OPEN CALL FOR ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM Women Power in Comics project – WOMCOM Are you making comics, zines, web comics, manga or illustration? Do you think comics are a good way to explore the power of women and to tell stories about women? Are you dissatisfied with the way women are portrayed in mainstream comics and products of pop culture and specifically in South-Eastern Europe? Would you contribute to changing that image? Would you use comics to challenge patriarchy, gender inequalities and other related forms of social inequality? Would you like to travel and meet like-minded artists? WOMCOM invites you to create short comics during our residency programs, get feedback from mentors, be part of exhibitions, and join a creative regional network. WOMCOM promotes the creation of short comics about any areas of the female experience, in any genres and forms. We are open to fictional and non-fiction comics. The comics will be created during the two-week residencies, will be exhibited, will be published in a printed anthology, and will be also published online on WOMCOM digital platform.   What is WOMCOM? Women Power in Comics (WOM&COM) brings together partners from Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia with the aim to empower female artists and to promote their visibility and representation. In addition to this, the project will call attention to the image of women in comics.   The project lasts for two years (2023-2024) and includes: Two-week residences, imagined as co-working and co-creation spaces bringing together 12 residents each (majority of them women) under the guidance of mentors. WOMCOM offers four residencies with slightly different programs. You will find details of the residencies below. 2023: 24 August – 7 September, Novi Sad, Serbia 2023: 17 September – 1 October, Zánka (at lake Balaton) and Budapest, Hungary

2024: May 29 – June 12., Podgorica, Montenegro

2024: September 8 – 22.,  Zagreb, Croatia

  A traveling exhibition presenting the works created during the residencies. The exhibition will be part of the following festivals: PesText Festival, Budapest; Tinta Festival, Ljubljana; OHOHO Festival of Comics and Street Art, Zagreb; Novi Sad’s Comic Book Weekend in Novi Sad; Stripovanje Festival in Budva, Montenegro. A printed anthology of works created during the residencies, to be published at the end of the two-year WOMCOM program. WOMCOM Digital Platform developed for and with the artists to communicate the project results and to become a referent repository of female comic artists of the participating countries.   WOMCOM offers four residency programs. This call is for our 2023 residencies: we offer two programmes, and you can apply for both. Stay tuned for our next call in order to apply for the residencies in 2024! All residency programs have different profiles, but each will give you the following:

• The company of 12 artists at each residency program, the majority of them women. Our residency programs are open to applicants of all genders who would like to work on WOMCOM’s topics.
• Accommodation
• Subsistence is covered
• Contribution to travel costs up to 200 euros. More expensive tickets would be subject of negotiations and total available budget.
• Mentoring
• Fun

  As a resident, you will be expected

• to work on the comics project of your proposal
• to create minimum 5, maximum 9 pages of comics that will be exhibited
• to exhibit the work you created during the two weeks of the residency
• to send your work to the printed anthology and to the online repository

  Are you interested in a residency? You can apply if

• You create comics, manga, web comics, zines, illustration, graphic design or other visual fields.
• You are over 18 by the start of the chosen residency program - or by the start of the first residency program if you have chosen to apply for more.
• You are a national of the following countries: Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia or you are an EU national living in the listed countries.
• You are comfortable cooperating with others in English.

  Some useful information for you:

• An applicant can apply to multiple residency programmes with a separate letter of motivation.
• You can apply to a residency organized by the country you are the national or resident of, too. That is, Croatians are welcome to apply to the Zagreb residency, etc.

  To apply, fill out the application form (in English). For this process, it would be good that you prepare in advance the following:

• 3-10 images you have created OR link to your website OR social media account(s)
• A short bio (max. 1500 characters).
• A motivation letter. Write about your artistic aims and how you think this project can help you. In the case you are applying for both residencies, please provide motivation for both of them (max. 1500 characters).

