The ToonSeum: Pittsburgh Museum of Cartoon Art was a museum devoted exclusively to the cartoon arts that was located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At the time of its operation it was one of three museums dedicated to cartoon art in the United States.
History The ToonSeum first opened in a small section of the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh in 2007.Heyl, Eric. "ToonSeum: Pittsburgh's Cartoon Museum Closing Its Doors ". The Pittsburgh Patch. February 19, 2018. It moved to its own gallery space on Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh's downtown Cultural District on November 8, 2009, aided by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. It was led by Joe Wos.
In 2009, the ToonSeum established its NEMO Award, given to notable individuals "for excellence in the cartoon arts". Recipients to date include veteran comic-book artist Ron Frenz,Uricchio, Marylynn "ToonSeum cartoon museum holds annual Ka-Blam! fundraiser" Pittsburgh Post-Gazette June 9, 2009 Retrieved December 21, 2010 editorial and comic-strip artist Dick Locher,JimHillMedia.com "Legendary Cartoonist Dick Locher Receives ToonSeum's Nemo Award" March 30, 2011 and comics artist, editorial cartoonist and artists' rights advocate Jerry Robinson.Riggenberg, Steven "Jerry Robinson: January 1st, 1922 – December 7th, 2011" The Comics Journal December 13, 2011
In May 2013, the ToonSeum hosted the two-day North American Conference of the National Cartoonists Society. During that same month, plans for expansion of the museum were announced.
On February 16, 2018, the leadership of the ToonSeum announced via the organization's Facebook page that it would close the physical location on Liberty Avenue as of February 24, 2018, to focus on direct community outreach.
See also
Funky Turns 40: Black Character Revolution
References