Cartoonists, Animators, and Illustrators

Exhibition Dates: December 4–20, 2025 (Thurs, Fri, Sat)

Location: Northrup King Building, Minneapolis, MN

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Art for All: The Stephanie Evelo Program for Art Inclusion is a program of the Institute on Community Integration (ICI), a research and training center at the University of Minnesota focused on improving policies and practices that support people with disabilities across all areas of life. Art for All supports and showcases artists with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities through professional opportunities, exhibitions, and community connection.

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Art for All invites cartoonists, animators, and illustrators to apply for Art Glow, an exhibition celebrating storytelling through character and imagination. The show will run across three weekends at the Northrup King Building and will also feature a semi-solo show by artist Sonny Deer.

This exhibition honors storytelling in all forms—through playful lines, expressive faces, and imaginative scenes. We seek original artwork in cartoon, comic, or animation styles—digital or traditional. Work may be influenced by popular styles but must not include or directly copy copyrighted characters (e.g., Disney, Marvel, Anime, etc.).

We expect to select 12–20 artists, each contributing 3–6 pieces depending on size and format.

This call is for artists who self-identify as having an intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD) or other disability, with a priority for artists with IDD. Art for All is committed to supporting and increasing representation of artists with disabilities, recognizing disability as a vital and meaningful part of the art world. This exhibition creates space for artists to share their voices, lived experiences, and creative perspectives with pride.

We welcome artists at any career stage who create expressive, original work in this genre.

- Artwork must be original (no copyrighted characters).*

- Style must reflect cartoons, comics, storytelling illustration or animation (digital** or traditional).

- Artists must self-identify as having an IDD or other disability.

- Final artwork must be delivered to ICI by November 4, 2025, including title and price or NFS.

*Note: We encourage creativity inspired by animated or comic styles, but artwork must not directly use or depict copyrighted characters or imagery (e.g., Disney, Marvel, DC, Anime franchises, etc.). This is to respect copyright laws and ensure the work can be shared publicly and potentially sold without legal risk to the artist or program. If your work was originally created for therapeutic or personal purposes and includes copyrighted elements but will not be offered for sale, please reach out—we may be able to consider it for a non-commercial, contextualized part of the show.

- Artists may mark work as for sale or not for sale (NFS). Pricing guidance is available upon request.

- Art for All is a non-commission-based program—100% of any sale goes to the artist or affiliated studio.

- Selected artists must sign a short participation agreement.

Open hours:

Thursdays 2–6 p.m.
Fridays 12–4 p.m.
Saturdays 12–5 p.m.

The space will also host events from Art for All and ICI-affiliated groups: readings, receptions, workshops, and community gatherings.

A closing reception and art market is proposed for Saturday, December 20, 3–5 p.m. Artists may retrieve unsold work or connect with buyers then.

- Call closes: September 24, 2025

- Notification of acceptance: by October 4, 2025

- Artwork due: November 4, 2025

- Exhibit runs: December 4–20, 2025

- Closing event: December 20, 2025

Submit images of your artwork and a short artist bio to Nik Fernholz at fern0104@umn.edu, fill out this online application, or leave a voicemail at 612-626-3346. Support is available if you need help applying.

Let your stories shine—join Art Glow and be part of a celebration of creativity, character, and animated imagination.