2023 CUPCAKE AWARD APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

Thanks again to all of our exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees for making CAKE 2023 a success! As we begin planning for next year’s CAKE, we are now accepting applications for the EIGHTH ANNUAL CUPCAKE AWARD!

The Cupcake Award is a juried prize that supports the publication of a new minicomic by an emerging artist whose work is primarily self-published. This year we’ll be giving out two Cupcake Awards! The winners of the award will receive $250 to print a new minicomic, a free half table at next year’s CAKE (where their minicomics will debut), and the mentor support of one of our two special guest judges, Kat Fajardo and Zachary Clemente. In addition, CAKE will promote the winning artists and their minicomics leading up to next year’s show.

The deadline for the application is November 1, 2023. Please visit our Cupcake Award page for instructions about how to apply, as well as eligibility guidelines and answers to frequently asked questions.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at cupcake@cakechicago.com. We look forward to receiving some really wonderful applications, and we’ll see you at next year’s CAKE!