Comic Strip School

COMIC STRIP SCHOOL – Developing Competencies in the Cultural Sector

Country: Morocco

Project initiated in: 2000

Presented by: Wallonie-Bruxelles International

Partners: Ministry of Culture in Morocco, bilateral cooperation between France and Spain and local authorities

Project budget: EUR 500 000 (WBI contribution)

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//Context

Comic strips should not be underestimated as an art form. The comic strip market represents, in some countries, a considerable portion of sales in the publishing sector. Comic strips enable talented visual artists to reach other audiences and to be more widely distributed. This artistic genre can also lead to other professional activities, such as publicity, communication, etc.

As a strong means of communication with young people, comic strips can also represent a remarkable educational tool benefitting development.

In Morocco, the comic strip sector is marginal and no organisational structure is responsible for the provision of training to comic strip designers and artists. On the basis of these observations and at the behest of the Moroccan authorities, Wallonie-Bruxelles International has participated in the creation of a comic strip department within the National Institute of Fine Arts in Tétouan [Institut national des Beaux-arts de Tétouan – INBA].

// Project objectives

Training an educational body which is able to master all comic strip techniques.

Training comic strip artists and ensuring their professional insertion.

Promoting and supporting the development of the sector, via the development of a locally-based public and a market, through a series of activities, including the creation of a Comic Strip Fair.

// Action and Impact

The comic strip department within the INBA [National Institute of Fine Arts] was established and has been operational since 2000, and includes an expert educational body. The first batch of students graduated in 2003.

With five cohorts graduating before 2010, 27 students now hold diplomas awarded by the department. Some have gone on to continue studies overseas whilst the professional insertion of others is now guaranteed: art teachers, video game designers, and designers working for communication agencies or publishing houses as well as freelance artists.

An international comic strip festival was established in Tétouan, including exhibitions, competitions and training workshops. In 2010, 15 countries were represented at the festival, notably with the opening up of the African comic strip market. A regular comic strip publication has been created by students, teachers and alumni of the department.

International partnerships have been developed, notably with schools in France as well as with international Festivals and artistic institutions, thereby ensuring the funding of artistic and professional activities and exchanges.

An educational publication has been created with in collaboration of the UNDP (with the objective of distributing good educational and health practices) and other comic strip albums have also been published.

Although the school is a relatively recent institution, the comic strip sector in Morocco has begun to structure its organisation around this project, with a pool of high-level professionals, artistic events, distribution activities and investors. Established cultural operators – publishing houses, art galleries, television channels – have all developed activities focussing on comic strips and the future growth potential of the sector is considerable. 

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