TCAF celebrates its 20th anniversary with an in-person return in 2022

TCAF, the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, has announced that they will hold a combination in-person and virtual show the weekend of June 17th-19th, 2022, to celebrate their 20th anniversary. The June dates are a departure from their usual May timeframe. The announcement marks the show’s in-person return after a two-year absence, as TCAF 2020 was cancelled, while TCAF 2021 was held virtually.

In a not-so-subtle acknowledge of last year’s controversy, which saw co-founder Chris Butcher depart the show amid complaints about a need for more racial diversity among show leadership and more support for BIPOC volunteers, the press release from TCAF announcing the show’s in-person return highlights inclusion.

Welcome to the biggest, most comprehensive, and inclusive TCAF to date! Following on the success of last year’s extensive range of virtual programming, TCAF will bring together the best of both worlds for 2022, offering one-of-a-kind virtual events alongside a new and improved online marketplace for global visitors, as well as the triumphant return of in-person programming, events and creator exhibition for local attendees.

TCAF welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including but not limited to, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour), persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. TCAF is committed to providing an event free of discrimination and harassment; a festival where all participants are treated with respect and dignity.

TCAF is held in the Toronto Public Library’s Reference Library at 789 Yonge Street and nearby venues. Professional Development programming is held on Friday, June 17, with Saturday and Sunday open to the pubic.

Applications to exhibit are open now, until February 7, 2022, and exhibitors “may choose to exhibit exclusively in-person, exclusively digitally, or a hybrid of both.”