In 2021 we formalized 10+ years of bringing professional cartoonists to Gainesville through our Alachua Artist in Residence Program. This program invited established comics artists to join us in Gainesville, Florida, for six weeks to three months at a time.

The 2021-22 visiting artists created course material for our in-person certificate program students and used the SAW space to work on their latest comics project.

In 2023 we expanded this initiative to a hybrid model through a Teaching Artist Fellowship, inviting applicants remote to Gainesville to apply for teaching and research opportunities in person and online.

2023 saw the creation of two terrific booklets of pedagogy, by Remeina Yee and Adrean Clark. See below for those outcomes.

The Program

The Teaching Fellowship is designed to support professional artists who are concerned with comics pedagogy, the development of educational material, or researching new ways of understanding how comics work.

In 2024-2025 we are initiating a 3-month Group Fellowship. Emerging teachers will join together with veterans Tom Hart and others for bi-weekly discussions and training, and will produce curriculum and outreach strategies at the end of their fellowship.

Fellows receive a $1000 total stipend over the course of 3 months to support their general expenses. In exchange, they are asked to lead 2 events, one within the SAW network, the other in a local forum. These can be in the form of a presentation of their research in progress in a public presentation at the end of the fellowship period and/or teach a workshop focused on their area of study.

Our hope is that through this program, opportunities for quality professional development in comics will continue to grow for established and emerging cartoonists working as educators and researchers. We see this as an opportunity to connect new and experienced practitioners across our networks.

What’s included?

• Mentorship from SAW staff, instructors, and wider professional cartoonist community.

• $1000 stipend for the 3 months.

• Administrative support for the development of workshops (including website hosting, sales processing, marketing, and social media).

• Publication opportunities (in the format of a 12-16 page printed zine with cost of printing covered by SAW or release through our online webcomic portal seesawcomics.org). An example zine, ‘The Creators Guide to Comics Devices’ by 2023 Fellow Reimena Yee, is featured below. It is also available for purchase on the SAW shop and as a full free catalogue at comicsdevices.com.

• Tabling opportunities at SAW table at major alternative comics conventions in the United States (we regularly attend MoCCA, SPX, CAKE, MICE, and Short Run).

In exchange, SAW asks that acknowledgement of support be included in all public material including print and digital publications. Fellows retain rights to their work and SAW will only share with permission of the creator.

Spotlighting 2023 Fellow

Reimena Yee

Spotlighting 2023 fellow

Adrean Clark

Who we’re looking for:

SAW exists in the spirit of DIY. There's still very much a sense of ‘make do’. We hope to work with people who have that ‘get things done’ ethos, the kind of people who don’t mind having to shoo a bee out of the room every once in a while, or resolve their shaky internet connection.

Our students often come to comics through the underground and alternative comics scene of the last decade. They’re reading contemporary artists like Alison Bechdel, Art Spiegelman, Jillian Tamaki… We offer classes that delve into the mechanics of these kinds of stories. Over the last 10 years we’ve hosted guest artists in person and online, including Aidan Koch, Leslie Stein, Carol Tyler, Gabrielle Bell, and John Porcellino, MariNaomi, Laura Gao, Austin Kleon, Jamar Nicholas, Sophie Yanow, and Sam Alden. Our most recent in-person visiting artists included Andi Santagata, Casey Nowak, and Mel Gillman.

We’re looking for people who came to comics for love. Who know there is no fame or glory here. There is only the quiet, joyous moment of a satisfying line.

In concrete terms that means people who have an established career in comics making with a history of publication or self-publishing. Ideally they have worked as an instructor in a formal or informal education setting. There is no degree requirement for this role.

SAW is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in comics spaces. This initiative was developed specifically to support Asian American, Pacific Islander, Black, Indigenous and People of Color, immigrants, 2SLGBTQIA+, people of all ages, people with disabilities, and people experiencing financial hardship.

FAQs

• Is this in person or online? 2024 is online! And wherever YOU are.

• Do I have to be a published cartoonist to apply? We will prioritize people with a proven track record of working in the comics industry—whether that’s as an artist, writer, editor, publisher, educator, or academic—to apply. We’re focused on creating new ways to understand comics and supporting comics education, rather than the development of comics art. If you’re an artist seeking support for the development of a creative work, this isn’t the project for you.

• I currently work in a college setting where I’m already doing research. Can I still apply? Yes! There’s a big gap that exists between the everyday cartoonist or comics reader and academia. We’re very open to building a bridge that connects potentially disparate audiences. In processing applications, priority will be given to educators and researchers who don’t have existing institutional support.

• Does the presentation or workshop have to be with SAW? Yes, at least one of them. We ask for two to encourage connection with local communities. We recommend you look to your local community for possible partners. That can be a bookstore, music shop, local library, school, or other community organization. If you’re unable to find an appropriate partner in person, online workshops work just as well. SAW is able to help you identify who to connect with.

• Can I apply if I live outside of the United States? Applications by artists outside of the US will be considered on a case-by-case basis. We will require publication or circulation of material within the US to be eligible.

• What’s the catch? There is no catch. SAW is a 501(c)3 non-profit. An explicit part of our mission is to support professional artists, creative research, and comics literacy.

• No but really, what’s the catch? There really is no catch. Beyond the description of our mission, our staff and faculty is made up of working cartoonists. We understand that the last 4 years have left a strain on creatives across many industries. We developed this initiative to ideally reduce financial strain and so free up energy to push the boundaries of how we understand comics.

• How do I apply? We’re currently clsoed for our 2024-25 cohort but will open again for our 2025-2026 cohort. Please use the form above to apply. Each cohort will be 4 people plus leadership. We ask that they meet with our executive team at least once a month and create a public presentation or workshop at the end of their Fellowship period. Contact Carly or Tom hello@sequentialartistsworkshop dot org for more information.