Summer 2026 Portfolio Showcase
Our annual Summer Portfolio Showcase is a career-launching opportunity for children's book illustrators! This juried showcase is a terrific way to get your illustrations in front of top publishing professionals. This year’s format will be a three-image portfolio, with links to your SCBWI Member Profile Illustrator Gallery.
Portfolios are judged as a whole, not on any individual image. The judges are looking for children’s book publishing appropriateness, consistency of a strong illustrative “voice” throughout, and fresh and unique styles.
Visit the Portfolio Awards page to learn how to enter.
You must be registered for the conference to participate and you must be a Premium Member. Participation in the showcase is an additional $75. Members can purchase the Portfolio Showcase as a package with the Illustrators Half-Day Intensive for a reduced rate.
The showcase winners and honor recipients will be announced live on Zoom at the Summer Conference Wrap-Up and Awards on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Get your art in front of industry professionals at our career-launching online showcase.
PRIZES
1 Gold Award (1) winner will receive:Free admission to the next Virtual Summer Conference,
Two phone/virtual meetings with art directors/agents who will provide guidance and feedback on your portfolio,
A one year renewal of your SCBWI membership, and
Two images from your portfolio will be showcased in the SCBWI booth at the 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Fair.*
1 Silver Award winner will receive:Two phone/virtual meetings with art directors/agents who will provide guidance and feedback on your portfolio,
A one year renewal of your SCBWI membership, and
One image from your portfolio will be showcased in the SCBWI booth at the 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Fair.*
2 Bronze Award winners will receive:One phone/virtual meeting with an art director or agent who will provide guidance and feedback on your portfolio.
One image from the winner’s portfolio will be showcased in the SCBWI booth at the 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Fair.*
Images from the Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners’ portfolios will be displayed in a special showcase in the SCBWI booth at the 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Fair along with their name, website, and country of origin. There will be more than 30,000 people and 1500 exhibitors from 100 countries attend this renowned book fair.
