WELCOME TO THE 2025 YOUMACON ARTIST INFORMATION AND POLICIES PAGE!
Youmacon is celebrating its 20th anniversary from October 30th - November 2nd, 2025.
We are looking for convention vendors, artists, Industry reps, and Sponsors to join us for the festivities.
The artist application will open in June 2025. We will announce the opening date on the official Youmacon website and social media pages. The application link will be provided on this page when it goes live.
Before applying, please read all 2025 Artist Alley Information & Policies thoroughly. We want to make sure you have everything you need to succeed at Youmacon. If you have any questions, please contact the Marketplace Team. We are here to help. Email: marketplace@youmacon.com
We are looking for convention vendors, artists, Industry reps, and Sponsors to join us for the festivities.
The artist application will open in June 2025. We will announce the opening date on the official Youmacon website and social media pages. The application link will be provided on this page when it goes live.
Before applying, please read all 2025 Artist Alley Information & Policies thoroughly. We want to make sure you have everything you need to succeed at Youmacon. If you have any questions, please contact the Marketplace Team. We are here to help. Email: marketplace@youmacon.com
2025 Youmacon Artist Alley Information and Policies
Convention Date and Location
The 20th anniversary of Youmacon will be held at the Huntington Place Convention Center on October 30th through November 2, 2025.
Huntington Place: 1 Washington Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226
The Youmacon Marketplace—located in Halls C and D—hosts Artists, Vendors, Guests, Sponsors, and Industry representatives.
Youmacon Marketplace is a safe, supportive, and positive environment for artists to express their abilities and skills in all types of mediums. All artists are welcome to apply.
All official communication for the artist alley will come from the official Youmacon website, social media, or marketplace@youmacon.com.
Youmacon has a zero-tolerance harassment, bullying, and discrimination policy. This includes the treatment of the Marketplace staff and/or volunteers. Any violation of the policy or any attempts at mistreatment towards the Marketplace staff and/or volunteers will result in your expulsion from the convention without a refund. Please review the code-of conduct page for more information.
Huntington Place: 1 Washington Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226
The Youmacon Marketplace—located in Halls C and D—hosts Artists, Vendors, Guests, Sponsors, and Industry representatives.
Youmacon Marketplace is a safe, supportive, and positive environment for artists to express their abilities and skills in all types of mediums. All artists are welcome to apply.
All official communication for the artist alley will come from the official Youmacon website, social media, or marketplace@youmacon.com.
Youmacon has a zero-tolerance harassment, bullying, and discrimination policy. This includes the treatment of the Marketplace staff and/or volunteers. Any violation of the policy or any attempts at mistreatment towards the Marketplace staff and/or volunteers will result in your expulsion from the convention without a refund. Please review the code-of conduct page for more information.
Marketplace Hours
Day
Date
Setup
Time
Time
VIP
Access
Access
General
Access
Access
Close
Time
Time
Thursday
Oct 30, 2025
12:00 PM*
N/A
N/A
10:00 PM
Friday
Oct 31, 2025
8:00 AM
12:30 PM
1:00 PM - 8:00 PM
8:30 PM
Saturday
Nov 1, 2025
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
10:30 AM - 8:00 PM
8:30 PM
Sunday
Nov 2, 2025
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
4:00 PM
*Setup time on Thursday is subject to coordination with the setup team and may change.
Overview
Since 2005, Youmacon has proudly welcomed artists from across North America, offering a vibrant array of original and fan-inspired creations to our ever-growing community of attendees. Now drawing over 20,000 unique visitors each year to downtown Detroit, we aim to provide fans with an exciting and diverse selection of anime, video game, and pop culture artwork and handmade goods.
To ensure a high-quality and engaging experience, Youmacon’s Artist Alley is juried—meaning applicants are selected based on the type and variety of work they offer. This process helps us maintain a balanced mix of styles and genres, avoiding oversaturation in any one category (for example, too many booths focused solely on a single fandom), and gives all artists a fair chance to stand out and succeed.
Why a Juried System?
Our curated approach supports both artists and attendees by fostering a wide range of creative voices and products. Unique, original, or stylistically diverse work helps enrich the Artist Alley and increases your opportunity to connect with fans and make meaningful sales.
Please note that acceptance is not first-come, first-served. We encourage you to take your time when submitting your application to give yourself the best chance at being selected.