  You can apply for the 2nd term via our website: https://form.typeform.com/to/dVPI1t7g Deadline 7 April 2024 You will get notified about the result of the application by April 15 2024 (midnight). »»»» ««««« You can apply for the 1st term via our website: https://form.typeform.com/to/dVPI1t7g Deadline 31 May 2023 You will get notified about the result of the application by 20 June 2023 (midnight).   You can learn more about the project here: https://womcom.io/about/ The project is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Commission.     And now let us show you what each residency offers: Residency in Novi Sad, Serbia 2023 August 24 – September 7, Novi Sad, Serbia Residency in Novi Sad will be mentored by Jana Adamović Kordej and Dragana Garic Jovičić. Jana Adamović Yana is a Serbian comic book author and illustrator. She publishes her comics all over Europe and in the USA. She exhibited at numerous exhibitions, and she is also the author of the group exhibition “Ona se budi / BD Egalite” ("She Wakes / Comics Equality") promoting visibility of women comic creators. With various initiatives, but also with her works, talent and authentic style, Yana breaks down barriers and advocates for the promotion and empowerment of female comic artists and illustrators in our country. She is the winner of several awards for comics. In 2019 she was granted the title of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the Republic of France. Dragana Garić Jovičić is a curator and art historian. Graduated from the Department of Art History of the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade on the thesis entitled „Fashion and emancipation in the female visual culture of Serbia and Vojvodina at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century“ for which she received the Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection Award for the best work at the Department in the academic year 2006/2007.  She worked as a journalist and art history professor. Since 2012, she has been employed at the Museum of Vojvodina as a curator and art historian. She published over 100 articles and curated numerous exhibitions.   After the selection of artists, moderators will define the methodology of residency according to the needs and the profile of artists. The exhibition of the residents’ works will be open on September 7th, 2023 in the SKCNS Fabrika venue and will be the opening event of the International WOM COM Conference, which is part of the 17th Novi Sad Comic Book Weekend.   You are all welcome and we are very excited to start working with you on this interesting project in a city with a great comic tradition with many authors and publishers and comic events. We are happy to offer you to become a part of our rich comic scene.   Residency in Budapest and Balaton, Hungary 2023 September 17 – October 1, Zánka (at lake Balaton) and Budapest, Hungary Our residency offers a program for comic artists who enjoy creating away from the city, who would enjoy meeting local artists, and who are curious about connecting dance and movement with creation. The residents will work on their comics individually and will connect at regular sessions. They will also have a chance to meet members of the Hungarian comics and zine scene. The 12 residents will share their time between Zánka, a town by Hungary’s biggest lake, Balaton, and Budapest. They will have the possibility to visit the comics related programme of PesText festival in Budapest.   The mentors of the program are Márton Hegedűs and Eszter Szép. Márton Hegedűs is a comic book artist, graphic designer and animation film director based in Budapest, Hungary. He has worked as an illustrator and designer of leading magazines, children’s books and textbooks. Besides his own animated short films, he makes applied animations for television and theatre. He has made several comic strip series for printed and online media. His graphic novel Slussz Kulcs Klán (Car Key Clan) published in 2012 was awarded Graphic Novel of the Year. He worked as a coordinator/moderator and jury member in animation and comic art competitions. He regularly teaches courses on creating comics, wherein he aims to combine professional knowledge with a focus on the creativity and individuality of the students. https://martonhegedus53.wixsite.com/hegedusmarton https://martonhegedus53.wixsite.com/kepregeny   Eszter Szép works for the promotion and advancement of comics in various roles. She teaches comics, visual culture studies, and creative writing at Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, Budapest and at Milestone Institute of Advanced Studies, Budapest. She is super proud of her students. She has edited two publications of her students’ comics (Igaz volt egyáltalán?, 2022; It Used To Be Easy, 2022). She is the director of the International Comics Festival Budapest and she is usually organizing the next event, be it an exhibition or a discussion. She has been a judge of the Mahmoud Kahil Arab Comics Award in 2023 and is the yearly judge of the Hungarian comics awards for almost a decade now. She often writes about comics for international and Hungarian websites and is the author of Comics and the Body: Drawing, Reading, and Vulnerability (Ohio State University Press, 2020). Further info at eszterszep.com and on Instagram @szep__eszter .   The occasional dance/movement sessions will be held by Márta Ladjánszki, contemporary dance artist. Further info at www.martaatwork.com No training or qualifications in dance are required! We will use movement and music to generate creative ideas. The exhibition of the residents’ works will open on 30 September at the extraordinary venue of Bakelit Multi Art Center. We cannot wait to work with you!  

