APPLICATIONS TO EXHIBIT AT CAKE 2026 Are Now open!
The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE) 2026 will take place on May 2nd and 3rd 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.
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 2026. Applicants will be evaluated by our Organizers and Coordinators based on the information volunteered within the application. Applicants deemed eligible 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 aims to prioritize works from artists with diverse lived experiences and aesthetics. The Organizers and Coordinators will conduct an audit after the lottery to ensure the show reflects this diversity.
Getting accepted to exhibit at CAKE one year does not guarantee you will be selected for CAKE every year. Each year there are many artists we would love to invite to exhibit at CAKE but can’t due to the size of our show, our lottery process, and our effort to make space for new creators. We encourage all artists to apply regardless of how often you have or have not exhibited with us, and appreciate the understanding that we endeavor to balance all of these factors when preparing our show.
In order to feature as many artists as we can in our venue, 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 applying.
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 understand comics can take many forms. Specifically we are looking for examples of narrative storytelling through sequential images. We’re looking for applicants with a significant body of physical work - to that end, one of your samples must be a photo representing your printed work. If we don’t see evidence of printed comics, your application will be deemed ineligible for CAKE.
Additionally, the remaining sample links should not be single images or splash pages/covers. 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 examples here. If you have any questions about your samples, or what we mean by a physical printed work, please email exhibitors@cakechicago.com.
What Happens Next?
After applications close, CAKE Organizers and Coordinators will follow the selection process above in order to determine the list of accepted applicants. Following that process, we will 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 as spots will inevitably open up.