To ensure a high-quality and engaging experience, Youmacon’s Artist Alley is juried—meaning applicants are selected based on the type and variety of work they offer. This process helps us maintain a balanced mix of styles and genres, avoiding oversaturation in any one category (for example, too many booths focused solely on a single fandom), and gives all artists a fair chance to stand out and succeed.
Why a Juried System?
Our curated approach supports both artists and attendees by fostering a wide range of creative voices and products. Unique, original, or stylistically diverse work helps enrich the Artist Alley and increases your opportunity to connect with fans and make meaningful sales.
Please note that acceptance is not first-come, first-served. We encourage you to take your time when submitting your application to give yourself the best chance at being selected.
Artist Alley Table Pricing
AA Table Info
Details
Table Fee
$350
Included Badges
1 Artist Badge
Additional Badges
Up to 2 additional badges at $60 each
Table Setup Includes
One 8' x 2.5' table, tablecloth, 2 chairs, approx. 5 ft of rear space
Artist Alley Application Process
- Application opening and closing dates will be announced on the official Youmacon website and social media channels. A direct link to the application will be provided at that time.
- Youmacon uses a juried selection process to ensure a high-quality experience for both artists and attendees. This is not first-come, first-served.
- Please complete your application carefully and ensure all portfolio links are functional and accessible without login requirements.
- Include at least one photo of your table setup—either from a previous convention or a home setup.
- After the application period closes, the review process will take approximately four weeks.
- Accepted artists will receive an email notification followed by an invoice.
- Once all tables are filled, the remaining applicants will be notified of their waitlist status. The waitlist will remain active until one week before the convention.
- Each artist or studio is limited to one table. If the AA is given more hall space, some double table spaces will be offered to those who indicate their interest in the AA application.
- Table placement requests will be considered but are not guaranteed. Final placements and the list of accepted artists will be emailed closer to the event.
- Dual exhibiting is not permitted. You can apply for both halls if you qualify based on the rules of each hall but can only display/sell in one hall.
- A finalized vendor list and booth map will be shared closer to the event.
- A mandatory Certificate of Insurance is required for artists and vendors to exhibit during Youmacon at Huntington Place in Detroit, MI and it is the responsibility of each artist to obtain the coverage. More details will follow.
Artist Alley Rules and Policies
- Artists must be 18 years old to apply for the 2025 Youmacon Artist Alley.
- The primary artist is responsible for all badge holders assigned to their table.
- The primary artist must be at their table for most of the marketplace open hours including VIP hours.
- Table sharing is not allowed.
- Studios must have all members present and only the collaborative art can be displayed and sold.
- AA tables are not refundable.
- Artists can have full fanart tables. Original art is always encouraged.
- Artists will be limited to one table.
- Artist/business must be displayed on your table.
- A.I. created art is not permitted.
- All table set-ups must stay within your table space boundaries. This includes chairs, payment stations, extra stock, etc.
- Proxy/Agented selling is not allowed.
- Your government ID must match the legal name on your application to check-in at the con.
- Photo bashing and collaging of official art is not allowed.
- 3D printing, wood burning, carving, etching, etc., files must be the artist's original work, and proof must be provided if asked.
- Artists can purchase additional badges, but only 2 people are permitted behind the table at one time.
- Food and drink sales are not permitted in the artist alley hall.
- 18+ merch must be kept behind the table and covered. You must check the ID of any attendee to verify they are at least 18 years old if they are interested in viewing any 18+ merch.
- We will have a dedicated adults only/18+ artist area where IDs will be checked before attendees can enter which will allow you to openly display all adult merch without censorship. There is a question on the artist application to signify your interest in the 18+ table space.
- Depiction of minors, real or fictional, in adult situations is strictly prohibited.
- Any art of a graphic nature, including language, must be censored by covering it with tape or paper.
- Removal of any art will be up to the discretion of the marketplace staff.
- Any items of a racist, political, or hateful nature that are meant to provoke or harass attendees are strictly prohibited.
- Each artist is responsible for the security of their table and merchandise.
- Raffles and/or giveaways are not permitted.
- Tables must be claimed by 5:00 PM on Friday of the convention. Unclaimed tables will be reassigned on a first-come, first-served basis starting at noon that day.
- If you anticipate being late, email marketplace@youmacon.com to hold your table.
- The Marketplace Staff reserves the right to revoke artist and artist assistant status, Marketplace access, loading dock access at any time for any reason, without a refund.
