Artist Alley application update

Posted February 16, 2026

Beginning in 2026, Kumoricon will implement a $5 non-refundable application fee (plus processing) for all Artist Alley applicants.

We understand that adding a fee will raise questions, and we want to be transparent about why this change is being made. The Artist Alley jurying process is a detailed and time-intensive effort that requires significant expertise and many hours of careful review. Only a small number of trained team members are equipped to complete this work each year.

In recent application cycles, we have seen an increase in duplicate submissions and automated bot applications. These issues have added to the workload of our jurying team and delay the review process for everyone. The introduction of a modest, non-refundable application fee is intended to reduce these challenges, streamline the review process, and ultimately allow acceptance notifications to be sent earlier in the year so artists have more time to plan.

Please note that this fee applies only to Artist Alley applicants. Creators’ Column and Exhibitor applicants will not be charged an application fee at this time.

We remain committed to supporting both emerging and professional artists and to maintaining a fair, thorough, and timely selection process. We appreciate your understanding and continued interest in being part of our Artist Alley.