Artist Alley Registration

Artist Alley Registration will open at 12 noon EST on January 14th, 2012.

Artist Alley Rules and Regulations

These rules supersede and take precedence over any existing Tekkoshocon, INC. Artists' Alley rules as well as any forum or email advice. Artists assume full responsibility for reading these rules in full and, by submitting an application for a table in the 2012 Alley, agree to be legally bound by them. Questions regarding the rules can be directed to artists@tekkoshocon.com or posted in the Tekkoshocon Artists' Alley forum.

The text of these rules is copyright 2012 Tekkoshocon INC. All rights reserved. These rules may not be re-appropriated or duplicated in whole or in part without express, written permission from Tekkoshocon, INC.

The “Artist” as defined in these rules refers in specific instances to the person purchasing the space in which to sell their artwork, commonly referred to as a “table.” This individual is the primary party responsible for payment, table management, and is the sole contact that the Artists' Alley Department Head (AADH) will email, regardless of how many members are in the studio the “Artist” is representing, or if the “Artist” is sharing a table with another. This person is responsible for making sure that all artwork sold and displayed at his/her table meets all the guidelines established in these rules, that everyone working at his/her table adheres to the rules, and is liable for any issues that may arise.

All regular Tekkoshocon X rules apply.
All artists must be at least eighteen (18) years of age as of January 1^st, 2012. All table assistants (defined as those selling artwork, but not displaying any of their own) must be at least sixteen (16) years of age. A table employing minor (defined by theCommonwealth ofPA as a person being under the age of 18) table assistants may not sell Mature (18+) art.
All Artists and table assistants must be registered for the 2012 Tekkoshocon convention. Staff, Dealers and Guests (unless otherwise arranged in their contract) are prohibited from participating in the Alley as Artist or Assistants.
Up to five (5) people, including the Artist, can be registered to any one table. However, no more than two (2) people can be behind any table at any time.
All artists must have a current Pennsylvania (PA) state tax license. The ID number must be submitted with the payment, and a copy (not the original) must be given to staff upon check in. The original or a copy must be kept at the table at all times. Artists who fail to submit an ID number with payment will have their application rejected.
Artists are given one (1) six foot by thirty inch (6' x 30”) table and two chairs only. Tables may not be moved from their prearranged layout. Artists may not use a table other than the one assigned to them by Artists' Alley staff. Table layout for the convention will be available before registration begins. Please nore that this year, there will be a limited number of table spaces that are larger than normal. These detials will be available when the layout is posted. Artists who wish to use the space in an alternate manner, such as a clothing rack or a cutout display, must make arrangements before the convention. Displays cannot extend into the aisles or into other artists' areas. Doors cannot be blocked under any circumstances. Nothing may be hung on the walls or stapled into the tables. The room must be left in a “broom clean” condition. Artists who leave an exorbitant amount of trash in the alley will have their next application for any Tekkoshocon, INC. Artists' Alley or Dealers' Room event rejected.
Artists are limited to two (2) adjoining tables in the Alley. No proxy selling is permitted. Artists must be present at the table at which his or her work is being sold. Artists who have collaborated on more than 20% of the pieces they are selling at the Tekkoshocon Artists' Alley MUST have adjoining tables. An Artist may not also have a Dealers' table.
Artists must be present or have an assistant present during all Artists' Alley operating hours. Artists who fail to show by 7 PM Friday evening forfeit their table. (Subject to change due to the artist alley being open on Thursday as well. Final time in will be decided before registration.) Artists who leave their table unmanned for over an hour without contacting Artists' Alley staff before or after may be subject to their next application for any Tekkoshocon, INC Artists' Alley and Dealers' Room events being rejected.
All work sold in the Alley must be the Artists' own original and creative art and must have artistic merit. No commercial, resale, bootleg, 'psuedo-merchandise' (items designed to look similar to official merchandise or using official logos), or items copied by ANY means (electronic, freehand/sight-drawing, tracing, vectoring, etc) in ANY medium (print, writing, textile, sculpture, or other) from artwork or merchandise that you do not own the rights for is permitted. Claiming another artists' work as your own is also not tolerated. The first of any of these offenses will result in a warning and a request for removal of the offending items. A second offense, or the failure to remove all items, will result in immediate ejection from Tekkoshocon X's Artists' Alley without refund and a ban of up to two years from all Tekkoshocon, INC. Artists' Alley and Dealers' Room events.
Fan art (art using another person or studio's characters, settings, themes, etc) is permitted provided it meets all other requirements stated above for original art.
Reconstructed art is permitted in small quantities on a case by case basis. Reconstructed art is defined as art created by using pieces of pre-existing merchandise to create an entirely new item. These items must display considerable time and skill put into their construction. Examples include a gothic & lolita dress made out of licensed Pikachu ™ print fabric, or a purse made out of Yu-Gi-Oh ™ playing cards. Examples of items NOT allowed would be a bandana made out of licensed Pikachu ™ print fabric, or a purse decorated with Yu-Gi-Oh ™ stickers. Items are allowed on a case-by-case basis and must be removed when asked without question. Abuse of this clause will lead to its removal.
Mature art is artwork that is illegal to sell to minors (defined by theCommonwealthofPennsylvaniaas individuals being under the age of 18.) Mature art (18+) is defined as pieces displaying graphic or defined nudity or explicitly sexual or acts, graphic, excessive violence or other material not defined here deemed unsuitable for minors. Mature art (18+) cannot be part of the Artists' main display. It must be kept separate in a clearly marked binder or box. Artists must use their own discretion when putting their Mature (18+) portfolio together, but AADH decision is final when determining if a questionable piece is Mature (18+). Artists must card customers wishing to view with a valid ID displaying photo and birthdate. It is illegal to sell to someone clearly purchasing Mature (18+) art for their minor friend. Artists have the right to refuse without condition any sale they are uncomfortable with. Absolutely NO “shotacon” or “lolicon” is permitted. It is acknowledged that age is subjective and difficult to define in art, however, all Mature (18+) art must feature characters who either appear to be physically mature or are known by their creators or fandoms to be over the age of 18. AADH decision is final.
Due to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), all plush, and any other item that could be construed as a child's toy MUST be sold as a collectible to attendees aged thirteen (13) and up. Please label your products accordingly. The official website for this act, including FAQ, can be read here: http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/smbus/cpsiasbguide.html
Artists assume full responsibility and liability for all items they sell. This includes (but is not limited) the legality of any items including that of copyright and trademark infringement, the durability of all items, or any contracts made with customers including failures to follow through on commissions made at con. Tekkoshocon, INC., makes no guarantees and assumes no responsibility for legal action, theft, loss, or damages that may occur due to participation in the 2012 Artists' Alley.
Additions to these rules may be made without notification at any time up to and during the convention. Failure to follow reasonable requests made by staff will result in removal from the 2012 Tekkoshocon Artists' Alley without refund. AADH decisions are final.

