Award info
In honor of Ezra Jack Keats, the legendary author and illustrator of children’s books including The Snowy Day, Whistle for Willie, and Peter’s Chair, SCBWI will award one cash prize of $3,500 to a promising BIPOC illustrator. The money can be used to advance professional artistic development and growth, and can include items such as supplies, equipment, research, learning experiences, travel, creative sabbaticals, child care, or any legitimate expenses that allow the winners to develop or improve their art.
Winners announced on October 1.
Submission guidelines
Eligibility: The award is for SCBWI members who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color) and have not been traditionally published.
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
Questions? Please contact Sarah Diamond at sarahdiamond@scbwi.org.
