*ASSEMBLY REQUIRED
presents the
PHILADELPHIA
Designer Toy Art Festival
23rd Street Armory
August 8-10, 2025
VVVVVVV
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Are you a designer, bootleg or art toy maker? Is your work eclectic &/or retro, complimenting the art toy subculture? If yes, then you are exactly where you need to be...
*Assembly Required is more than just a toy show — it's a celebration of imagination, artistry, and independent creation. Founded in 2019 by sculptor and filmmaker Matthew J. Casale, *Assembly Required began in Asheville, North Carolina as a grassroots gathering of underground toy artists, sculptors, and collectors united by a shared passion for handmade, original work.
Built on the belief that toys can be art and artists deserve a stage, *Assembly Required became one of the only events in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to independent designer toys, resin figures, bootlegs, customs, and pop-surrealist collectibles.
In 2025, the event comes to Philadelphia, expanding into a new chapter at the historic 23rd Street Armory. With this move comes a renewed focus: to shine a spotlight on independent creators, helping them elevate their brands, grow their audiences, and unlock new opportunities through direct connection with fans, collectors, and the broader creative industry.
We proudly welcome artists of all backgrounds—from breakout sculptors to established scene veterans—and invite attendees of all ages to explore a vibrant community where toys, art, and expression collide.
New for 2025: the Designer Toy Art Festival
This year, *Assembly Required joins forces with creative powerhouses GoHero and POP Solutions to bring an elevated experience to Philadelphia — launching a curated activation within the show called the Designer Toy Art Festival.
GoHero, a trailblazer in boutique collectible design, and POP Solutions, a veteran creative agency specializing in branding, storytelling, and pop culture strategy, are teaming up to amplify the mission of *Assembly Required. Together, they’re helping to spotlight emerging talent, enhance collector engagement, and transform the event into a next-level experience for artists and fans alike.
Through immersive exhibits, limited-edition exclusives, and hands-on opportunities for creators to share their stories, the Designer Toy Art Festival aims to celebrate the independent toy movement while opening doors to licensing, retail, and media collaborations.
This partnership marks a bold step forward — and it makes the 2025 Philadelphia edition of *Assembly Required unlike any toy show you've attended before.
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If you are interested in participating in an echo chamber of inspiration, and surrounding yourself with your people, please complete the application below for our BRAND NEW PHILADELPHIA event.
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This is a curated event and to stay true to our focus and theme, please submit examples of your work to determine eligibility.
Credit Cards are NOT charged upon applying.
Credit Cards are ONLY charged as a registration fee
if you are approved to participate.
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Everything has to be in order.
Everyone’s signed?
Yes.
Good.
On we go!
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So why Philadelphia?
“In the ever-evolving landscape of American cities, Philadelphia has carved out a prominent niche as a hub of arts and culture”, its “collaborative spirit has fueled its artistic renaissance”. In 2025, USA Today voted Philly “Best City in America for Street Art”, for a second time! For more than four decades, the city has been known as the "Mural Capital of the World," mainly thanks to Mural Arts Philadelphia, which is behind more than 4,000 of the city's murals. “This win — along with Philly’s other recent USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award for the Most Walkable City in America — joins the city’s growing list of recent awards [and] accolades [...]. In the past year alone [Philly] has been named a top travel destination by Tripadvisor, one of the 50 best cities in the world by Time Out, and one of the nation’s best food cities by Condé Nast Traveler.”
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SHARING BOOTH SPACE
Please remember that this is a curated event.
All artists must be approved.
If you want to share a space with another artist, please add their name & email address to the field requesting it below. They will be sent an application form as well.
If you are considering sharing your table and decide at a later date to do so, please let us know ASAP, as an additional review of your guests' work will need to occur to confirm their eligibility for the show.
Deviation from this policy will impact eligibility in future *Assembly Required events.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions about this or anything else at info@assebmly-required.net or DM us on Instagram at @_AssemblyRequired_ .
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Referral Discount Program – Save on Your Application!
Whether you're a returning artist or a first-time applicant, Assembly Required Philadelphia is excited to offer a new way to save on your application through our Referral Discount Program!
How it works:
- When an artist applies, they must include “Referred by [Your Name]” in the Special Requests section of their application.
- If the artist you referred is accepted, you receive 20% off your registration fee!
It's that simple.
If you’re not registered yet and are only just applying, both you and your referral must be accepted in order for you to receive the 20% off your application. If you’re already registered, you’ll receive a 20% rebate to the card you used to apply.
No limits — refer as many artists as you want!
For every accepted artist you refer, you’ll receive another 20% rebate. Depending on your table/space size and the number of referrals, this could even add up to a free table/space!
Let your friends know — *Assembly Required Philadelphia is better with you all there!
