Schedule
Artisans application period starts 21.4.2025
Artisans application period ends 16.5.2025
Application results by 30.5.2025
Link to the application: CLICK HERE TO APPLY!
Artisan tables are intended for small entrepreneurs selling their own arts or crafts. The difference between an artisan and an artist in asrtis alley is that artisans have moved or are in the process of moving from a hobby to a business.
Artisans are located in the E-hall sales area, which is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday during opening hours. Outside of opening hours, the sales area is closed and locked to the public. A more detailed event schedule will be published and delivered to selected artisans closer to the event.
The artisan space includes only one table, and it is not possible to purchase an additional table or additional space for stands. However, it is recommended to use your own screens, backdrops, stands or other small furniture, as long as it is possible to leave the table safely, and the stands are sturdy and do not pose a danger or inconvenience to others. All structures must fit on top of or behind the table. It is also possible for artisans to apply for an exhibitor’s spot in the sales area if there is a need for a larger space.
It is possible to share an artisan’s spot with a friend. However, the application must state that the table will be shared and both portfolios must be presented during the application process. A shared artisan’s table requires a separate assistant vendor ticket, which is detailed below.
Our general sellers terms and conditions apply to artisans when applicable. We require our artisans to have some personal touch visible on the sales items.
Application
For artist alley and artisans, you can apply with a portfolio via an electronic form. With the portfolio, we want to ensure that the items for sale are suitable for our event.
The portfolio can be a website or a PDF file from a Powerpoint/Canva presentation. The website or PDF needs to be specifically made to be a portfolio. We do not accept social medias as portfolios, as social media is not necessarily the most representative format for your products. We also do not accept a direct link to Canva, Slides or other similar slide tools as a portfolio!
First, export your portfolio as a PDF file, which can be conveniently shared by uploading it to Google Drive / Dropbox or other similar cloud service. Please make sure that the link to the portfolio is working and can be viewed by anyone who has received the link!
Contents of the portfolio:
Start your portfolio with a short introduction to you and your art and products.
Add a picture of your logo, brand, or any other picture you would like to include in your potential presentation on the website. A picture of your brand does not count towards the maximum number of pictures.
Present your art or products with at least 8 pictures. You can have a maximum of 15 pictures of your products, and any pictures exceeding this will not be considered in the application. So, please choose as recent and as completed works as possible for your portfolio. It is also a good idea to describe the pictures with a concise caption.
We hope that the portfolio includes a picture of your previous sales table and a description of your alley/exhibition experience.
In the portfolio of several applicants, you can make a joint presentation and image for the website presentation, but each applicant adds their own product images and clearly marks them so that the jury can easily distinguish which product belongs to whom. Each applicant has the same quota of 8-15 images. Please use one file/website, i.e. no additional hyperlinks.
The subject matter of the products is free. The themes of Kotae Expo include Japanese and Korean popular culture, so we recommend that the products are suitable for these themes. However, this is not mandatory, as versatility in products is always a wealth.
The products can be, for example, prints, stickers, books, zines, games, pins, jewelry, figurines, crafts or other pieces of art. However, it is essential that they are designed and made by the applicant. However, the artist can order their products from a manufacturer.
When applying for an artisan table, you can make requests for the location of your table, if there is a need to take accessibility into account or if you would like to be situated next to a friend. We will try to fulfill your requests to the best of our abilities, but we cannot guarantee their implementation. Once the application is closed, we will no longer accept requests.
AI generated art:
In Kotae Expo sales hall it is NOT allowed to sell art generated by AI. The event reserves the right, to remove vendors who violate the rules, from the venue.
Criteria
Only a limited number of tables have been reserved for artisans in the Kotae Expo sales area. If the number of artisan applicants exceeds the reserved quota, we will have to make choices. The artisan selections are not made in order of application, but Kotae Expo utilizes a jury method, which we strive to ensure that the selection in the sales area is diverse and appealing to our visitors. The jury consists of various corresponders from Kotae Expo, who bring a diverse view and experience to the selections. The selection criteria are similar to those of the artist alley.
