APPLICATIONS TO EXHIBIT AT CAKE 2025 ARE NOW OPEN!
The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE) 2025 will take place on June 28th and 29th at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago’s Mayfair neighborhood.
CAKE's standard table space is a half-table (3’ x 2.5’).
A registration fee of $110 for a half-table and $250 for a full table is due upon acceptance into CAKE. There is no application fee.
APPLY HERE!
The application period opens on Friday, February 21st, and will close on Saturday, March 8th. We encourage you to take your time and put together a strong application.
Applicants will receive either an invitation to the show or a notification of placement on the waitlist by early April.
Please direct any questions you may have to exhibitors@cakechicago.com
About The SELECTION PROCESS
To ensure a mix of returning and new exhibitors as well as an inclusive representation of our community, we will be using a Curation/Lottery approach for CAKE 2025. Applicants will be evaluated by our Organizers and Coordinators based on the information volunteered within this application. Applicants deemed appropriate for CAKE will then be entered into a lottery.
CAKE aims to highlight the best artists working in independent and alternative comics; with an equal care for established and emerging, small press publishers and self-publishing artists. As such, our lottery will be separated to be roughly a 50/50 split between returning and new exhibitors. CAKE also prioritizes being a demographically inclusive show that reflects, encourages and advances the full diversity of artists working in our community, including women, people of color, and the LGBTQIA+ community. The Organizers and Coordinators will conduct an audit after the lottery to ensure the show reflects this diversity.
Please note: CAKE 2025 will be a more intimate show than 2024, with roughly half the exhibitor spaces available. While this is a result of the realities of our new venue, it is also a conscious choice based on feedback we received from our community about their needs and experiences at our previous events. We appreciate the understanding that CAKE’s number of exhibitors may fluctuate annually until we find a permanent home for the show, and welcome continued community feedback!
Additionally, in order to feature as many artists as we can in a smaller space, we are continuing the practice we began last year – solo artists or artist duos will be placed at half table spaces only. Once again, we appreciate your understanding and hope this doesn’t deter anyone from
FAQs
What Information is Requested on the Application?
When applications are open, there will be an online form with the following sections: contact information, about you, samples of your work, promotional information, help us improve CAKE, and the fine print.
What Samples Should I Share?
We are a comics-focused show, so please highlight comics work here. We will be looking for full comics or chapters where you are able to tell a story. For the most part, the sample links should not be single images or splash pages/covers. CAKE loves crafts, stationary, and prints but we ask that exhibitors focus at least 75% of their table space on comics. This is your chance to curate what the reviewers see, so be sure you are giving them the best possible experience and introduction to your relevant work! You can see an example here.
What Happens Next?
After applications close, CAKE Organizers and Coordinators will follow the selection process above curate the final list of applicants and send out invitations and waitlist notifications. If accepted, be sure to secure your spot by paying the table fee before the given deadline. If waitlisted, keep an eye on your email for updates should a spot open up.
