Toons Mag: Empowering Cartoonists and Advocating for Freedom of Expression

Toons Mag is a globally recognized platform dedicated to the promotion of cartoons, comics, and caricatures. Established in 2009 by award-winning cartoonist Arifur Rahman, Toons Mag provides an open space for cartoonists to share their work, engage with a worldwide audience, and advocate for essential social issues through artistic expression.

Our Platforms

Toons Mag operates multiple platforms to support cartoonists, educate audiences, and promote freedom of expression:

1. Toons Mag – An award-winning online cartoon magazine that serves as an open platform for artists. Toons Mag regularly publishes:
   • Editorial articles
   • Artist interviews
   • Cartoons, comics, and caricatures
     The platform is available in English and occasionally publishes in Arabic, Spanish, Bengali, Hindi, and Norwegian.
2. CartoonWiki – A comprehensive online encyclopedia covering:
   • Cartoons, comics, and animations
   • Editorial cartoons and their historical significance
   • Cartoonists’ biographies and artistic contributions
     Hosting over 100,000 articles, CartoonWiki is an invaluable resource for enthusiasts and researchers.
3. Cartoon Talks – A podcast series hosted by Arifur Rahman, featuring discussions on:
   • The role of cartoons in political and social discourse
   • Challenges faced by cartoonists worldwide
   • Personal stories of prominent artists
4. Cartoonist Network – A dedicated social platform for cartoonists to:
   • Share their artwork
   • Connect with fellow artists
   • Engage in discussions on creativity and industry trends

International Cartoon Contests & Exhibitions

Since 2015, Toons Mag has organized International Cartoon Contests and Exhibitions, advocating for human rights, freedom of speech, and social justice.

Key Exhibitions and Impact:

2015: Children in War

• Theme: Highlighting the suffering of children in conflict zones like Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
• 128 cartoonists from 51 countries participated.
• The exhibition was displayed in Norway and Sweden and inaugurated by Bishop Atle Sommerfeldt.
• Supported by: Norwegian Cartoonist Gallery & Fritt Ord.

2016: Women’s Rights

• 567 cartoonists from 79 countries submitted 1,625 drawings on issues like:
  • Education barriers
  • Forced marriage and gender-based violence
  • Discrimination in society and the workplace
• Exhibited in Norway, India, and Slovakia.
• Supported by: Norwegian Cartoonist Gallery, Fritt Ord, Indian Institute of Cartoonists, and EEA funds.

2017: Freedom of Expression

• 518 cartoonists from 83 countries submitted 1,556 cartoons on censorship and media freedom.
• Exhibited in: Norway, India, Slovakia.
• Inaugurated by notable figures such as:
  • Per Edgard Kokkvold (Norwegian Press Council)
  • Moddi Knutsen (Norwegian musician)
  • Roar Hagen (Political cartoonist)
• Supported by: Norwegian Cartoonist Gallery, Norwegian Festival of Literature, Indian Institute of Cartoonists.

2019-2020: Equal Rights

• 475 cartoonists from 71 countries participated in the Gender Equality and Equal Rights International Cartoon Contest.
• Exhibited in Drøbak and Oslo, Norway.
• Supported by: The Norwegian Cartoonist Gallery & Fritt Ord Foundation.

Cartoonist of the Year Award

Since 2016, Toons Mag has recognized exceptional artists with the Cartoonist of the Year Award—a prestigious accolade that celebrates artistic excellence and encourages creators to continue using cartoons as a powerful voice for social change.

Join Our Movement

Toons Mag is more than just a platform—it is a global movement supporting artistic freedom. Whether you are an artist, journalist, or art enthusiast, you can contribute by:

• Submitting your work to Toons Mag
• Contributing to CartoonWiki
• Joining the Cartoonist Network
• Listening to Cartoon Talks Podcast
• Participating in international contests & exhibitions

👉 Visit us at Toons Mag and be part of the creative revolution!