Ezra Jack Keats Showcase Prize
The Ezra Jack Keats Showcase Prize supports emerging BIPOC children's book illustrators with a $3,500 award for artistic and professional development.
Funder: Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Due Dates: June 1, 2026 (Submissions open) | June 30, 2026 (Submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: $3,500 cash prize, one award annually
Summary: Annual award supporting the professional artistic development of a promising BIPOC illustrator in children's book illustration.
Key Information: Open only to SCBWI members who identify as BIPOC and have not been traditionally published.
Description
The Ezra Jack Keats Showcase Prize is an annual award presented by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) to honor the legacy of the acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats. The prize awards $3,500 to a promising illustrator who identifies as Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color (BIPOC) and is intended to support their professional artistic development in the field of children’s book illustration. The funds may be used for expenses such as art supplies, equipment, research, learning opportunities, travel, creative sabbaticals, or child care, with the goal of enabling the recipient to further develop or improve their artistic work.
