Sponsored Artist Submissions FAQ
KWF SDCC Sponsored Artist Frequently Asked Questions
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San Diego Comic Con International is in July every year. Selected Sponsored Artist should plan on arriving in San Diego no later than the morning of "Preview Night", 2027 -- exact dates TBD.
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You can apply for the SDCC sponsorship program here.
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We're looking for creatives in the popular visual arts including drawing, painting, digital, photography, sculpture, filmmaking, animation, illustration, and original concept art.
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For SDCC 2026, we are NOT accepting AI generative art (Midjourney, crAIyon, DALL-E, et al), though the use of digital tools (e.g., ProCreate) is acceptable.
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We will be accepting applications from July 22nd, 2026 through Saturday, October 31st, 2026.
All applications must be received by 11:59pm Pacific Time, October 31st, 2026! -
We plan to announce our selected Sponsored Artist late December/early January. Please join our mailing list and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date!
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A panel of judges including KWF Board of Directors members, consulting artists, and/or industry experts. -
Rene Lafargue is coordinating this program, he can be reached via email at rene (@) kevinworkmanfoundation.org.
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KWF is looking for promising, up-and-coming artists or creative professionals who use technology in novel ways to
inspire or advance the fields of popular visual arts. -
We are evaluating the costs associated with paying travel expenses and may be able to assist with some travel costs pending sufficient Foundation budget resources available in early 2027. The sponsored artist should plan to pay their own travel expenses.
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Yes, applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
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Yes! However, we are unable to provide assistance with travel logistics: any passport, visa, or regulatory applications and permits are the sole responsibility of the Sponsored Artist and traveling companion (1), if any.
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Yes. KWF will provide exhibit space, but you will need to provide your own promotional materials, merchandise, and standard 10'x10' "trade show booth" display gear. The ability to accept and process credit/debit card transactions is highly recommended but not required.
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The KWF booth is located in the Exhibitor Hall, historically booth #934. Look for Kevin Workman Foundation in the Comic-Con Directory. The exact booth location assigned to us by CCI each year is subject to change and not within our control.
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The KWF Sponsored Artist booth is 10'x10', and you will have most or all of that space. -
KWF will provide 2 (Two) 4-day badges.
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Yes.
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Yes, and live commissions or demonstrations (drawing, painting, etc.,) are encouraged.
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Our booth is subject to the rules and regulations of the San Diego Comic Con, including the Adult Material Display Rules.
Our preference is to not display "adult" material, but understand that this is somewhat subjective. -
Yes, we encourage you to make the most of the show. We will keep an eye on your booth, but we will not be able to sell your art/products on your behalf.
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If there is a member of the KWF staff scheduled to be in the booth during the time you are away and you coordinate with them in advance, we are always happy to help.
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Generally speaking -- very few. While not an absolute requirement, we anticipate that any artist selected will be active on social media, including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), and Threads, and we would appreciate timely reciprocity (reactions, re-posts, replies, comments, etc.) to our promotional posts / announcements on these platforms. We will ask that you appear in promotional photographs before, during, and/or after Comic-Con, and we may request that you participate in short-form promotional "interview"-format videos, which may appear on our website, social media channels, and/or video channels (e.g., YouTube).