Annual Convention

Annual Convention September 11-14, 2025

The AAEC will be joining the line-up at this year’s Small Press Expo as part of our annual convention in September 2025. Registration is now open.

Registration page

SPX website



 

Letter from the President

“Ask not what your AAEC can do for you, ask what you can do for your AAEC.”

Some of you may remember the days when AAEC conventions were the
place where major daily newspaper editors came to find talent. It
seemed at every year’s convention, there was a buzz about at least one
big job and often, an editor interviewing on the spot.

The buzz at the Milwaukee convention in 1988 was Mike Keefe’s
impending one-year sabbatical from The Denver Post and that his editor
was scouting for prospects. I’ll never forget the night after meeting
with Chuck Green. I couldn’t sleep and stared out over the lights of
downtown Milwaukee, excited in the prospect that the unlikely dream of
becoming an editorial cartoonist might actually happen. So, in fact, I
owe my career to the AAEC. It’s time I gave a little something back.

A lot has changed since then. The AAEC has gone from an organization
dominated by colorful daily newspaper staffers to a membership
comprised of diverse, creative people, employing different approaches
to the practice of editorial cartooning who publish on a myriad of
platforms. As a result, one could argue that the AAEC is healthier than
the newspaper industry that once supported it. I know how much the AAEC
has meant to me over the years.

I’m sure all of you feel the same. It has been a source of strength,
camaraderie and opportunity. So I ask you all to employ those creative
skills to help ensure the “Future of the AAEC” and our profession.
We’ve had the discussion, now let’s act. Let’s be open minded to new
possibilities and take advantage of the new opportunities that are out
there for us.

Gone are the days of newspapers as our primary underwriters, but by
thinking creatively, we were able to stumble upon possible new models
for hosting future conventions. The Portland Convention, June 16-19,
2010 and its partnership with Portland State is a perfect example of
this approach. Jack Ohman’s star power as an alumnus helped us secure
an $89 room rate we haven’t seen since the old days. We can plan on
this convention being a little different than in the past, with more
events that will be open to the public, including an AAEC event at the
legendary Powell’s bookstore in downtown Portland.

It’s my hope that we can continue cultivating convention
partnerships such as these with universities and journalism
institutions while pursuing other ventures like the Editorial
Cartoonists Initiative (ECI), the charitable arm of the AAEC, which
foster education, and awareness of editorial cartooning.

And, like previous AAEC presidents, I look forward to educating and
advocating on behalf of our diverse membership doing exceptional work
in various disciplines of editorial cartooning, but especially local
editorial cartooning!

—Rex

News Archives

  • Categories

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.


The Daily Cartoonist

CSotD: Racism & Hatred Aren’t Funny
CSotD: Racism & Hatred Aren’t Funny

As I’m writing this, the House is in an all-night session, not so much debating Trump’s major bill as seeing which side can hold on...


LOCHER FELLOWSHIP

The AAEC John Locher Memorial Fellowship is awarded each year to one early-career cartoonist whose work demonstrates clear opinions and strong artistry on political and social topics. Deadline to be considered is the end of March.

The Locher Fellow will receive a one-year Regular membership in the AAEC, be a guest of the CXC Festival — held every fall in Columbus, Ohio —  and have the opportunity to meet with editorial cartoonists during the year of the Fellowship for portfolio reviews and career advice.


CARTOONS FOR THE CLASSROOM

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.