AiR in Podgorica, Montenegro May 29 to June 12, 2024

AiR MENTORS Dragana Radanović, a Serbian comic book author and illustrator, has showcased her artwork in exhibitions across Serbia, Belgium, and France. She has a keen interest in literature exploring challenging themes, unconventional illustrated books, and graphic narratives depicting marginalized experiences worldwide. Currently serving as an assistant teacher at the LUCA School of Art in Brussels, Dragana aids students in crafting their graphic novels. Alongside her artistic pursuits, she is undertaking a doctorate, delving into the portrayal of childhood in comics and the transformative potential of comics-making as a cognitive process. Supported by the esteemed Research Foundation – Flanders, her comic research endeavors are on the cutting edge of scholarly inquiry. Committed to amplifying the visibility of emerging comic authors, Dragana co-founded “Comic-Aunties” (Stripotetke), an organization dedicated to championing women and young authors in the comic industry. Darija Begić, hailing from Montenegro, is a versatile graphic designer and illustrator. In her graphic design practice, she revels in pushing the boundaries of visual identity creation for diverse products and brands. Specializing in logo design, typography, and book design, Darija enjoys experimenting with an array of styles, approaches, and printing techniques. Over a decade of honing her craft has culminated in the establishment of her own design studio, granting her the freedom to pursue her creative passions unencumbered by conventional constraints. As an illustrator, Darija delves into the realm of emotions, thoughts, and the human psyche, seeking to unearth the subconscious elements of existence. Proficient in both traditional and digital mediums, she seamlessly transitions between the two depending on the context and her creative impulse. Her work often explores themes such as animal rights, human rights, scientific inquiry, and literary inspiration, reflecting her diverse interests and sources of inspiration. WHAT TO EXPECT IN MONTENEGRO AiR The WOMCOM AiR program in Croatia offers a dynamic platform for comic artists eager to explore and expand the boundaries of their craft. Departing from the solitary approach often associated with comic creation, the program prioritizes collaborative opportunities that foster idea-sharing and innovation among residents. The aim is to demonstrate that a single creative solution can manifest in myriad forms. Through a blend of collective and individual work, residents augment their artistic practices by drawing insights from diverse deconstruction and reconstruction movements. Embracing creative constraints serves as a catalyst for deeper comprehension of comic grammar, thereby catalyzing innovation and enhancing individual artistic expression. In recognition of the digital age, the program delves into the evolving landscape of comics within the digital realm. Artists are encouraged to leverage the unique possibilities afforded by digital communication tools to connect with audiences, share ideas, and explore new avenues for creative expression. With limitless potential, the program embarks on a journey to explore the myriad forms and possibilities that digital comics offer. Following the selection process, moderators tailor the residency methodology to accommodate the specific needs and profiles of the participating artists, ensuring a dynamic and enriching experience for all involved. The artists and the WOMCOM project will be hosted by the National Library “Radosav Ljumović” and its Stripoteka – part of the library specialised in comics. Click HERE for more details. The exhibition of the residents’ works will be open on June 11, 2024, in the Cultural and Information Centre “Budo Tomović” (popularly KIC) in Podgorica. Click HERE for details. The accommodation will be provided in double rooms in the Hotel Ambasador in downtown Podgorica, near the park and at the river bank of Morača.

