Artists

The Artist Alley is a place for artists to sell their original, unique, and handmade wares at Momocon. If you are selling licensed or mass produced goods, please consider selling in Vendors instead as it will be a better fit for your shop.

Applications for 2025 coming in November

In order to better prevent proxies, art theft, and AI art from entering the Artist Alley, we will be changing our application requirements for the 2D art category. From this point going forward 2D artists will be required to provide some type of process content, whether this is line art, Procreate videos, links to recorded streams, or social media reels; we need to know that your art is your own.

However, this will also mean that we will be shifting our application window to provide ample time for our jurors. Our new Artist Alley application window will be November 3rd through November 17th, 2024.

Important Dates

  • Nov 3rd, 2024 at 8:00pm (EST) – Application Opens
  • Nov 17th, 2024 at 8:00pm (EST) – Application Closes
  • Jan TBD – Jurying Results Sent Out
  • Jan TBD – Invoices Sent Out
  • Wednesday, May 21 – Load-in Begins
  • Thursday, May 22 at 2:00pm (EST) – Exhibit Hall Opens to Attendees (Convention Starts)
  • Sunday, May 25 at 5:00pm (EST) – Exhibit Hall Closes to Attendees (Convention Closes)

2024 Artists

Space Types

Standard

Cost (2024): $350 base price
$372.27 after processing fees

10 X 10

Cost (2024): $575 base price
$611.38 after processing fees

Basic Portfolio Guidelines

Not Allowed Merchandise

Momocon is home to a large number of people of all ages. Please use your best judgment regarding subject matter. Momocon reserves the right to remove any artwork deemed inappropriate.

However, the following are not allowed for sale at Momocon:

  • 18+ / adult / explicit materials
  • food (including teas or dried foods) and drinks
  • Traced art from official or non original sources
  • Official merchandise
  • Bladed weapons
  • AI-generated art
  • Drug paraphernalia 

Because we receive many questions about it, we will reiterate that all foodstuffs are not allowed in the Artists Alley, especially hand-made foodstuffs. The Georgia World Congress Center has strict food rules and even approved vendors (such as the food carts you see in the hall set up by the venue) carry millions of dollars in insurance coverage. This includes all food products, including dried foods or consumables. At this time, we do not permit AI-created art in the Alley or for sale that utilizes art samples not created by the applicant.

Jury Process

Based on feedback from artists and applicants in the past several years of MomoCon’s Artists Alley, we will be continuing with a jury system for future events. The Jury Process typically opens in December before the event, with notifications going out to all applicants on or before mid-January before the event. The Jury System is based on (in order of importance):

  1. Adhering to Artists Alley rules/guidelines, removing incomplete applications
  2. Variety of products/offerings/artwork (categories of many types)
  3. Professionalism and completeness of portfolio

We are here to answer any questions about the process should you have them. No system will be perfect for every artist, but we are built on feedback and will strive to improve with any system from year to year.

Our Artist Alley Application Committee selects the artists for each year, based on the following criteria:

  1. Following the Alley rules: Many applicants will be rejected for not reading and understanding the Alley rules, see the section above for more details.
  2. Differentiation of product: Our #1 goal is to have a diverse Artists Alley, with representation from crafts, 2-D art, clothing, trinkets, jewelry, photography, comic artists (as part of the Comic Artists Alley) and unique offerings. We look for a good mix of artists who have been a great part of the alley in the past and new artists (both new to MomoCon or selling in Alleys in general). The highest concentration of applications comes from the 2-D prints art category and as such is one of the more competitive categories and many artists are waitlisted in this designation. This is not a reflection of the art itself, but the sheer number of these artists means that many will not make the first pass and may be waitlisted.
  3. Professionalism and Preparation: We love artists who are enthusiastic, bring a good amount of work, and are raring to go for the Alley! Applications with only a small few pieces of work or people who are unprepared and might only have a very sparse table at the event are less likely to be accepted.

The Artist Alley Application Committee consists of highly experienced Artists Alley former participants, professionals, artists, and crafters. We have no preference at MomoCon for any style of artwork over another; 2-D prints, original art, painters, photographers, crafters, jewelry makers, trinket makers, and clothing craftspeople are all welcome in the Alley and we take great care (it is in fact our #1 goal) to have a very balanced amount of each type of product in the Alley, providing the best selection for our attendees!

I've Been Waitlisted, Now What?

Everyone that isn’t accepted during the initial jury review selection (or rejected) is added to our waitlist. If an accepted artist withdraws their application, or misses a post-approval deadline, then their table will be forfeit and offered, in order of the review results, to an artist on the waitlist during the original determination and whose material isn’t a violation of the Alley’s rules. IF the waitlisted artist who received the rollovered table also withdraws or misses a deadline, then the table will rollover to the next artist on the waitlist, etc.

There are many many MANY reasons applications are not accepted or are waitlisted for the Alley, including (but not limited to):

  • incomplete applications
  • breaking one or more of the stated rules
  • misspelled emails (if we can’t contact you, we can’t approve your application!)
  • The quality of artists that submitted their application in a specific category is higher than in previous years
  • The quantity of artists that submitted their application in a specific category is higher than in previous years

Please keep in mind that no decision is ever personal. Our Artist Alley Application Committee members will recuse themselves for any applications of friends with close ties to ensure the best experience. Please keep in mind that our current policy is that we do not offer portfolio feedback and/or waitlist position, as we receive a lot of applications and unfortunately do not have the time or resources to offer detailed critiques/placement for all of them.

