About the ACA
Being a member of the Australian Cartoonists' Association keeps you connected with other cartoonists and, just as important, with what's going on in artist circles in Australia and beyond. ACA members include Australia's best cartoonists, caricaturists, illustrators, comic book artists, animators and illustrators who work for newspapers, magazines, and production houses. Attention is focused on matters such as syndicated cartoons from overseas and issues of copyright, public education and promotion to newspaper and magazine editors and publishers. ACA's membership stands at over 200 nationwide. Formed in 1924 it is the world's oldest professional cartoonist organisation.
What Does ACA Stand For?
ACA was known for many years as the Australian Black and White Artists' Club. Our first objective is to "improve the standing of ‘black and white' artists in Australia and to stimulate public interest in ‘black and white' art." The second objective is "to promote competitions and/or awards with the object of improving the standards of ‘black and white' art."
What Does ACA Do?
The Stanley Awards ACA activities culminate in the Australian Cartoonists' Awards - known as "The Stanleys" (after famous cartoonist Stan Cross). A Stanley Award is recognition by one's peers for excellence in Black and White art. Categories include; comic strip, caricature, editorial, humouous illustration, single gag and general illustration. The Jim Russell Award recognises contribution to black and white art, while the Gold Stanley, for Artist of The Year, is also presented. The statuette is modelled on the cartoon, "For gorsake, stop laughing - this is serious!" by Stan Cross in 1933 and described as the most famous Australian cartoon ever drawn. The Stanley Awards night is the one night of the year when artists from all over the country get together to acknowledge, and to be acknowledged for, their previous year's work. Special Stanleys guests have included; former Prime Ministers Bob Hawke, Paul Keating, John Howard; television identities Ray Martin, Elle McFeast, Daryl Somers; noted international cartoonists Paul Rigby, Pat Oliphant, John Jensen and Chuck Jones from Warner Bros. cartoons fame.
National Cartoon Conference
Held in conjunction with the Stanley Awards, the National Cartoon Conference is an opportunity for cartoonists to meet and discuss relevant issues regarding their professional. Each year special guest speakers deal with issues such as the internet, copyright, tax reform, techniques and other cartoonists' work.
The ACA Year Book
Each year all financial full members are invited to submit their work (published during the previous financial year) for the Stanleys Year Book. This is a compilation, divided into categories, of the work of members which is in turn voted on the the full membership. Members receive the Year Book around September, and the votes cast determine the recipients of the Stanley Awards. Apart from becoming a permanent record, the Year Book is also used as a promotional tool for editors and publishers to view.
Competitions
ACA has a close relationship with the Bunker Cartoon Gallery in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Run by the Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour, the Bunker Cartoon Gallery is Australia's only cartoon museum with a very impressive collection dating back to the turn of the century. The Bunker Cartoon Gallery is also the venue for the Rotary Club's National Cartoon Awards held once a year with cash prizes. Other competitions include the Bald Archy Awards conducted by the Coolac Festival of Fun, The Australian's Bill Mitchell Memorial Art Award specifically for young aspiring political cartoonists and The National Museum of Australia's Bringing The House Down, an exhibition held annually in Canberra for professional editorial cartoonists. The ACA is also a member of the Federation of European Cartoonists' Organisations (FECO). Through this, members are informed of cartoon competitions around the world. ACA also has a close relationship with the National Cartoonists' Society in the USA and the Cartoonist Club of Great Britain plus many groups affiliated with FECO.
Inkspot
Inkspot is the official communication vehicles for the Club, and is sent to all members on a regular basis. It is the voice of the ACA to members, the public, media and other arts organisations.
ACA Website
The Australian Cartoonists' Association website is a comprehensive compilation of information for cartoonists, illustrators and the public. The site also has a forum just for members where ideas, news and views can be shared online - check out the website at www.cartoonists.org.au.
Social Events
Each State Chapter of ACA organises its own social events and meetings through its State Vice-President. Generally these occur every two months but some Chapters may opt for more frequent meetings. On special occasions a traditional event, Smock Night, is arranged in honour of a long standing member of the cartoonist community who is presented with an artist's smock signed by as many cartoonists as possible. Exhibition openings, book launches and other occasions fill out quite a varied and busy social calendar.
The ACA Board
The National Committee of ACA comprises a healthy mix of experience and "new blood" - a crosssection of newspaper artists, magazine contributors and freelancers. The meetings are chaired by the President and each State has its own State Vice-President who administers the affairs of that State.
Patron - Vane Lindesay
President - Jules Faber
Deputy President - Jason Chatfield
Secretary (Honorary)- Kerry Anne Brown
Treasurer - Grant Brown
NSW VP - Steve Panozzo
Vic/Tas VP - Rolf Heimann
QLD VP - Gary Clark
WA VP - Mick Horne
SA/NT VP - Simon Kneebone
Membership Secretary - Peter Broelman
How do I join ACA?
Membership is divided into two categories - full and associate. A full member is a cartoonist or illustrator who earns all or a substantial part of their income from producing published ‘black and white' art. In other words he/she has established themselves as a professional artist. Anyone can join ACA as an associate member subject to approval by the Committee. Associate members usually have a healthy interest in ‘black and white' art, but do not work as professional and published artists. Associate members receive the ACA newsletter and attend meetings but cannot vote at the AGM nor enter the Stanley Awards. Contact membership@cartoonists.org.au for more details.
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