1. Whoever submitted the texts should login to their account here to view the status of your entries!

2. Under the In-Show tab, you should see the entries that were selected by our judges. This should match the email you received prior. Please note: The Completed tab will also indicate any entries that were unfortunately not selected for this year’s competition.

3. Please click START to complete the required paperwork per accepted title and pay the applicable fees. If you see the green COMPLETE status, your entry should be good to go! The deadline for the paperwork and fees will be displayed on this page in red. Please note: Your progress is saved on each form until you click SUBMIT. Your progress can be resumed at any time before the deadline. Once the deadline hits, this form does permanently lock, so please complete promptly.

Within this Form, you will be asked to provide:

• • The illustrator’s email address for future collaborations, such as the Bologna Book Fair.
  • A consent form allowing us to display the work.
  • Details on how you plan to ship the framed artwork to us and have it returned to you once the exhibition concludes.

*This year, our team will use the information submitted with the initial entry including the book title, medium, art director, editor, and publisher for our exhibition labels and printed catalog. If you have any concerns about this, please reach out to Jordan@societyillustrators.org.

4. The $65 Hanging / Publication Fee is required for each accepted title to be displayed in our exhibit and printed in the catalog. For SOI Corporate and Illustrator-level members, the fee is $50. Their dashboard should display “SOI Member” in pink to reflect this membership tier. The PAY LATER option via the form is reserved exclusively for Publishers who are sending a check payment through their corporate office! If you have difficulty completing the payment via the form, there is also this alternative link. This payment along with the the form and framed artwork are due by TUESDAY OCTOBER 20TH, 2026.

It is the lender’s responsibility to cover all shipping and framing-related fees. The Society does not ship artwork back after the exhibition concludes unless a prepaid shipping label or account number has been provided.

5. Shipping Artwork

• • We ask that each book have one framed piece to represent it! This can be the cover or a spread, it is the applicant’s choosing.
  • Framed Artwork must have the illustrator’s name and title of book written on the back of the work for identification.
  • Artwork must be ready for hanging with wire or hook on the back. Wood frames are preferred but not required.
  • Original artwork is encouraged (for The Original Art Show!), though you will be asked in the paperwork to indicate whether you plan to send us a framed print.
  • Works can range from standard sizes such as 8.5 × 11, 11 × 17, 18 × 24 inches, etc. We are flexible and willing to work with the original size of the artwork, such as a painting on canvas. This year, we’re more accommodating of large-scale works!

Framed work should be addressed or dropped off at:

Jordan Lisicky / SOI Original Art Show
128 E. 63rd Street
New York, NY 10065
United States

Artwork must be shipped or dropped off by TUESDAY OCTOBER 20TH, 2026 to guarantee inclusion in the exhibition. This can be done by the illustrator, a publishing house, an agency/rep, or a friend on your behalf.

6. Books on Display

We ask publishing houses to ship and donate copies of the books featured in the Original Art Show, which will be displayed alongside the artwork. These books are for the general public and museum visitors to read! Books can be sent with the artwork or separately, after the October 20 artwork deadline. Following the close of the exhibition, all donated books will be given to local schools and/or used in our kids’ programming!

Jordan Lisicky / SOI Original Art Show
128 E. 63rd Street
New York, NY 10065
United States

7. The Printed Catalog

The catalog will be available for purchase once the exhibition is on view. This catalog is produced annually and features the cover and credit information for each book included in the exhibition. It is the best place to find a comprehensive list of in-show titles, and it typically sells out! Unfortunately, there are no complimentary copies. Here is a link to our Online Shop where it would be listed.

* This year, our team will use the information submitted with the initial entry including the book title, medium, art director, editor, and publisher for our exhibition labels and printed catalog. If you have any concerns about this, please reach out to Jordan@societyillustrators.org. Nothing additional is required to be featured other than the fee payment and consent paperwork.

8. Award Ceremony and Reception

The exhibition will run at our museum from October 31, 2026 through January 30, 2027. The award ceremony and reception will take place on Friday, November 13, beginning at 5:30 PM. Illustrators and publishing professionals whose work is featured in the exhibition are encouraged to RSVP in advance using a private emailed link. Names much The Society’s records. Additional guests may purchase public tickets, subject to availability and venue capacity. It is at this time that we celebrate our Gold Medalist, two Silver Medalists, the Dilys Evans Founder’s Award (for newcomers in the field), and our Lifetime Achievement Award winners. Email jordan@societyillustrators.org for any questions regarding this event.

9. Bologna Children’s Book Fair

The Society of Illustrators has partnered with the Bologna Children’s Book Fair to showcase a small selection of works from our Original Art Show in Italy, bringing artwork published in the U.S. to an international audience! We do NOT use the framed artwork or books provided for the Original Art Show exhibition at this fair. Instead, high-resolution files are printed and framed for display. The Loan Agreement Form will ask for your consent to participate in this exhibition and marketing should your title be selected. If your title is selected, you will receive an additional communication in Winter 2026 and/or Spring 2027.

10. Artwork Returns Post-Exhibition 

Once the exhibition concludes in spring 2027, our Art Handler will reach out to the contact listed on the Loan Agreement. You will receive an email with additional information and scheduling details. Due to limited space, artwork can be held at our facility for a maximum of 30 days. It is the lender’s responsibility to arrange for shipment or pickup. Our hours for pickup are 11am to 5pm Monday – Saturday, please email to schedule in advance. Again, it is also the lender’s responsibility to cover all shipping and framing-related fees. The Society does not ship artwork back after the exhibition concludes unless a prepaid shipping label or account number has been provided. Selecting “Do Not Return” confirms that the artwork stated in the Agreement Form will become property of the Society of Illustrators and may be included in any art sales.