Zankel Scholar Guidelines - Society of Illustrators

Details and guidelines for the 2024 Zankel Scholar Call for Entries are available below.

The Society of Illustrators is pleased to invite Department Chairs or Administrators for Undergraduate Programs to nominate a JUNIOR level student or students to be considered for the selection as the 2024 ZANKEL SCHOLAR. This is the eighteenth year the Society of Illustrators is proudly presenting this annual educational opportunity. It is named in honor of Arthur Zankel whose generous bequest has made this possible.

Mr. Zankel was a firm advocate for higher education. It is the Society’s honor to seek in his name the best of the JUNIOR class and to financially assist with supporting his/ her/ their SENIOR year. The winner of this award will receive $10,000 towards his/ her/ their senior year tuition.

You are encouraged to consider only your best JUNIOR level student(s). No Freshmen, Sophomores, or Seniors. This is an award of merit, so please only consider your BEST student(s). The process requires art, writing and, if chosen to be a finalist, a personal interview. Your nominee must be strong in ALL areas. No Masters candidates, please. This competition is only open to students currently enrolled in a program in the United States.

View an archive of past Zankel Scholar Winners >

SUBMISSIONS OPEN: APRIL 10, 2024

DEADLINE FOR INSTRUCTORS TO NOTIFY SI:
April 29, 2024

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS:
May 10, 2024

FINALIST INTERVIEWS: June 25, 2024

AWARD:
The 2024 ZANKEL SCHOLAR will receive a $10,000 grant towards tuition.
The two semi-finalists will each receive a $1,000 cash award.

THE ZANKEL SCHOLAR program is under the supervision of:
Judy Francis Zankel, Past President
Arabelle Liepold, Executive Director

2024 Jury: Coming Soon!

Please Contact:
Jordan Lisicky, Program Coordinator for Annual Exhibitions,
should you have any questions:
jordan@societyillustrators.org

How to Enter:

How to Enter:

– This competition is only open to students enrolled in a US institution. A.I. Generated art is NOT ELIGIBLE for this competition.

– Teachers must email the Society with their list of candidates prior to the students sending portfolios. A maximum of five candidates allowed per school. Please include student’s email addresses when notifying SI.

– Once teachers send the list of candidates to SI, the Society will contact the student as an introduction.

– Students will email the Society their portfolios and the written statement, both required for consideration. Students will be creating only ONE portfolio. The title of the portfolio should be their name only.

Portfolio Guidelines:

– A minimum of 10 images and a maximum of 12 images per portfolio are required.

– Portfolio files should be 144 – 300 dpi, 10 inches on the longest side, RGB, jpeg.

– The Portfolio should be saved as a compressed folder or as a single pdf.

– Original content preferred. Unfortunately fanart is not eligible due to copyright and intellectual property concerns.

Statement Guidelines:

– The statement, by the student, should exemplify their passion for illustration and outline their career goals as an illustrator.

– Statements can be saved as a Word file, jpeg, pdf, and labeled “Student Name.Statement”.

– Statements should not exceed one page. It does not need to be addressed to anyone in particular and should be standard paragraph essay format.

Final Round Instructions:

– After reviewing all of the nominees, the jury will choose 3 finalists.

– The Society will contact the finalists and request additional materials such as sketchbooks, animations, resumes, commissioned work, sculptures, murals, etc. – anything the student feels will benefit their portfolios.

– The Society will schedule an interview and portfolio presentation for each finalist with the jury. All interviews and portfolio presentations will be held virtually over Zoom. Students must be able to attend their virtual interview to be eligible for the award!

– Once all finalists have had their virtual interviews and portfolio reviews, the jury will discuss and the 2024 ZANKEL SCHOLAR will be chosen the same day.