The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) Students travel from across the U.S. and around the world to study comics at CCS in a diverse and vibrant community in Vermont.
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree w/low Residency Option
Do you have burning questions about CCS’s MFA and certificate programs but aren’t able to make it to one of our admissions events? Drop us a line at outreach@cartoonstudies.org and we can set up a 1-on-1 video chat session to answer any of your questions about the curriculum, the application process, student housing, financial aid, living in Vermont, or anything else you need to know about applying to CCS!
Applications are now open for the 2025 Cornish CCS Residency Fellowship, which will take place October 21- November 21, 2025. The Deadline to apply is April 1, 2025. This month-long residency provides housing, a studio space, access to all The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) facilities, and a living stipend.
Located in Cornish and at the country’s premier cartooning college, The Cornish CCS Residency is designed to create a focused and inspiring environment for cartoonists in order to create exceptional work. Cornish is located 16 miles from The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) in rural New Hampshire. For a complete description of the fellowship, application requirements, and eligibility, visit: cartoonstudies.org/cornishfellowship
Congratulations to CCS alumni who made the American Library Association ALA’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading list!
Each year the Cartoonist Studio Prize will be awarded to work that exemplifies excellence in cartooning. The creators of two exceptional comics for this year will be awarded $1,000 each.
The two award categories for the 13th Cartoonist Studio Prize are Long-form Comic of the Year and Short-form Comic of the Year.
Submissions in both categories must be received by February 28, 2025.
Join us this Summer to brush up on your cartooning skills or learn new ones! Click here to check out the complete line-up and register today! In-person and online workshops, from beginner to advanced.
Congratulations Colleen Frakes ’07 and Emma Hunsigner ’20! Knots and How It All Ends are featured in the School Library Journal’s (SLJ) Best Books of 2024 list. The SLJ list of 25 books showcases comics that push storytelling to new heights.
A print copy of our new graphic guide, Art & Courage: A Guide to Sustaining a Creative Path, has been sent to all those on our mailing list as a part of this year’s annual appeal! Look for it arriving at your doorstep very soon!
Please consider donating to CCS today as we embark on celebrating 20 years of educating the world’s best and brightest comics talent.
The second installment of the hilarious and informative children’s graphic novel series ODDBALL HISTORIES by Andy Warner ‘12 is out now! This time, Andy explores SPICES AND SPUDS and our long complicated history with plants.
“A concise overview of a complex and fascinating history presented in a digestible visual medium.”—Kirkus Reviews
“An introduction to plants as crops that entertains as well as it educates. A helpful purchase for covering changes over time and the interdependence of trade and agriculture.”—School Library Journal
Click here to learn more and make an online donation now.
FREE COMICS
ART & COURAGE: A GUIDE TO SUSTAINING A CREATIVE PATH
We hope Art & Courage, will help readers feel a little more prepared for whatever creative journey they embark upon. Click here to read a free digital edition or to order print copies. This 32-page comic is filled with
CARTOONING IN AN ANXIOUS AGE
Cartooning In An Anxious Age (pdf)is a free comic by Cara Bean on the act of drawing, which focuses your attention and intimately connects you with the generative act of creation. It’s an inspiring read.
Let's Talk About It: A Graphic Guide to Mental Health
Using the power of comics to teach teens about the way our government worksThis Is What Democracy Looks Like, A Graphic Guide To Governance is a 32-page comic book created by The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS). This short comic guide helps to bring democracy back to the hands of the people by explaining what democracy actually means and how the whole thing works. This guide will be a great jumping-off point to learn about our government.
THE APPLIED CARTOONING MANIFESTO
Download a free copy of The World is Made of Cheese, The Applied Cartooning Manifesto.