Annual Convention

Annual Convention October 5-8

The AAEC and Association of Canadian Cartoonists will be joining with the Cartoon Art Museum in San Franscisco for a 3-day celebration of editorial art and political cartoonists, October 5-8, 2023.

Online registration is now open!


Telnaes Cartoon on Cruz: Statement from AAEC Board

The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) stands in support with Ann Telnaes and her right to call out presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz for politicizing his daughters in a campaign attack ad. While it would be in bad taste to arbitrarily go after a public figure’s family, it is fair journalism to criticize the senator for using his own children to attack a political opponent. And that’s precisely what Ann’s cartoon has done. It does not stray from the time-honored tradition of cartoonists using satire to speak truth to power and protect the powerless – in this case, children.
Cruz ventured into new territory when he had his 7-year-old play an active attack role reading from a script in a campaign ad criticizing political opponents. The media should draw a distinction between this and when elected officials merely use their family in photo ops and positive campaign promotion as has historically been the custom.
Cartoons speak in metaphor, and the monkey image is integral to the age-old organ grinder symbol. Taken in full context, Cruz was clearly the target, but he and his supporters deflected the message by claiming his children were the victims. This is a technique many employ when in the crosshairs of satire, and the media must be careful not to fall for this argument hook, line, and sinker. While the editors at The Washington Post are free to edit how they see fit, in our view it would have been best to defend the cartoon once it had been published. Retracting it risks the appearance of caving to political pressure.

Statement from AAEC Board

Long-time AAEC members Gary Huck and Mike Konopacki are currently showing their cartoons in an exhibition at Cornell University, where they have come under attack from conservative and liberal critics on campus and off-campus.
Some have complained about the use of certain symbols, such as swastikas and Confederate flags. Others have implied rape imagery. Still others note that the cartoons solely attack the GOP.
Political cartoons employ imagery to make a point. Sometimes the meaning of the imagery is clear, sometime it is more ambiguous. But to willfully project an unintended meaning to a cartoon is offensive to the artist and the free expression of ideas.
In the case of Mr. Huck and Mr. Konopacki, there is absolutely nothing in the use of their imagery that is anything other than within the finest traditions of American editorial cartooning.
Mr. Huck and Mr. Konopacki are owed the full exposition of their work at Cornell, attendees of the exhibition deserve to see all of their work with no censorship, and the AAEC Board urges Cornell to be mindful that a university is a marketplace of ideas, and not a place for censorship or fear.
The AAEC Board of Directors strongly supports Mr. Huck and Mr. Konopacki.

Cartooning after Charlie Hebdo

A panel of American political cartoonists confront a new reality after the terrorist attack in Paris, with an in depth discussion of free speech, cultural sensitivity, and publishing for a global audience.
“Free Speech or Hate Speech: Drawing the Line After Charlie Hebdo” was held in September 2015 at the annual gathering of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists in Columbus, Ohio, and is provided courtesy of the Columbus College of Art and Design, and the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum at Ohio State. View it here: https://vimeo.com/141021943

AAEC Calls for Independent Investigation of LAPD’s Rall Tape

The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists board calls for an independent investigation of the Los Angeles Police Department’s tape of former AAEC president and member Ted Rall’s jaywalking stop in 2001. An impartial review of the tape of this incident is badly needed in this case.
Determining the truth in this matter is important to Mr. Rall’s personal and professional reputation, and to the rights of journalists to freely express themselves. Furthermore, the Los Angeles Times should have demanded a higher standard of proof in this matter, and it is clear that Mr. Rall is owed a full and complete analysis of the 14 year old tape used to make a judgment about his actions.
Should an independent investigation determine that Mr. Rall’s version of the events is accurate, we call upon the Los Angeles Times to publicly apologize, and make restitution. If it is also determined that the Los Angeles Police Department or a member of the police union manipulated the tape, as Mr. Rall alleges, they also owe Mr. Rall an apology and restitution.

AAEC calls for Maine Governor’s apology to George Danby

Maine Gov. Paul Le Page’s recent statement noting that he’d like to shoot Bangor Daily News cartoonist George Danby is nothing short of absolutely reprehensible. In light of the recent assassination of twelve people, including five cartoonists, at the Charlie Hebdo newspaper in France, Gov. LePage’s remarks are beneath contempt. Calling for the shooting of a newspaper cartoonist in this political environment by an elected official is unprecedented, and Gov. LePage sets a new low in political judgment and discourse. Danby himself noted that had he made a similar statement, he’d be arrested. The board of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists condemns Gov. LePage’s vicious, stupid and irresponsible statement. We call upon him to issue a public apology to George Danby.

