Application deadline: 16 January 2026
Bolo Klub
Do you have an idea for a picture book? Or a strong desire to take on this challenge? Then do it now! Or later… or even later… but don’t wait too long! Join the Bolo Klub!
The Project
The journey from a first idea to a complete story and finally to the publication of a book is a long one. This is where the Bolo Klub comes in: to accompany you along the way. It encourages exchange among participants, organizes meetings with experienced authors and illustrators, and supports you in getting in touch with publishers.
In short: the Bolo Klub enables and promotes networking and empowerment among picture-book illustrators in Switzerland and supports the development of high-quality and bold picture books.
A network of renowned illustrators and authors from Switzerland accompanies eight emerging illustrators for one year as they develop their picture-book projects. The program begins with a kick-off workshop in March 2026 and ends with a visit to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in April 2027, where all participants will present a completed storyboard and five original illustrations to publishers from around the world.
Who is behind it?
The Bolo Klub is a long-term support project run by former participants. Our goal is to support picture-book projects that are quiet, loud, brave, honest, fantastic, and simply wonderful.
The Bolo Klub is supported by numerous important partners from the professional field. Publishers, institutions, associations, and established illustrators maintain active exchange with the Bolo Klub and support the project.
Target Group
The project is aimed at illustrators from Switzerland or illustrators living in Switzerland who are seeking professionalization in the field of visual storytelling for picture books or children’s comics. Artistic experience or basic training in visual arts or illustration is required. Typically, participants have not yet published a picture book (or have published only one at most).
Language
The Bolo Klub is a national support project addressed to illustrators from all linguistic regions of Switzerland. Internal communication and joint events are held in English. Good English skills are therefore necessary.
Dates
We meet once a month to discuss the projects as a group.
Please note that these dates are mandatory:
- Application deadline: 16 January 2026
- Notification of acceptance/rejection: February 2026
- Kick-off event: 28/29 March 2026
- Storyboard workshop: April 2026
- Text workshop: May 2026
- Layout & typography workshop: June 2026
- Individual text mentoring: July to August 2026
- Dummy workshop: September 2026
- Publisher meeting: September to December 2026
- Showtime in Bologna: April 2027
Selection Criteria
The eight participants are selected by a professional jury.
The selection criteria are:
- motivation
- an innovative approach, whether in content or form
- a personal visual language
- diversity of projects within the group
- target audience: children
- consideration of linguistic regions
Costs
The application process is free of charge. After being accepted, the eight participants pay a fee of CHF 500 for the entire program, including travel and accommodation for the trip to Bologna.
Amici
You don’t necessarily want to be part of the core group, but you still want to follow the project?
Then join the Amici. We will inform you by email about the Jour Fixe dates, which you may attend if you wish.
Bolo Klub – Jour fixe is an exchange platform for picture-book creators and is open to both the core group and the Amici.
The meetings take place every two months at different locations in the four linguistic regions of Switzerland. Anyone attending may present a “work in progress” project and receive feedback from the group.
If you would like to join the Amici group, simply fill out the registration card and send it back to us with the note “Amici.”
Application
Please send the following documents by email no later than 16 January 2026:
Send us two PDF files:
- Registration form Download here
- Application documents (a single document, maximum 20 pages, in the following order):
- Curriculum vitae – max. 2 pages
- Portfolio sample (previous work) – max. 5 pages
- Motivation / short project description with working title – max. 1 page, max. 500 words
- Illustrations: at least 2 finished illustrations from the story – max. 2 pages
- Work samples: sketches related to the project – max. 5 pages
- Mini-storyboard: thumbnails with text notes – max. 5 pages
You may work on your project in the language you prefer. However, for the jury review, the application must be translated into English.