- DO NOT START SETTING UP YOUR TABLE/ BOOTH SPACES UNTIL YOU HAVE MOVED YOUR VEHICLE OUT OF THE BUILDING!
- Any violation of the rules will affect your Marketplace application for future years.
- Youmacon Artists are responsible for procuring their own parking and travel arrangements during Youmacon weekend.
This is not an exhaustive list, but simply some of the most common examples of prohibited items. The Marketplace Crew and convention management shall reserve final judgment regarding whether any given item is acceptable for sale in the Youmacon Marketplace.
Load-In and Load-Out Procedures
- A dock master will be present to direct vehicles to the appropriate entrance.
- Upon arrival at the Marketplace Hall, check in at the Marketplace staff table inside the dock entrance to receive your badges and table assignments.
- Vehicles must be turned off while parked inside the building.
- Do not begin unpacking or setting up until your vehicle has been moved out of the hall.
- Do not leave the hall while your vehicle is still inside.
- Do not block aisles with merchandise, as much as possible, during setup or teardown.
- More detailed load-in and load-out information will be available closer to con.
Loading Dock Entrance Address: 600 W Congress St Detroit, MI 48226
Thursday Setup – October 30, 2025
- Setup access: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
- Loading dock access: 12:00 PM (subject to change) – 7:00 PM.
- All vehicles must exit the hall by 7:00 PM.
- Vendors and Artists may continue setting up until 10:00 PM.
Friday Setup – October 31, 2025
- Loading dock access: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
- All vehicles must be out by 10:00 AM.
- All tables must be fully set up and aisles cleared by 12:30 PM for VIP and accessibility access.
Alternative Loading Options
- If using the front entrance, you must unload all items at once and move your vehicle immediately.
- It is recommended to bring a second person to assist with unloading or parking.
- You may also use the convention center parking garage. Note: parking fees apply.
Sunday Teardown – November 2, 2025
- Teardown: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
- Loading dock doors open shortly after 4:00 PM.
- If you are using the loading dock, your table must be completely packed up before you get your load-out pass at the Marketplace staff table.
- Vehicles that try to enter the dock without a load-out pass will be sent to the back of the line.
- Once you get your load-out pass, you can join the line so you can drive up to your table to load out.
- Keep aisles clear (as much as possible) to ensure a smooth exit for all participants.
- If you need packing materials from your vehicle, you may join the dock line with a special pass from Marketplace staff, to unload them but must move your vehicle out of the hall before packing. You will need to make arrangements with Marketplace staff prior to load-out. When you’re finished packing up, you will receive a load-out pass to get in the dock line to bring your vehicle back in.
- All artists must be fully cleared out by 8:00 PM. Late departures may incur additional charges.
Participation and Liability Waiver
- Assumption of Risk: Participation in Youmacon activities—including panels, cosplay, the Marketplace, workshops, contests, and social events—carries inherent risks such as personal injury, property damage, illness (including communicable diseases), and other unforeseen events. You voluntarily accept full responsibility for these risks.
- Release of Liability: In exchange for being allowed to participate, you release and hold harmless Youmacon, its organizers, affiliates, sponsors, vendors, artists, volunteers, venue owners, and staff from any and all claims or liabilities arising from your participation, including those resulting from negligence, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
- Code of Conduct: You agree to comply with all event rules, policies, and instructions, including the official Code of Conduct. Violations may result in removal from the event without a refund.
- Medical Authorization: In the event of an emergency, you authorize event staff to seek medical treatment on your behalf. You are financially responsible for any resulting medical expenses.
- Insurance: Youmacon does not provide health, accident, or liability insurance. It is your responsibility to obtain any desired coverage.
- Media Release: You grant Youmacon and its organizers permission to photograph, film, and record you during the event, and to use your likeness in promotional materials without compensation.
- Health and Safety: You understand that attending a public event may increase your risk of exposure to COVID-19 or other communicable diseases. You agree to follow all health and safety protocols in place during the event.
- Governing Law: This waiver is governed by the laws of the State of Michigan. Any disputes will be resolved in the courts of Wayne County, Michigan.
- Acknowledgment: By attending Youmacon 2025, you confirm that you have read, understood, and voluntarily agreed to the terms of this waiver.
Youmacon reserves the right to amend these rules at any time without prior or posted notice and reserves the sole right to interpretation.
