Bologna Illustrator Scholarship 2026- Applications OPEN

Would you like to attend the Bologna Children's Book Fair April 13 - 18, 2026? Well, now is your chance! Applications for the SCBWI's 2026 Bologna Illustrator Scholarship are now OPEN!

Also, shout out to Rashin Kheiriyeh, the 2025 winner of the Bologna Illustrator Scholarship!

Check out SCBWI at the Bologna Children's Book Fair!

Click the link to apply for the Bologna Illustrator Scholarship

"Submissions can be found on the MY AWARDS tab in your Member Home. Members must be logged in to scbwi.org to access their Member Home.

The submission should consist of three or four images without text that best showcase your portfolio. Your art style and visual story must be appropriate for one of these two specific audiences/book genres (Choose one):

• Full color, intended for a picture book for 4 to 7-year-olds
• Black and white, intended for a middle grade book for 8 to 11-year-olds
• You must be a current SCBWI member to submit."

Take a chance on yourself and apply today!

ALSO! The Bologna Children's Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition is open until November 3! SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES!

"Now in its 60th edition, the Illustrators Exhibition—which will take place as part of the next edition of the fair (13–16 April 2026)—offers the rare opportunity to bring the work of both established and emerging artists to the attention of industry professionals, during the fair and in the months that follow."

Each year, the winning illustrations will be shown in the show as well as be published in the Ilustrators Annual, released and distributed worldwide. Following the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, the Exhibition will embark on a two-year tour, throughout the world as well will be presented—"either in full or in part"—at various international events in different countries. This is a wonderful opportunity to get your work in front of professionals all over the world!

Mantras of mine:

"You'll never know if you don't try"

"If it's a 'No,' you'll still be where you are. But if it's a 'Yes,' who knows what doors will open!"

"No fear. No judgement!"

SCBWI 2025 Virtual Conference: Illustrator Intensive

I know that once I get into the groove of a conference, the creative energy starts to flow and circulate. My mind starts to wonder (in the best way) as you are writing down all of those incredible and invaluable notes, you begin to wonder how to apply them to your process.

Well, my illustrator friends, look no further! On Sunday, August 3rd, you can sign up for an Illustrator's Intensive, hosted and run by incredible artists, authors and art directors, where three successful illustrators will reveal their processes!

Clockwise from top left: Cece Bell (Author/Illustrator), Pat Cummings (Author/Illustrator), Cecilia Yung (Art Director, Illustrator), Zachariah OHora (Author/Illustrator), Laurent Linn (Art Director, Illustrator), Debbie Ridpath Ohi (Author/Illustrator)

This conference's intensive will be focused on:

FUNNY DRAWERS: The Serious Art of Visual Humor

Humor is powerful. Funny books have an uncanny way of finding their way into our hearts and onto best selling lists. Deployed strategically, comedy also creates a safe space to broach sensitive topics, discuss scary emotions, and introduce unfamiliar concepts. In children’s books, it’s a playful and effective way to introduce windows and mirrors that may change hearts and minds. Levity provides the honey that helps “the medicine go down.”

This is a wonderful opportunity to dive deeper into process, and really begin to see how it all those "notes" together!

For schedule, faculty bios and sign up for the Illustrator's Intensive HERE