Forget Clown College

With the rise in popularity of the graphic novel and the annual sales quadrupling in the past 6 years, a degree in comics is no joke.

The Center For Cartoon Studies offers a two year intensive program focused entirely on the creation and distribution of illustrated narratives. The roster of faculty and visiting artists and writers is sure to impress any aspiring comic artist. Their mission statement also impressed me with an acknowledgement of their commitment to socially responsible practices:

"CCS, recognizing the central role that socially responsible businesses can play in a community, will initiate and be responsive to innovative ways to improve the local cultural and economic quality of life."

After watching a video clip from a documentary in the works, about the school I was sold on their earnest approach and intent to train students to have their own voice.

"As for CCS students, whose aspirations tend to lean more toward literary comics, they seem pragmatic about their prospects (the day jobs), but also optimistic...'All the editors on the graphic-novel beat, they're aware of the Center for Cartoon Studies and are keeping an eye on it.' " from recent CS Monitor story about the first graduating class at Center for Cartoon Studies, read the rest of the article here.