The Comics Cultural Impact Collective has just launched its Comic Art & Zine Fair Organiser’s Checklist (PDF link), a new initiative from CCIC co-Director Zara Slattery.
Zara has curated a simple booklet that gives organisers a checklist covering the various aspects that make an event more accessible to all – and not before time, after some of the horror stories we’ve read online about issues faced from both creators and fans at some comic events.
“The idea is to invite organisers to think about access,” says Zara, a disabled graphic novelist herself, “and to start a conversation on inclusivity.
“I made this checklist so that it’s all in one place, and everyone can clearly understand what accessibility really means.”
With more than one in five of the population living with a disability, accessibility is vitally important. Without it, events would be losing out on creatives and a huge potential audience.
By including this information in all their communications, organisers will help build awareness of what’s possible, both for an inclusive event and for a more inclusive society.
The Comics Cultural Impact Collective’s eventual plan is to create a digital version, which would allow organisers to tick the boxes for their own venue and then display an infographic on their website. If you have ideas for funders or partners to make the digital version a reality, drop them a line!
The Comics Cultural Impact Collective – who are running a workshop at Thought Bubble Festival this weekend, titled Arts Council England & Comics Cultural Impact Collective talk Comics Funding on Saturday, are an independent group of professionals within the UK comics community, working together with the aim of raising awareness of the cultural impact of comics.
“We’re here to prove the importance of this beloved and accessible medium, gathering cold hard stats and irrefutable facts to help make the case for better funding, support and recognition.
“We warmly welcome partners – both individuals and organisations – from all areas of the comics industry and from adjacent fields (literature, arts, education, academia etc) whose ideals align with our own.”
• Check out the Comics Cultural Impact Collective at thecomicsculturalimpactcollective.org
• Download the Comic Art & Zine Fair Organiser’s Checklist (PDF Link)
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Other Worlds
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