I've Been Accepted, Now What?

After your application is accepted, you will be contacted by the Artists Alley team to confirm your registration and arrange payment. Due to some extremely egregious abuses in the past, we will require upfront payment for the spaces when invoices are sent/tables are assigned. Cancellations and refunds will be available for 30 days after payment per our standard online payment processor procedure. After 30 days, transfers (that will require MomoCon Artists Alley volunteer staff approval) are available, but the artist will need to arrange for any transfer/payments of money and to get approval and changes confirmed through the MomoCon Artists Alley volunteer staff themselves (MomoCon will not handle any refunds or money after the 30 day window). No transfers can be made within 30 days before the event. Transfers must involve an artist that is currently on the year’s waitlist (to be arranged with the Artists Alley team).

Payments: Payments for Artists Alley tables may be made only via PayPal account or credit/debit card (the processor is PayPal but you can use any type of credit or debit card without a PayPal account). We will not take checks or cash at any time, please make accommodations.

Why the strict rules about upfront payments, transfers, and refunds? A very large number of artists reserved tables, passed many payment deadlines and were given accommodations and forgiveness from the Artists Alley volunteer staff, and still dropped their tables at a late date, causing much frustration for our room designers, Artists Alley volunteer staff, accounting, and many others. This was also extremely disrespectful to those artists who were unable to secure a table during the initial reservation period due to the high number of applicants and demand, only to have that taken table be tossed aside at a late date when the original waitlist artists (who were very interested) did not have time to make accommodations to sell. We ask those who are interested in selling at the MomoCon Artists Alley make that decision before the refund deadline, to make the process smoother for everyone and allow those who would like to sell the opportunity to do so with enough time to craft product for the event. Should emergencies occur, transfers of tables are available (with Artists Alley jury approval), but it is the responsibility of the confirmed artist to make the accommodations for the transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Share A Table With Someone?

Artists may share their table with other artists who have been accepted to the Artist Alley, provided both artists (either together as a single portfolio or separately) have been accepted into the Alley. If the other artist was independently accepted, but you plan on sharing a table, please let us know via email. Only one artist will be the primary contact for the table and accept any and all legal responsibility for the space.

Artists may NOT share table space with artists who were rejected or waitlisted, this is a common tactic to avoid the jury process and cannot be used to subvert the process. If you would like to add another artist’s work to your submission during the jury period starting early Dec 2023 please contact our Artists Alley team.

Are There Age Requirements?

While we do not have a minimum age for Artists Alley participants, someone 18 or older must e-sign all AA contracts (parent, guardian, table partner, etc. for those under 18).

Please have the legal party fill out the contact information with details about the artist in the text field.

Is Fanart Allowed?

Fanart is allowed unless we receive notification from copyright-holding parties to limit its presence. However, fanart is defined as merchandise and prints that include the likeness of a character, symbol, or other copyrighted property, not official goods. Any goods traditionally qualified as “bootleg” (manufactured in China, unofficial, intended to appear official or defraud) will not be allowed.

In previous years major anime companies have been present at MomoCon and are likely to be again, including Funimation, Crunchyroll, Sentai Filmworks, and Viz Media. Any requests that they have for copyright violations will be taken with utmost seriousness upon presentation. Funimation has stipulated that any use of official names and/or logos (i.e. labeling things “Hetalia” or using Dragon Ball Z logos) will have a zero tolerance from the official company representatives. MomoCon will comply with any requests from US license holders.

How Big Is The Artist Alley This Year? How Many Tables Are There?

The Artists Alley will be about the same as last year’s event. We care about the variety and ability for sales for our Artists and thus always try to avoid overfilling the room.

Where Is The Alley This Year? Is It In The GWCC?

The Artist Alley will be located in one of the Exhibit Sections with exclusive entry through Hall B, located alongside the Dealers. There is no physical divider between artists and dealers for optimal flow.

How Many Tables/Spaces Can I Get?

Artists are only allowed to purchase a single booth or table.

How Do I Get Power/Water/Wifi?

If you want to order power or internet for your booth, you can order it through the GWCC’s Exhibitors Site.

Is There A Special Rate/Code For Parking?

We do not offer a special parking rate just for artists. Please use the MomoCon Parking page for additional details on how you can reserve your parking.

Is There A Special Rate/Code For Hotel?

We do not offer a special hotel rate just for artists. Please use the MomoCon Hotels page for additional details on how you can reserve your hotel.

Can I send someone to operate my booth if I cannot attend?

Artists that apply and are accepted into the Momocon Artist Alley are expected to be present at the convention while tabling; sending a proxy to sell or manage your table on your behalf while selling at other events will result in removal from the Artist Alley as this type of proxying isn’t fair to other artists that have committed to being present at the convention and have made travel and housing arrangements, either. 

However, if the artist is unable to attend due to extenuating circumstances and they are part of a  joint partnership or studio, they can request to have another representative from that studio/partnership table the booth. These are handled by the Momocon Artist Alley team and are approved on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to the Momocon Artist Alley team if you feel you fall under this category.

Failure to notify the Artist Alley team before sending someone to attend the convention in the artist’s stead is considered unapproved and will result in table cancellation and removal from the Artist Alley.

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