expenses. The amounts are set to offer quick and frictionless support to skilled cartoonists and affirm the community’s value of their promise and their work. No lengthy review cycles, no complicated process—the Lightning Grants offer fast, direct support for the comic artists who make this community what it is. Applications open today and conclude July 20th, 2026. 

Here’s the link to apply: http://www.bostoncomicarts.org/lightning

The Boston Comic Arts Foundation builds community through comics. We believe in the power of comics to inspire, educate, and bring people together. That’s why we help promote spaces for both creators and readers to find one another, exchange ideas, and grow as a community through our four annual festivals, our monthly Picture + Panel events series, author grants, and advocacy for the comics format.

BCAF Presents: Boston Reads Comics, featuring Raul the Third’s The Snips!

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Boston Reads Comics

Boston Comic Arts Foundation‘s mission is sharing the love of comics reading! They’re excited to launch their second year of our summer reading program, Boston Reads Comics. 

This July, the organization is challenging Boston kids and families to pick up a fantastic graphic novel from beloved local author Raúl the Third: The Snips. The book is a fun, action-packed take that introduces a new superhero team. 

Raúl The Third is a four-time Pura Belpre award-winning illustrator, author, and artist living in the Boston area with his wife, colorist Elaine Bay. He is the illustrator of the critically acclaimed Low Riders in Space series and the World of ¡Vamos! books. His work centers around the contemporary Mexican American experience and his memories of growing up in El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

The program wraps up on Saturday, July 11th with a big a big celebration of kids, comics, and reading at the BPL Central Library. It takes place from 1pm – 4pm with drawing activities, a silent read-along, and a talk with author Raúl the Third. This is THE big kids comics event to check out in Boston this summer! You can find registration info here: https://www.bostoncomicarts.org/event-details/boston-reads-comics-2026

The BostonComic Arts Foundation builds community through comics. We believe in the power of comics to inspire, educate, and bring people together. That’s why we help promote spaces for both creators and readers to find one another, exchange ideas, and grow as a community through our four annual festivals, our monthly Picture + Panel events series, author grants, and advocacy for the comics format.

The Boston Comic Arts Foundation Announces the 2026 Underground Visionary Award Winner

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BCAF Underground Visionary Award

The Boston Comic Arts Foundation has announced the annual Underground Visionary Award, given each year to honor the work of an individual, publisher, or community-builder whose dedication has brought opportunity, attention, and change to the comics medium. With this award, the Boston Comic Arts Foundation aims to inspire creators and enthusiasts to actively engage with the comics format, fostering creativity and community in the world of comics.

The 2025 award recognizes comics author and educator Cathy G. Johnson, and was presented at the annual Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (MICE). 

This is an honor, thank you. I dedicate this award to my collaborators and community: the Authors Against Book Bans Rhode Island chapter, alongside whom I worked to help pass the Freedom to Read Act in Rhode Island; my studiomates at Binch Press / Queer.Archive.Work in Providence, where we build community and create together; and especially the many colleagues, librarians, and students who make my comics classes through Comic Art Ed! possible. Comic books can be lonely, but this award reminds me that I get to be a part of an extraordinary community. For me, this award not only recognizes the work that I’ve done, but the people I’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside, and our shared commitment to keeping art accessible to everyone.

-Cathy G. Johnson

The Underground Visionary Award recognizes an individual who has contributed to the independent comics community in New England, often in ways that are not immediately visible. I’m grateful we can honor someone in this way during MICE, a vibrant event that celebrates indie comics artists at all stages of their careers. Cathy G. Johnson is an extraordinary educator, artist, and community advocate, and I’m delighted they were chosen as this year’s recipient.

-MICE Co-Director Sadie Saunders 

While there were a number of impressive and talented individuals that the committee considered, Cathy stood out not only for the remarkable variety in her art (from Jeremiah to The Breakaways!) but also for how much she gives back in terms of activism and education. She is producing amazing work even as she ensures there are rising generations to do likewise.

-BCAF Grants and Awards Coordinator A. David Lewis.

Boston Comic Arts Foundation Presents: Boston Reads Comics this July!

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The mission of Boston Comic Arts Foundation is sharing the love of comics reading. BCAF is doing that this summer with an all-new program called Boston Reads Comics.

This July, BCAF has encouraged Boston kids and families to pick up one of our favorite graphic novels: Awkward, by Svetlana Chmakova. It’s a wonderful story about starting a new school, middle school rivalries, and friendship from an amazing Massachusetts author.

BCAF will wrap up this program this Saturday, July 26 with a big celebration of kids, comics, and reading at the BPL Central Library. Join us from 1pm – 4pm for drawing activities, a silent read-along, and a talk with author Svetlana Chmakova and Elissa Gershowitz, Editorial Director of The Horn Book. 

BCAF is giving out free copies of the best-selling book at the Boston Public Library’s Jamaica Plain Branch and the Central Branch Children’s Room. 

You can register for this Saturday’s event.

The Boston Comic Arts Foundation Announces the Underground Visionary Award

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Underground Visionary Award

The Boston Comic Arts Foundation has announced the annual Underground Visionary Award, given each year at the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo to honor the work of an individual, publisher, or community-builder whose dedication has brought opportunity, attention, and change to the comics medium. With this award, the Boston Comic Arts Foundation recognizes people and organizations for their active engagement with the comics format, fostering creativity and community in the world of comics.

The first annual award recognizes long-time comics publisher, agent, and champion Denis Kitchen, and was presented at MICE December 8th, 2024. 

The Boston Comic Arts Foundation champions the comics art form, increasing excitement about and engagement with the comics medium to create opportunities for more comics, more comics readers, and more support for comics creators. BCAF celebrates comics, graphic novels, and independent creators through art festivals, artist grants, and educational programming. Partnering with local libraries, schools, and organizations, BCAF increases access to comics by providing high-quality events and educational opportunities, which are free and open to all. BCAF supports the work of local comics creators, and is committed to fostering equity in a community of authors and readers that includes all voices.