Organizing Your Own Cartoon Exhibition

“The first time I organized a cartoon exhibition, I didn’t have a budget, a sponsor, or even enough frames. But I had something stronger: a message to share and a group of artists willing to speak through their drawings. That’s how it began.”

— Arifur Rahman, cartoonist and founder of Toons Mag and Cartoonist Network

Why Exhibit Cartoons?

Cartoons aren’t just for the back pages of newspapers or social media timelines. When displayed thoughtfully in a gallery, library, school, or online space, cartoons become artifacts of public dialogue, dissent, and creativity. A cartoon exhibition can:

• 💬 Spark political or social discussions

• ✊ Advocate for rights, justice, or freedom of expression

• 🎨 Showcase artistic talent from local or global cartoonists

• 📚 Educate communities on complex issues through visual storytelling

I've organized cartoon exhibitions in Norway, Bangladesh, Sweden, India, Slovakia, and online, with artists from over 100 countries. Each one taught me something new—not just about curation, but about collaboration, logistics, and the transformative power of humor and ink.

In this guide, I’ll walk you step-by-step through how to organize your own cartoon exhibition—from concept to execution.

Step 1: Define the Purpose of Your Exhibition 

Before you book a venue or call your cartoonist friends, clarify:

• What’s the main goal?
  ☐ Awareness?
  ☐ Celebration of talent?
  ☐ Education?
  ☐ Protest?

• Who is your target audience?
  ☐ Students?
  ☐ General public?
  ☐ Policy-makers?
  ☐ Fellow artists?

• What kind of tone will it have?
  ☐ Satirical and bold?
  ☐ Reflective and personal?
  ☐ Family-friendly and humorous?

🎯 Example: When I curated the Toons Mag International Cartoon Exhibition on Women's Rights, our goal was to advocate for gender equality across cultures through satire, irony, and empathy.

Step 2: Choose a Format (Physical, Virtual, or Hybrid) 

Each exhibition format has unique strengths:

Format	Pros	Challenges
Physical	Stronger emotional impact; community engagement	Printing, framing, venue cost
Virtual	Global reach; easy sharing; low cost	Less immersive; tech setup
Hybrid	Best of both worlds	Requires more coordination

💡 Tip: If your budget is limited, start with a virtual exhibition using tools like Google Slides, ArtSteps, or even a dedicated page on ToonsMag.com.

Step 3: Find a Theme That Resonates 

A good theme is clear, urgent, and visual. It gives your exhibition direction and helps artists respond with powerful work.

Great Themes for Cartoon Exhibitions:

• Freedom of Expression

• Climate Change

• Children’s Rights

• The Refugee Crisis

• Satire in Politics

• Life After Pandemic

• The Future of AI and Humanity

🖋️ Pro Tip: Keep the theme broad enough to inspire variety, but focused enough to create a cohesive exhibition.

Step 4: Build a Team or Go Solo

You can organize a cartoon exhibition alone—but it’s more enjoyable (and sustainable) with help.

Roles to consider:

• Curator (you, most likely)

• Artist coordinator

• Venue or gallery liaison

• Graphic designer

• Social media/promotions lead

• Photographer/documentarian

🎯 Don’t be afraid to ask fellow cartoonists, students, or volunteers to join your effort. Collaborating builds long-term networks.

Step 5: Invite Cartoonists to Submit Work 

Create an open call for submissions with clear guidelines:

• Theme and message

• Deadline

• File type and resolution (e.g., JPG or PNG, 300 dpi)

• Size ratio (portrait/landscape/square)

• Language (if captions are included)

• Copyright policy

• Contact information

📩 Send your open call to:

• CartoonistNetwork.com

• Social media groups and art forums

• Toons Mag mailing list

• Art schools and cartoon communities

✍️ Tip: Ask for a short artist bio and the title of each cartoon.

Step 6: Select a Venue or Platform 

For Physical Exhibitions:

• Local libraries or community centers (often free)

• Schools, universities, or art colleges

• Cultural centers or embassies

• Cafés, coworking spaces, bookshops

🎨 Make sure the space:

• Has good lighting

• Can hang framed or mounted prints

• Offers public access

For Virtual Exhibitions:

• Toons Mag (submit directly)

• ArtSteps.com (free 3D virtual gallery builder)

• Google Sites, Wix, or WordPress

• Instagram as a “carousel exhibition”

Step 7: Curate, Print, and Frame 

Curating means choosing the right number and flow of cartoons.

Consider:

• Visual diversity: Mix styles, formats, and voices

• Story flow: Arrange cartoons to build emotion or thought

• Layout: Create breathing space; avoid overcrowding

🖼️ For printing:

• Use high-quality photo paper

• Print A3 or larger (depending on venue space)

• Mount on foam board or frame with clips or wooden borders

Step 8: Promote the Event 

Start promoting 2–3 weeks before the opening.

Create:

• Social media graphics (with artist names and cartoons)

• Event page (Facebook, Eventbrite, or personal site)

• Press release for local media

• Flyers and posters for the community

📣 Use hashtags, cross-promote with artists, and tag organizations working on related themes.

🎤 Invite speakers, cartoonists, or even musicians for the opening.

Step 9: Host the Opening (And Engage the Public) 

Make your opening event memorable and meaningful:

• Welcome guests with an opening talk

• Allow artists (local or via video) to share their work

• Encourage dialogue and audience Q&A

• Offer a guided walk-through of key cartoons

• Provide a guestbook or “comment wall”

💬 I often include a “Draw Your Own Cartoon” station for visitors—it turns viewers into participants.

Step 10: Document, Thank, and Reflect 

After the exhibition:

• 📷 Share photos and videos on your blog and social media

• 📝 Send thank-you notes to contributors, sponsors, and supporters

• 📚 Create a digital or printed catalogue if possible

• 💬 Ask for visitor feedback and learn what worked

• 🎯 Plan your next exhibition while momentum is strong

FAQs About Organizing Exhibitions 

Q1: Do I need to be a professional curator to organize an exhibition?
No. Passion, vision, and organization are more important than titles.

Q2: Can I include my own cartoons?
Yes! Many organizers include their work. Just curate with the same standards.

Q3: How many cartoons should I display?
Depends on space. 20–30 works is a strong, manageable number for small exhibitions.

Q4: Can I charge entry or sell prints?
Yes, but make sure to communicate terms clearly with participating artists.

Q5: Is permission needed to exhibit others’ cartoons?
Always get consent. Use a simple submission agreement that confirms usage rights for the exhibition.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps 

Organizing a cartoon exhibition is an act of creative leadership. You’re not just showing drawings—you’re creating a space for dialogue, laughter, outrage, and inspiration.

And you don’t need a big budget, gallery experience, or famous names to begin. You just need a theme, a team (or your own willpower), and the belief that cartoons deserve to be seen—not just scrolled.

🎨 So why not start today?

✅ Your Next Steps:

• Pick a theme that speaks to your heart

• Invite fellow cartoonists via CartoonistNetwork.com

• Find a local venue—or go virtual

• And begin curating your own cartoon exhibition!