The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) offers a two-year course of study that centers on the creation and dissemination of comics, graphic novels and other manifestations of the visual narrative. Experienced and internationally recognized cartoonists, writers, and designers teach classes. CCS programs include a two-year Master of Fine Arts Degree, One- and Two-Year Certificates in Cartooning, and annual summer workshops. The school is located in historic downtown village of White River Junction, Vermont.

Mission

The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) is dedicated to providing the highest quality of education to students interested in creating visual stories. CCS’s curriculum of art, graphic design, and literature reflects the wide array of skills needed to create comics and graphic novels. CCS emphasizes self-publishing and prepares its students to publish, market, and disseminate their work.

CCS, recognizing the central role that socially responsible businesses can play in a community, will initiate and be responsive to innovative ways to improve the local cultural and economic quality of life.

The Center for Cartoon Studies is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt institution. CCS does not discriminate in its admissions policy for reasons of race, religion or ethnic origins.

Highlights

• Master of Fine Arts degree granting approved by the
  Agency of Education, State of Vermont
• Student and faculty featured in Best American Comics
• Alum Tillie Walden Appointed Vermont’s Fifth Cartoonist Laureate
• Melanie Gillman ’12 won the American Library Association Stonewall Award Honor Book for As the Crow Flies
• I Never Promised You A Rose Garden by Mannie Murphy ’08 is on the New York Times list of Best Graphic Novels of 2021. 
• This Is What Democracy Looks Like: A Graphic Guide To Governance is introduced
• Economic Impact exceeds $20 Million to the region
• Established Cartoonist Studio Prize
• Established 3 Artist Fellowship Programs
• Over a dozen Students and Alum win Xeric Grants & Ignatz Awards
• Book packaging with Little, Brown and Company and The Will Eisner Foundation
• Acquisition of master cartoonist Denys Wortman’s artwork

History

CCS’s spiritual leader is none other than the legendary cartoonist and teacher Inky Solomon.

Download the Inky Solomon Story

Membership

The Center for Cartoon Studies is a member of the Vermont Higher Education Council (VHEC) and Association of Vermont Independent Colleges (AVIC).