Artist Application

Thank you for your interest in being a part of our Artist Alley for AnimeNJ++ 2026! We have updated some of our rules and policies, so please take the time to read them carefully before submitting your application. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

AnimeNJ++ 2026 will be held November 13th-15th, 2026 at the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights/Meadowlands in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. We will continue to have our Artist Alley in our Exhibitors Hall, sharing the space between Artists and Vendors, similar to 2025. We have approximately 29 tables, 3 of which offer corner spaces.

All Artist Alley spaces offer 6ft tables, and you are able to use up to 0.5ft on either side of your table, and 6ft deep from the start of the table (i.e. 7ft x 6ft spot). Tables comes with one (1) badge, one (1) chair, and one (1) table. Standard tables are $350; Corner tables are $450.

As the space is subject to change, if any changes are made to the way the layout is, such as spot size or corner availablity, you will have the option of a full refund at that time. Electricity and Internet are not included.

Currently, the Exhibitors Hall hours are as follows (subject to change):

• Friday: 12pm - 7pm
• Saturday: 10am - 7pm
• Sunday: 10am - 3pm

Setup will begin on Thursday; further information will be available closer to convention.

AnimeNJ++ selects all artists via a jury process. In order to aid in this process, we ask that you include a link to online pictures of your table, catalog, or portfolio provided in the application form. We receive many more applications than we are able to accept and having samples of your space provided to us will greatly aid in our process. Having a juried Artist Alley will ensure a wide variety of artists that can bring their best quality wares to our attendees.

AnimeNJ++ reserves the right to rescind acceptance in the case of a failed payment process. Please make sure payment information is accurate at the time of submission.

You can learn more about AnimeNJ++ at https://animenj.com/exhibitors/.

Artist Alley Policies

All registered artists agree to the following:

• Artists must be at least 18 years of age as of November 13th, 2026.
• Artists must abide by all convention policies.
• No bootlegs or unlicensed reproductions of existing merchandise.
• No proxy selling; the original artist must be in attendance (exceptions may be made in emergency circumstances or on a case-by-case basis.
• AnimeNJ++ will not cover any costs of travel or lodging.
• Be respectful to AnimeNJ++ staff, Hilton Hasbrouck Heights/Meadowlands staff, and your fellow exhibitors.

Items that MAY be sold in Artist Alley include:

• Products featuring your own original creations.
• Commissioned and hand-drawn works.
• Unique, individual, handmade items.
• Doujinshi, fanzines, and similar items.
• Fan art that is explicitly your own work, not that of the license holder.

Items that MAY NOT be sold in Artist Alley include:

• AI-generated artwork.
• Copied or traced artwork.
• Bootleg merchandise.
• Dangerous merchandise, including, but not limited to: weapons, loud noisemakers, combustible items, and items that could easily cause harm.
• Any posters, idol cards, etc., which read “Kodak”, “Fuji”, etc. on the back.
• Legal merchandise either imported or bought from an American company, such as figures, manga, wall scrolls, art supplies, etc.
• Unlicensed reproductions of any products, regardless of whether they are released by an American company.
• Food, snacks, beverages, or items of the sort.
• Holding giveaways, raffles, or other games of chance.

Any violation will come with a warning, at which time you will be asked to remove the offending merchandise from the premises. Failure to comply or a subsequent violation is cause for removal from the convention and forfeiture of all fees.

AnimeNJ++ has a strict, NO BOOTLEG policy. We will have zero-tolerance for any artists that do not comply with our policies regarding bootlegs and trademark violations. Failure to comply with this policy is cause for removal from the convention and forfeiture of all fees.

Artist Alley Check-In

Artists must check in at the Exhibitors table prior to occupying their tables in the Artist Alley to receive their convention information and badges. All tables will be assigned and labeled. Artists may not swap tables. Artists that fail to check in by 11am on Friday of the convention will forfeit their tables without refund, unless they have made prior arrangements for a later check-in with the Exhibitor Coordinator.

Sharing

AnimeNJ++ does not allow the sharing of space less agreed upon in advance.  If you are shown doing this during the event, AnimeNJ++ reserves the right to ask you to leave the event with no refund granted.