Technical expertise: an assessment of your own style, the quality of the products and the experience visible in the products.
Versatility: the topicality, variety and diversity of the products offered.
Target audience: how well your product fits into the Kotae Expo’s emphases. Japanese and Korean pop culture, anime and manga.
Creativity: how original your work is, how much originality is evident in the work, your own stylization.
If a selected artisan has to cancel their participation before the event (see terms of sale), we will try to select a replacement using the methods mentioned above.
Prices and Artisan Table Package
Stand: 2 x 2 m
Furniture: 1 table (65 x 200 cm) and 2 chairs
Vendor passes: 2 pcs
Price: 200 €
The stand is encouraged to use its own screens, and racks behind or on the table. Other small furniture can be used as long as it is possible to leave the stand safely, and the stands are sturdy and do not pose a danger or inconvenience to others.
The number of vendor passes included in the Artisan seats is negotiable according to needs – with the note that the Artisan table includes two vendor passes and two weekend wristbands by default. Entry tickets for additional assistants must be purchased through the ticket office.
The vendor pass serves as a pass to the sales area during construction, maintenance, and dismantling times; it entitles you to enter the event area; gives the right to use the event’s public services such as a cloakroom and accommodations; and entitles access to the event organizers’ break room.
In case of problems or questions, please contact the artisan manager or finance: 0sako [at] kotae.fi , talous [at] kotae.fi
Additional information about the artisans’ practical matters and the event schedule will be sent to the selected participants well in advance of the event.
The event reserves the right to remove vendors who violate the rules from the alley or the sales hall.
Vendors must be at least 15 years old by the time of the event.
Selling AI images, i.e. images produced by artificial intelligence, is PROHIBITED in the Kotae Expo artist alley or artisan tables.
Vendors can make requests for the tables location. For example, if there is a need for accessibility or you want to be next to a friend. We will try to fulfill requests, but we may not be able to fulfill everyone’s wishes. Regarding accessibility, requests for table locations can be made even after the application period. However, changes to vendor locations will no longer be made after the map for them is published.
Selling racist, discriminatory or otherwise inappropriate content is PROHIBITED.
Kotae Expo is an event with no age limit and is intended for all ages, so material aimed at adults must be kept in its own separate folder. K-18 material includes products that are sexual, excessively violent or disturbing. These are only given to the customer to view after age verification. It is the responsibility of the vendor to ensure that minors do not browse K-18 material.
Only original or fanart is sold in the artist alley as various products. In other words, resale of any kind is PROHIBITED. The flea market is meant for reselling.
The products sold must be illustrated and designed by the artist themselves. Which means, a collage made from ready-made elements is not eligible for sale.
When selling fan art, please note that direct copies, drawn-through or traced images are PROHIBITED. The works should show the artist’s own handprint and should not resemble the original source work too much. For example, if you want to sell your own version of a classic painting, make sure that your own handprint is visible.
Each vendor is responsible for their own products, prices and funds. Do not leave your money and valuables unattended.
Vendors are responsible for the safety and stability of their own table structures.
No additional structures or stands may be set up next to the table. All structures must fit on top of or behind the table. 200 cm x 65 cm for artisans, 120 cm x 70 cm for artist alley. Structures may exceed the table by a maximum of ~2 cm.
Vendors are encouraged to bring banners, pennants, etc. to their tables to color their table or, alternatively, their background.
Please be considerate of other alley vendors and leave enough space behind and to the sides of the tables, and do not disturb others with excessive noise or inappropriate behavior.
Suitcases and other items related to transportation must be kept away from the walkways. They can be stored under the table or in the cloakroom.
It is prohibited to sell products from a person who has not applied or been accepted as a vendor at the table.
Unauthorized loitering behind the tables is PROHIBITED.