CFP: Small Press Expo 2020

Conference
International Comic Arts Forum
September 12-13, 2020
Stichtag: 2020 02 15

The International Comic Arts Forum invites proposals for scholarly presentations for its twenty-first meeting, to be held at the Small Press Expo (SPX) in Bethesda, Maryland from September 12-13, 2020. Scholars who present at ICAF will have the opportunity, as part of their registration fee, to enjoy SPX exhibitors, artist talks, and the Ignatz Awards ceremony. ICAF will be co-located with SPX at the Marriott North Bethesda Hotel & Conference Center, which will also provide accommodations to attendees at a reduced rate. Our keynote speaker for the 2020 conference will be Martha H. Kennedy, Library of Congress curator and author of Drawn to Purpose: American Women Illustrators and Cartoonists.

ICAF welcomes original proposals from diverse disciplines and theoretical perspectives on any aspect of comics or cartooning. We particularly welcome proposals of presentations that reflect an international perspective. Studies of aesthetics, production, distribution, and/or reception, as well as analysis of social, ideological, and/or historical significance are equally welcome, as are studies that address larger theoretical issues linked to comics or cartooning. Given the shared histories and missions of ICAF and SPX, two events that have long celebrated diversity, inclusion, and independence in the comics world, we hope to offer thematic panels on small press, independent, and self-published comics of all genres. We also hope to highlight the work of women and non-binary cartoonists; submissions in these areas are encouraged, though not required.

PROPOSAL GUIDELINES: ICAF prefers argumentative, thesis-driven presentations that are clearly linked to larger critical, artistic, or cultural issues; we avoid those that are survey-like in character. We accept original 20-minute presentations that have not been presented or accepted for publication elsewhere. Presenters can assume an audience versed in comics and the fundamentals of comics studies. Proposals should not exceed 300 words.

All proposals will be subject to blind review. Applicants can expect to receive notice of their proposal’s standing by April 10, 2020 (acceptance, rejection, or wait-listing).

Send abstracts by February 15, 2020, to ICAF Academic Director Brittany Tullis: TullisBrittanyN@sau.edu

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