Tax Information

Please note that this information has changed from last year, notably, the dates and location.

All Artists are required to collect and report a state tax of 6% and a county tax of 1% on all sales (excluding primary clothing such as t-shirts, pants, etc.) That means a total sales tax of 7%. This is Pennsylvaniastate law. It applies to all artists, even those who are from out of state. The license is free.

Further questions about taxes can be answered on the PA Department of Revenue's website at http://www.revenue.state.pa.us.

All Artists must have an active Pennsylvania Sales Tax License. Your tax license ID number is due with your application. It takes 5-14 days to receive a physical copy of your license. Applicants that cannot present an ID number with their table payment will be denied. Artists who cannot present a copy of their license at the convention will not be permitted to set up until they can obtain one.

To apply for your sales tax license, visit the PA Department of Revenue's "Open for Business" website. You will need to fill out the PA-100 form. http://www.pa100.state.pa.us/ At any time, the website has a help option, please use that for website-specific questions. Tekkoshocon INC can only help you with questions dealing with Artists' Alley and our show. We cannot help you with PA DoR website questions! You can also call them at 412-565-7540.
Select "New Registration." Fill out your information. The "Date of first operations" is the start of Tekkoshocon's Artists' Alley sales- which will be March 22, 2012.
Continue filling out information. If you are a PA resident, click "Sales, Use & Hotel Tax." If not, select "Transient Vendor Certificate."
If you are one artist, you are a sole proprietor. If you are a studio, or have a partner, fill that in where it asks. You will only be responsible for Sales Tax. You fall under the "Arts, Entertainment & Recreation" category rather than wholesale or retail.
You are selling in Allegheny County.
Your first sale date is again March 22, 2012. The number of shows will be 1: Tekkoshocon IX.
The address is 600 Commonwealth Place Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Starting March 21, 2012.
Ending March 25, 2012.

Again, remember that we cannot help you fill out this form. You can call the PA Dept of Revenue at 412-565-7540.

You will be required to file quarterly taxes with the state ofPennsylvania. This can be done using the E-tides website: http://www.etides.state.pa.us/ If you have not made any sales in PA during this time, $0 can be entered. It will expire after one year.

You can also renew your license from last year on the PA Dept of Revenue website, or by calling 412-565-7540.

Artist Alley Prices

This year, an Artist Alley table will cost $50. Badges will cost the current registration price at time of registration. You may choose to preregister or register at door.