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Western New York Comic Arts is excited to announce two publication opportunities for comics artists in Western New York: a Minicomics Grant and the RICE 2027 Comics Anthology. These projects will be printed by Rathaus Press in Rochester, NY, and they will be released at the Rochester Independent Comics Expo on April 10, 2027.
In order to be considered for a RICE 2027 Publication Grant, artists must be based in Western New York, and they should apply to exhibit at the Rochester Indie Comics Expo. RICE 2027 will take place on Saturday, April 10, 11am - 4pm at Sibley Square (240 East Main St., Rochester, NY 14604).
Artist are welcome to apply to both grants.
What do we consider "Western New York"?
As a Rochester-based organization, we consider "Western New York" to encompass the western half of New York state - that is, the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse metro areas, the Finger Lakes, and extending down to the Southern Tier. We will consider applications from the residents of the following counties: Allegany, Cattaragus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Cortland, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Onandaga, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates.
Minicomics Grant:
Minicomics Grant:
Up to 4 artists will be awarded with Minicomics Grants. These grants will pay for the production and printing of a minicomic at Rathaus Press. Selected artists will have their minicomic published in an edition of at least 150 copies and each minicomics grantee will receive an award of $500. Minicomics can be up to 16 pages total length in one color.
2027 RICE Minicomics will be distributed for free at the Rochester Indie Comics Expo, and each grantee will be a featured artist at RICE and receive a complimentary exhibitor’s table at RICE on April 10, 2027. Mincomics grantees will also be invited to participate in the RICE Slideshow on April 9, 2027.
Grantees must submit their finished minicomics by February 1, 2026 and will have the opportunity to attend a printing & binding workshop at Rathaus Press (date TBD).
Applicants should submit examples of their previous work, as well as a short description (100-400 words) or draft of their proposed minicomic. We prioritize new, previously unpublished works.
Applications are open until 11:59PM November 7, 2026. We will notify Minicomics Grant winners by early December 2026.
RICE Comics Anthology
RICE Comics Anthology
WNY Comic Arts is excited to publish a second anthology of comics art from Western New York artists in 2027! Selected artists will be able to include a 1-3 page comic in the anthology, printed in one color. The anthology will be printed by Rathaus Press, and It will be distributed for free at the Rochester Indie Comics Expo on April 10, 2027. Each anthology grantee will also receive an award of $100.
Comics anthology grantees will receive a complimentary exhibitors table at RICE on April 10, 2027. Grantees must submit their finished minicomics by January 18, 2027.
Applicants should submit examples of their previous work, as well as a short description (50-200 words) or draft of their proposed 1-2 page comic. We prioritize new, previously unpublished works.
Applications are open until 11:59PM November 7, 2026. We will notify Anthology winners by early December 2026
Check out our past winners!
Check out our past winners!
Funding for the 2027 round of publication grants is provided by the City of Rochester through the ArtsBloom grant, a program of the City’s Percent for Art initiative.
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