Appropriate Sales and Conduct

Artists may only sell their own work in the Artist Alley. Artists will not sell commercial merchandise at their table, unless it is their own work. Any table, artist, or artist’s assistant found to be selling misappropriated or plagiarized merchandise is at risk of forfeiting their table and may not be considered for next year’s Artist selection. Forfeited tables will not be refunded. The practice of hawking, loudly, and aggressively calling attention to your table and disrupting those around you, is strictly prohibited. Artists will check IDs of persons to ensure they are 18 years or older before allowing them to view or purchase adult materials. Artists will ensure that any such works are to be in separate and clearly labeled folders from other work. The acceptability of displays of adult material is at the sole discretion of the Exhibitors Coordinator. Commissioned artwork of an adult nature must be conducted in a discrete manner. Solicitation of minors for material that is adult in nature is strictly prohibited. AnimeNJ++ reserves the right to remove any artist whose behavior is disruptive to staff, other artists, and convention members. 

Failure to comply with the above statements and warnings will result in removal from Artist Alley and forfeiture of all payments without refund. 

Taxes and Licenses

AnimeNJ++ is not responsible for obtaining any licenses or permits required by local, state, and federal law for any artists within the Artist Alley. Artists will be solely responsible for obtaining any tax identification numbers and paying all taxes, license fees, and any charges that will come due to any governmental authority in connection with their activity at AnimeNJ++.

Promotional Rights

Artist grants AnimeNJ++ the right to list Artist's name in our advertising and on our website and link to the Artist's website. AnimeNJ++ grants the same reciprocal right to the Artist.

Security

Please be aware that though Artist Alley is located in a lockable room there will be limited security monitoring the room after closing hours. Artists are responsible for securing their own works and material when not present at their tables. AnimeNJ++ is not responsible for the loss or damage to the material and works of Artists.

Liability

“The exhibitor assumes the entire responsibility and liability for losses, damages, and claims arising out of exhibitor’s activities on the Hotel premises and will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Hotel, its owner, and its management company, as well as their representative agents, servants, and employees from any such losses, damages, and claims.”

Neither AnimeNJ++ or the Hilton Woodcliff Lake, nor any of their representatives will be responsible for any injury, loss or damage that may occur to the Artist or to the Artist’s associates or property from any cause whatsoever. The Artist at their own discretion shall obtain, at his or her own expense, adequate insurance against such injury, loss, or damage, and provide proof of said insurance to AnimeNJ++ prior to the convention dates. AnimeNJ++ shall not be liable for failure to perform its obligations under this contract as a result of strikes, riots, acts of God, or any other cause of any kind whatsoever not within the control of AnimeNJ++. Anyone visiting, viewing or otherwise participating in the dealer exhibit is deemed to be the invitee or licensee of the dealer, rather than the invitee or licensee of AnimeNJ++. AnimeNJ++ shall not be liable for any injury whatsoever to the property of the exhibitor or the persons conducting or otherwise participating in the conduct of the exhibit or the invitees or guests of the artist and the Artist hereby indemnifies AnimeNJ++ for all such injuries and claims.

The artist understands that neither AnimeNJ++ nor the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights maintains insurance covering the artist’s property and it is the sole responsibility of the Artist to obtain such insurance.

There is no other agreement or warranties between the Artist and AnimeNJ++ except as set forth in this document. The rights of AnimeNJ++ under this contract shall not be deemed waived unless specifically stated in writing and signed by an authorized officer of AnimeNJ++. Any action which AnimeNJ++ or Artist may bring against each other, based upon or in any way relating to this Artist Contract or its performance, shall be brought in Federal or State court located within the State of New Jersey. AnimeNJ++ and Artist hereby waive all questions of personal jurisdiction or venue in order to give effect of this provision.

AnimeNJ++ reserves the right to remove any artist whose behavior is disruptive to staff, other artists, and/or convention members. If another member of the artist's staff remains, the remaining staff may continue to operate their space, otherwise they will be forced to vacate their space and remove their merchandise. Each Artist is responsible for, and it hereby indemnifies AnimeNJ++ so that it is not responsible for, any claims or liability arising from the Artist's actions

Severability

Should any provision of this document be rendered or declared invalid by reason of any existing or subsequently enacted legislation or by any decree by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidation of such part or portion of this document shall not invalidate the remaining portions, and they shall remain in full force and effect.