Artist Alley Lottery and Retailer Pre-Boarding is Open!

Are you an artist, creator, or retailer with a passion for Japanese pop culture, anime, manga, and beyond? Anime Central (ACen) is excited to announce that the artist alley lottery and retailer pre-boarding applications for our 2026 convention are now officially open! As the Midwest’s largest anime convention, we bring together thousands of fans each year for an unforgettable celebration of all things anime and Japanese culture. This is your chance to share your unique work and products with a vibrant, enthusiastic community of fans, collectors, and supporters from all over the world.

Anime Central is not just a convention; it’s a community where fans, artists, and creators come together to connect and celebrate the art, stories, and creativity they love. As a featured artist or vendor, you’ll be part of a space that draws thousands of attendees who are excited to explore new art, discover products, and find one-of-a-kind items they can only get at ACen.

For artists, this is an opportunity to gain visibility, build your fanbase, and even network with others in the industry. Whether you’re known for your original artwork, fan art, comics, crafts, or unique handmade items, the Artist Alley is the ideal place to showcase your creativity and talent to a highly engaged crowd.

For retailers, ACen provides a fantastic opportunity to bring your products directly to anime and pop culture fans, many of whom come with a strong intention to buy exclusive, high-quality, and hard-to-find items. From collectibles and cosplay accessories to figures, clothing, and imports, your business will be front and center for attendees looking to bring a piece of ACen home with them.

As a starting point, you should review the artist exhibition rules for Anime Central before submitting any information to us. Not only will this help you understand what to expect if selected to participate in our artist alley, it will answer most of the questions you may have about selling at our convention. Such as what can and cannot be sold.

The lottery is open to both new and returning artists interested in being in our alley. Artist’s will need to fill out the following lottery form before the submission deadline. Anime Central will select artists by a product category lottery. From the list of submissions, we will randomly select artist to fill the available slots in each product category. A list of the product categories can be found further down this page.

Artists that are selected will receive an activation link to choose their table placement, purchase additional badges for their studio mates, and finalize their registration.

For Retailers, Pre-boarding is open to both new and returning companies interested in being a retailer.  Potential retailers will need to fill out the following pre-boarding form before the submission deadline. Retailers that are selected will receive an activation link to choose their booth placement and finalize their registration.

So what are you waiting for? Submit your application today, and join us for a fantastic year at Anime Central!