The International Society of Caricaturist Artists is an international non-profit trade association. Its purpose is to promote the art of caricature, educate the public and the media about the art of caricature and to provide its members with helpful information about caricature as an as art-form as well as a profession. ISCA currently has over 450 members from around the world, and is growing every month. Members receive our quarterly magazine, exaggerated features, which has articles about caricaturing, featured artists tips and stories as well as other useful information about caricature illustration. ISCA annual convention is held each year in a different location. The convention features a guest speaker, lectures, seminars, competitions, awards and the camaraderie of your peers in the art of caricature drawing.
ISCA is a professional association but welcomes anyone interested in the art of caricature. Associate memberships are available at discounted rates for those who wish to simply be a part of the organization or who want to learn more about becoming a professional caricaturist.
ISCA was formed in 1989 by Wallace "Buddy" Rose. Buddy created a forum for caricaturists by providing a quarterly newsletter and annual convention. The original goal was to create an organization that would seek out charitable and mutual benefits for united artists. It operated briefly as a booking agency until filing its application in compliance with article 5154a making it a trade union in 1994. In 1995 the new constitution was ratified in San Antonio, TX, ISCA was granted non-profit status, and the first election was held. In 2009, ISCA officially changed its name from the National Caricaturist Network to the International Society of Caricature Artists and ratified a new constitution.
The association boasts some of the most recognizable names in the industry as members and friends of ISCA. Jack Davis, Sergio Aragones, Mort Drucker, Hermann Meija, Mark Fredrickson, Sam Viviano and Tom Richmond of Mad magazine, Jan op de Beeck, Sam Norkin, Rudy Cristiano, Bruce Blitz, C.F. Payne, Pancho Willmarth, Mike Peters, Bill Plympton and Sebastian Krüger have all been keynote speakers and members. Many ISCA members are accomplished as artists not only in caricaturing, but in other artistic fields as well.
Membership in ISCA starts at $60 a year for new and student members. Professionals and existing membership is only $85 per year. Professional members are allowed the privilege of voting within the organization and holding office, whereas student/associate members are given only limited membership rights. Upon joining ISCA, you will receive the informative quarterly newsletter, exaggerated features, as well as a list of artists from around the world. It's a virtual place to stay connected with other artists who share in your interest in the art of caricature. You also be able to meet and network with other artists from around the world at our annual convention. If all that weren't enough, you will also receive your own profile page to tell the world about your talents and post your samples on in the ISCA online directory.
Beyond the obvious advantage of being recognized as an ISCA artist, there are many benefits to being an ISCA member:
* Exaggerated Features magazine subscription
* Access to the annual ISCA convention
* Free listing on the ISCA Website
* Feature spotlight artist listing on ISCA website
* ISCA discounts from our preferred vendors
Beyond the benefits to you, there is a benefit inherent in caricaturists banding together in an organization seeking to promote their craft. As ISCA grows, we continuously promote this amazing and fun art form. Our mission is to influence and inform the public about the art of caricature. The bottom line is that there are many benefits you receive by joining our group that you can not acquire independently.
