Special Call for Artists: Youth Perspectives on Trauma-Informed Care
The Canadian Paediatric Society, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, and the UBC Comics Studies Cluster invite applications from comics artists to collaborate on an exciting new research-to-comics initiative. This project will translate youth perspectives on trauma-informed care into accessible, engaging comics that highlight young people’s lived experiences and insights.
About the Project
Youth across Canada experience trauma in diverse and overlapping forms—social, developmental, and intergenerational—and too often, their voices are absent from how health care systems and providers understand and deliver trauma-informed care.
This project is rooted in community-based engagement and was co-designed with a Youth Advisory Council (YAC). The YAC guides all aspects of the work, from consultation design to dissemination. Their involvement ensures that research reflects youth voices and that outputs are accurate, impactful, and meaningful.
Earlier this year, the project team engaged more than 50 youth from across Canada in discussions about what “safe care” means to them. These sessions generated key themes and messages directly from youth themselves, which will form the foundation of the comics.
We are now seeking comics artists to collaborate with the YAC and research team to create two case study comics (8–12 pages each) that communicate these youth perspectives on trauma-informed care. These comics will serve as knowledge mobilization tools for clinicians, policymakers, youth organizations, and the broader public.
Artist Role
Selected artists will:
- Attend consultation and planning sessions with the Youth Advisory Council.
- Collaborate with youth advisors to co-create narrative and visual approaches that reflect their perspectives and priorities.
- Develop two 8–12-page comics presenting youth perspectives as case studies.
- Work closely with the project team to integrate accuracy, sensitivity, and accessibility in all stages of production.
- Provide draft thumbnails/storyboards for feedback and incorporate revisions.
- Deliver final high-resolution print- and web-ready files.
Compensation
Artists will be compensated in two installments of $600 each for a total of $1200 per project:
- The first installment upon delivery of thumbnails/storyboards.
- The second upon completion of final comics.
Eligibility
We encourage applications from artists with experience in:
- Comics and graphic storytelling.
- Community-engaged and collaborative creative practices.
- Working with youth or representing equity-deserving and marginalized perspectives.
Artists from diverse cultural, linguistic, and lived-experience backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Timeline
- Nov 21: Deadline for applications.
- Dec 1: Artists will be notified of their selection.
- Dec 15: Depending on the topic, artists might receive (or request) additional research material.
- January 31: Thumbnails for graphic narratives will be due.
- March 1: Project Team will provide feedback.
- May 31: Drafts of graphic narratives will be due.
- June 15: Editorial comments and requested revisions will be provided.
- July 15: Final versions of the graphic narratives are due.
Application Process
Please prepare the following materials for submission:
- A short statement of interest (max 1 page) describing your approach to community-engaged storytelling and why you want to participate in this project.
- A CV or résumé (max 3 pages).
- A portfolio of 3–5 examples of relevant work (attachments or links).
Submission
Applications will be reviewed by the project team in collaboration with the Youth Advisory Council.
Send any questions to: biz.nijdam@ubc.ca