AAEC Condemns Texas Attack

The shootings in Texas once again demonstrate that art is provocative, but we must not cower in the face of threats to this profession or to free expression. Political art, be it cartoons, paintings, sculpture, or anything else, is protected speech under the First Amendment. The group that sponsored the “art contest” has been labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The leader of the group seems to have her own tasteless and ignorant agenda. However, a group’s political agenda, whether we agree with its goals or not, is subject to the same constitutional protections we all enjoy. Cartoons are powerful, as has been repeatedly shown in the past few months, and the AAEC condemns this senseless attack.

AAEC Convention 2015, Columbus, Ohio

It’s time to make plans to come to this year’s AAEC Convention in Columbus, Ohio! It will be held Thursday, Sept. 3, through Sunday, Sept. 6, and hosted by the OSU Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum and the Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD). Day programming and public sessions will be held at CCAD, with separate events at the Billy Ireland, which will open up its cartooning treasure vault for the convention. There will be a sit-down banquet and awards ceremony Saturday evening. We will update you soon with an outline of the convention schedule.

Farewell to a former AAEC president

The AAEC expresses its condolences to the family of Jack Jurden, the longtime editorial cartoonist for The Wilmington News-Journal. Jack died March 19, at age 88. Jack was the president of the AAEC from 1976-77, and was a popular figure for years at the conventions.

AAEC Mission Statement

-To support the profession of editorial cartooning in the United States on all platforms.
-To be an international leader in support of the human, civil, and artistic rights of editorial cartoonists around the world, and to stand with other international groups in support of the profession.
-To be a national and international leader for free speech, the foundation of political cartooning.
-To encourage and foster young editorial cartooning talent.
-To provide a common meeting ground for editorial cartoonists each year to exchange views, meet socially, and showcase creative and technological innovation.

Zunar detained

The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists strongly condemns the detention of the political cartoonist Zunar by the Malaysian authorities. Zunar and his wife have been the subject of continued harassment by police in Kuala Lumpur.

Sunshine Week

Fellow cartoonists, — This is from Anders Gyllenhaal, Vice President for News at McClatchy and a member of the ASNE Board of Directors. He’d like us to contribute cartoons about Sunshine Week, which is March 15-21. Please consider doing a cartoon for this important week. Thanks! – Jack

Condolences to the Menees family

The AAEC community wishes to extend its profound condolences to Tim Menees and his wife, Kay. Their son, Timmy, died of complications from a head injury at age 40. Timmy was a big-hearted man who worked in the non-profit sector. Tim was the longtime editorial cartoonist for The Pittsburgh Press for decades, a great friend to all cartoonists, mainstay of the AAEC band the Toontones, and a truly multi-talented man.

Best wishes to a friend

The AAEC community wishes former Sacramento Bee cartoonist Dennis Renault a speedy and full recovery following a bicycle accident a few months ago. Dennis has been in physical therapy for weeks, and, despite some setbacks, is improving. Through his wife Marty, you can send him at note at marty.renault@icloud.com.

AAEC Statement: We Condemn the Attack on the Charlie Hebdo Magazine

The gruesome attack on the newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France today reminds us that freedom of expression in cartooning is not a given in many parts of the world. Charlie Hebdo was also attacked in 2011, and continued to publish. The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists condemns this revolting act of violence, and stands with the international cartooning community in mourning the loss of twelve people, including several police officers who were executed.

OUR MISSION

The mission of the AAEC is to champion and defend editorial cartooning and free speech as essential to liberty in the United States and throughout the world.

The AAEC aims to be an international leader in support of the human, civil, and artistic rights of editorial cartoonists around the world, and to stand with other international groups in support of the profession.



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CARTOONS IN EDUCATION

Cartoons in Education

Every two weeks throughout the year, The Learning Forum and the AAEC offers CARTOONS FOR THE CLASSROOM, a free lesson resource for teachers discussing current events.  Visit NIEonline.com for more lesson plans.