AiR in Zagreb, Croatia September 8 to 22, 2024

AiR MENTORS Marko Dješka is a Croatian comic artist, illustrator, and animation film director. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb, specializing in the animation department. Marko’s creative portfolio includes four short films that have achieved notable success at numerous festivals. His recent animated film, “All Those Sensations in my Belly,” has garnered 25 awards and commendations and has been featured in over 200 festivals worldwide, spanning countries such as France, Russia, the USA, Mexico, and Japan. As the co-founder of the Adriatic Animation Studio in Zagreb, Marko plays a pivotal role in the production of animated content. Additionally, he serves as one of the organizers of the OHOHO Festival of Comics and Street Art since 2019. Marko’s influence extends to the international stage, with his short comics published in esteemed magazines worldwide, including Heavy Metal (USA) and various fanzines such as Freakshow Comix and Gorgonzola (France), Aargh! (Czech Republic), and Komikaze and Endem (Croatia). He also serves as the editor of two comic magazines, OHOHOzin and Strip-Prefiks. Helena Janečić pursued her passion for visual arts by studying painting at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, where she obtained her BA, and later at the Art Academy in Zagreb, where she earned her MA. Her artistic journey began during high school, where she began drawing comics for the school newspaper. While painting dominated her university studies, Helena always found herself drawn back to comics. Her work transcends various media and delves into contemporary queer discourse, with a focus on empowering female protagonists and exploring themes of confidence, self-awareness, and reimagined tradition. From large-scale paintings to graphic, comic-book-inspired drawings, Helena’s art probes into the representation of lesbian sexuality in visual media. Notably, her comic series featuring the superhero Horny Dyke challenges societal norms, while her paintings capture everyday moments, such as in the series “Country Girls,” which depicts the lives of two Slavonian women. Through her series “City Gals,” Helena continues to delve into the queer identity across different historical periods. Currently based in Zagreb, Croatia, Helena works as a freelance painter and comic book author, enriching the artistic landscape with her diverse and thought-provoking creations. WHAT TO EXPECT IN CROATIA AiR The final WOMCOM residency will be held at Medika – Social Cultural Centre, home to the Autonomous Cultural Centre Attack. For many years, this venue has been a cornerstone of Zagreb’s alternative scene, hosting a plethora of cultural events such as festivals, music performances, exhibitions, cinema screenings, residencies, workshops, and more. Among its notable events is the OHOHO festival of comics and street art, scheduled from September 19 to 22, 2024, marking the culmination of the WOMCOM AiR program. The OHOHO festival has a focus on small publishers and alternative publications, showcasing various do-it-yourself (DIY) posters and illustrations. The event features drawing and mural activities, comics workshops, promotions of independent comics publications and festivals, presentations by authors and publishers from abroad, DIY markets, exhibitions, and much more. As the workshop’s theme centers around webcomics, each participant will create their own short comic with guidance from mentors Helena Janečić and Marko Dješka, tailored for digital platforms such as Instagram, where webcomics enjoy immense popularity today. Participants will receive instructions on adapting their comic pages to suit the webcomic format, both narratively and technically. The festival will also host successful webcomic authors, offering masterclasses or lectures on their work. Additionally, WOMCOM participants will have the opportunity to visit art studios in Zagreb specializing in screenprints, posters, and illustrations created using the DIY technique. Throughout the residency program, participants will engage with a vibrant and diverse creative community, interact with various artists who call Medika their home, and work within a site-specific environment, fostering a truly immersive experience.

Application Details

Each residency program has its own unique focus, yet all provide the following benefits: – Mentoring by acknowledged professionals from the comic industry. – Collaboration with a diverse group of twelve artists per residency, with a majority representation of women. – Opportunity for one artist per country from all AiRs to visit Angouleme and receive support for showcasing their work at the renowned international comic festival. – Inclusion in the WOMCOM Anthology and publication on the WOMCOM Digital Platform. – Accommodation, per diem, and contribution to travel costs. – Enjoyment and camaraderie throughout the residency experience. As a resident, you are expected to: – Focus on your proposed comics project. – Create a minimum of five and a maximum of nine pages of comics for exhibition. – Exhibit the work created during the two-week residency. – Send your work to the printed anthology and online repository. Interested in a residency? You are eligible to apply if you: – Create comics, manga, webcomics, zines, illustration, graphic design, or other visual art forms. – Are over 18 years old at the start of the chosen residency program. – Are a national of Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, or an EU national residing in these countries. – Are comfortable collaborating with others in English. Some additional information: – Applicants can apply to multiple residency programs with separate letters of motivation. – Each participant can take part in a maximum of two residencies out of the four offered during the project. – Nationals or residents of a country hosting a residency are welcome to apply for that specific residency. To apply, complete the application form. Prepare the following materials in advance: – 3-10 images of your work and/or links to your website or social media accounts. – A short bio (maximum 1500 characters). – A motivation letter detailing your artistic aims and how this project can benefit you. The deadline for applications is April 7, 2024. Notification of application results will be sent by April 15, 2024 (midnight). You can learn more about the project here: https://womcom.io/about/ Women Power in Comics (WOMCOM) is a collaborative initiative involving organisations in six Balkan countries: Students’ Cultural Center Novi Sad in Novi Sad, Serbia, as lead partner; Bakelit Multi Art Center in Budapest, Hungary; Kino Šiška in Ljubljana, Slovenia; PostScriptum in Athens, Greece; Autonomous Cultural Center Attack in Zagreb, Croatia, along with the Association for Comic Affirmation in Budva, Montenegro, as an associate partner. This two-year programme (2023-2024) aims to foster collaboration and engagement among comic artists with the goal of investigating and addressing gender issues in comics as well as empowering female comic artists through residencies, exhibitions, and conferences. Women Power in Comics is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Commission.