The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art invites comics artists, cartoonists, animators and any other interested individuals to get involved with planning, fundraising, staffing, and other support activities surrounding this year’s Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art Festival (June 7-8, 2008) at the historic Puck Building (295 Lafayette at Houston) in New York City.

Although exhibitor tables are already sold out for this year’s Art Festival, there are still several ways for interested comics artists, cartoonists and animators to participate in the Festival and show off their work for the thousands of fans and aficionados expected to attend.

• The MoCCA Make Sale is a brand new fundraising program modeled after a good old fashioned community bake sale: participants are invited to donate comics or cartoon-related items which they have made to be sold by the museum as fundraisers during the Art Festival. Participants who are also present as Festival volunteers (see below) will be encouraged to spend time at the Make Sale tables (after or between their assigned shifts) to promote and/or sign their donated works. Such participants will also have the option to be listed as exhibitors in the Festival Program Guide and on the Festival webpage (subject to deadlines and other restrictions). For artists who applied too late to secure a table of their own at this year’s Art Festival, the Make Sale is a great way for them to still enjoy many of the benefits of being an exhibitor while helping to raise funds and awareness for the museum. Display space is limited and subject to museum discretion. Contact MoCCA Make Sale Manager Ken Wong (kwong@moccany.org) for details.

• For artists and non-artists alike, Volunteering is a great way to be a part of the energy, excitement and fun of the annual MoCCA Art Fest. Preparations for this year’s Festival are already underway, so supporters who want to be involved in planning, logistics, advertising/marketing, exhibitor relations or other Festival aspects (or with the museum in general) can start right away. Volunteer shifts during the Festival itself typically last only about four hours, leaving plenty of time for shopping and socializing. In addition, Festival volunteers get free weekend admission to the Festival, a free MoCCA Art Fest t-shirt, a free MoCCA Art Fest poster, a free meal voucher, discounts from participating exhibitors, and an invitation to the MoCCA Art Fest “cast party” on Sunday evening. To get on the volunteer call list, simply e-mail volunteers@moccany.org