Frequently Asked Questions for Artists
If you have any additional questions that were not answered by the FAQ section, please contact our Artists' Area staff.
General Information
What is the Artists' Area and where is it located?
The Artists' Area is a space provided for artists who wish to sell and promote their artwork, as well as draw new works on commission. It can be found in the Exhibition Hall (room 220BCDE).
What are the operating hours of the Artists' Area?
| Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Hours | Closed to attendees | 10:00 - 19:00 | 10:00 - 19:00 | 10:00 - 17:00 |
What is included in the price of a table?
- ONE Artist Badge is included. Additional badges for secondary artist or helpers can be purchased at regular convention prices;
- TWO chairs;
- One white cloth to cover the table. We encourage artists to bring their own cloth to cover their merchandise during closing.
No additional chairs or tables will be provided or permitted.
Electricity and Internet services are not included, but you may purchase it from the Palais des congrès de Montréal for a fee.
What can and cannot be sold at an artist table?
The following can be sold:
- All artworks created by you and for which you hold the copyright.
The following cannot be sold:
- Manipulated images, traced images, or images copied from official artworks.
- Replicas of existing merchandise. This includes, but is not limited to, logos and emblems from anime and game series, such as Attack on Titan, Pokémon or Final Fantasy.
- AI-generated images.
- Any food items. None may be sold or distributed.
Please see section 3.4 of the Artists’ Area information page for a complete list.
Can I organize a stamp rally or participate in one?
Artists can host stamp rallies or participate in them, as long as they are free. Artists cannot require participants to purchase merchandise in exchange for participation in a stamp rally, to obtain a stamp at a checkpoint, or to collect any prize(s).
Can I sell the artwork of another artist if I have their permission?
Proxy selling of merchandise will not be allowed in 2025. Artists who wish to sell at Otakuthon must be present physically at the convention.
Do you accept out-of-country artists?
Yes. However, international artists are responsible for abiding by the laws of their respective countries in regards to dealing with sellers’ permits, work visas, and other applicable laws and regulations.
What is the difference between the waitlist and the firesale list?
A number of artists who were not selected for a table will be drawn for the waitlist.
The firesale list is a separate list for artists who wish to be contacted at the last minute in case there are artists who do not show up on the first day of the convention (Friday). They must be ready at a short notice to set up their table for the remaining days of the convention.
Applying to the Artists’ Area
I am under 18 years old. Can I still apply to the Artists’ Area?
No. All artists applying must be 18 years or older, but group members (helpers) can be 16 years or older. If any artist in an Artist Group is selling mature content, all group members must be 18 years or older.
How many tables can I reserve?
Artists can apply once in each Artists’ Area section. This means they can apply for one (1) Premium Table and one (1) Regular Table. If an artist is selected for both areas, however, they must choose which table to keep. A maximum of one (1) table can be reserved per main artist, regardless of section.
If an artist is found to be selling on multiple artist tables, they will be removed from the convention grounds without compensation or refund.
Can I purchase an artist table AND a dealer space?
No. It is only possible to book ONE (1) table in the Artists’ Area OR ONE (1) space in the Dealers’ Area. Please contact Artists’ Area (artistsarea@otakuthon.com) or Dealers’ Area (dealers@otakuthon.com) if you are unsure which space to book in.
Can I purchase a table for a single day?
No. Artists must be present at their table throughout the entire convention. Any artist who leaves their table empty before the convention has finished may be less likely to obtain a table in future applications.
I have submitted my application, but I would like to make changes. Who should I contact?
If you need to make changes to your artist application form after submission, please contact Artists’ Area staff (artistsarea@otakuthon.com) with your first and last name, along with a brief explanation of what you would like changed.
I am part of a club, collective, or college. Can I apply for an artist table?
If you are representing a club (e.g. a Comic Book Club) or are part of a collective, you are eligible for a table, provided you have participated in the creation of the artworks or crafted merchandise that will be sold.
You must go through the application process to obtain a table. No priority is given to clubs or collectives.
I cannot attend Otakuthon. How do I cancel my table? Will I receive a refund?
If you can no longer attend Otakuthon or do not wish to keep your table, please contact the Artists’ Area staff (artistsarea@otakuthon.com) as soon as possible to make alternate arrangements. Please note that badges are non-refundable, and only a refund of 50% will be issued for any cancellations made before July 25, 2025. Any cancellation after this date is non-refundable.
I cannot attend Otakuthon. Can I sell my table to a friend or to another artist?
Artist tables are non-transferable. If an artist forfeits their table, it will go to the next person on the waitlist. Any artist found reselling their table will be blacklisted in future event applications.
During the Convention
How do I obtain electricity and/or Internet services during the convention?
Electricity, telephone, or Internet services may be ordered from the Palais des congrès de Montréal facilities for a fee. Please fill out the request forms available on their website.
Can I bring my own chair(s) or table(s) in addition to the ones available at the convention?
A full table and two chairs are provided. No additional chairs or tables will be provided or permitted.
Can I eat at my table?
Yes! Artists can eat within the Artists’ Area, as long as they keep their space clean. Any allocated spaces found to be excessively dirty at the end of the convention will have the cleaning charges billed back to the respective participants.
It is highly recommended to bring a garbage bag for any waste. Remember to eat and stay hydrated for the duration of the convention!
Can I ask a staff member to watch my table?
No. Please plan ahead and register a helper before the deadline. Only staff and individuals with an artist badge may operate behind a table in the Artists’ Area.
For liability reasons, artists may not ask any family member, friend, or regular attendee who does not have an artist badge to watch their table.
How many people can stay behind the table during the opening hours?
A maximum of two people are allowed behind a table at any given time to prevent overcrowding. If an Artist Group consists of three people, all three members cannot be present behind the table at the same time. Please plan a rotation system to provide breaks.
After closing, will my merchandise be safe?
The Palais des congrès de Montréal’s cleaning staff will be inside the Exhibition Hall after closing. Security guards will monitor the Exhibition Hall overnight during cleaning on Friday and Saturday. However, we recommend that artists do not leave any valuables such as a cash box or expensive merchandise. Otakuthon will not be held liable for any losses that occur at any time during the convention.
If I have any issues during the convention, who should I go to?
If you encounter any issues during the convention, please seek out any Exhibition Hall staff member or volunteer. They will be wearing the Otakuthon bandana or shirt (red for staff, yellow for volunteers) and will be walking around the Exhibition Hall during the convention. You can also head to the information booth to speak to a staff member.