Pop Up Projects, the not-for-profit children’s literature agency, and charity House of Illustration, the UK’s only public gallery dedicated solely to illustration and graphic art, have today announced a new venture, ‘Pathways into Children’s Publishing’ – an ambitious, industry-focused talent development programme for diverse aspiring illustrators from under-represented — particularly ethnic minority and disadvantaged — backgrounds.
And we are very proud to be a part of the new programme as one of Pathways’ affiliate publishers.
The Pathways’ project will offer a packed learning programme, designed and tutored by world-class children’s illustrators, university illustration tutors, and children’s publishing editors and art directors, and will include residentials, masterclasses, short courses, one-to-one mentoring with illustrators and editors, publisher placements and opportunities to learn education and events practice.
Nosy Crow’s managing director, Kate Wilson, said: “We are committed to principles of inclusivity and representation, and we have been struck by the scarcity of BAME and working class children’s authors and illustrators in the UK. It is clear that an initiative like Pathways could make significant progress in addressing this; by teaching a new generation the knowledge and skills necessary to develop long-term careers as authors and illustrators, and/or to enter the publishing workforce. This should be recognised as a commercial imperative as much as it is a socially responsible one: in order for children’s publishing to continue to flourish, we need to access and appeal to readers from every part of society.”
You can find out more about the project here. Applications for Pathways from talented illustrators will open on Friday 10 May. Those who want to find out more are encouraged to contact [email protected] to register their interest. House of Illustration will also host an ‘open day’ for anyone wanting to drop in and find out face-to-face what’s involved, from 10am to 4pm on Friday 14 June at 2 Granary Square, King’s Cross, London N1C 4BH.
