APPLYING TO BE AN EXHIBITOR
Applying does not automatically grant you a place at PrideCAF 2022. Applicants must fill out all required sections of the form and provide examples of work that is their own or have full permission to exhibit from the original creator. Fan comics, fanzines and art from popular culture are allowed as long as you are the creator of the artwork being sold.
Successful applicants will be selected on the following criteria.
- Applicant(s) must identify somewhere under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella.
- Applicant(s) must only exhibit their own work or work with full permission from the creator. These do not have to have LGBTQIA+ themes.
The festival is to celebrate LGBTQIA+ individuals and is a focus of their work, not just if that work is focused on LGBTQIA+ themes. If you are part of a creative group with members who are not part of the community you are still allowed to apply as long as the majority of the group identifies as LGBTQIA+.
As this is a Comic Art Festival, comics, graphic novels, illustrated books, and zines will take high priority when selecting applicants. Illustrations, prints, badges, charms etc are also allowed but will take lower priority if you’re not selling comics, zines, etc as well.
The following types of work are not allowed to be sold or shown at PrideCAF. If your application consists of any of the items below your application will be denied.
- Work not created by you with no permission from the original creator to sell.
- Work discriminating against other groups or people or promoting hate speech.
- AI-generated content
If you are found to have fabricated your application with the intention to deceive the organisers about what you intend to display/sell your application will be revoked. We do not question or gatekeep peoples’ sexual or gender identities or how they wish to represent themselves. However, if it is found you do not identify anywhere under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella your application will be revoked. If the application is revoked after payment for a table has been received no refund will be issued.
TABLES
When applying please select the size table you wish to have on the day. Prices include one table and two chairs (additional chairs can be provided at no extra cost).
4ft Table – £25
6ft Table – £40
We are happy for two artists/groups to share a table as long as both provide the required information in the application form.
There is a smaller amount of 4ft tables compared to 6ft tables this year. In the case we run out of 4ft tables, there is an option in the application form agreeing that an exhibitor is happy to share a 6ft table with another creator. The price for this will be reduced to £20. In this case, PrideCAF will be selecting which exhibitors will be sharing together. PrideCAF will pair those together most suited to each others’ work (e.g. One creator who draws light-hearted, family-friendly content won’t be paired with someone who draws adult themes).
If your application is accepted you will be sent an invoice for your priced table and have 30 days to pay in full. Payments are accepted via bank transfer. Alternative payments can be discussed but, due to their unclear ToCs, we are unable to accept payment via PayPal. Payments will be made to Rough Sketch Productions LTD. Rough Sketch Productions LTD is a not-for-profit business that creates and runs events, like PrideCAF, for the LGBTQ+ community, helping promote and engage in art and theatre. All money taken from table costs goes right back into PrideCAF so it can continue being a free event for the public and affordable for creators.
If any exhibitor is found selling items that are not allowed at the event (listed above) they will be asked to leave the venue without refund. Anyone found selling their work at a table or within the venue they did not originally apply or pay for will be asked to leave the venue.
VENUE
The Station is an accessible building with lift access to the first, second and third floors. There are accessible toilets located on every floor. The front of the venue has level paved access.
Exhibitors are prohibited from attaching anything to walls or fixtures inside the venue. PrideCAF is unable to provide backboards but you may bring your own. Tables must be kept tidy and all paths, especially fire exits must be kept clear. We are unable to promise main power supplies for electrical items (e.g. laptops, phone chargers).
To provide access to guests and prevent injury and damage, large items such as cycles (including foldable), scooters, e-scooters etc will not be allowed in the event space. The exception to these is mobility aids such as wheelchairs, mobility scooters, crutches etc. You will be asked to leave them outside of the main exhibit halls at your own risk.
No animals are allowed in the building with the exception of registered assistance animals. This includes emotional support animals.
While we make all efforts to look after exhibitors and guests please note PrideCAF and The Station are not responsible for any personal belongings.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO
If you wish to take any photos or videos of any tables or work on display you must ask permission from the exhibitor first before proceeding. While taking photos and videos within the venue, please be mindful of other members of the general public who may not want their person photographed.
PrideCAF will have a hired photographer and videographer on site taking footage of the day. Most photos and film will be taken with permission from the person in the shot. If you believe you have been captured and wish your image not to be used you can contact the team at hello@pridecaf.co.uk.
MATURE AND ADULT CONTENT
As this event is open to all ages, adult content must not be displayed on your table. If your work does include mature content and themes please label content and trigger warnings appropriately. You are allowed to promote your adult content work with subtle signs on your table (e.g. “Ask me about my 18+ stuff” ) which 18+ guests can request to see. However, if you are found promoting or selling adult work to minors (Anyone under the age of 18) you will be asked to leave the premises without a refund and, if required, authorities will be contacted. If you are unsure or have any questions please contact us at hello@pridecaf.co.uk.
ZERO TOLERANCE
PrideCAF does not and will not tolerate any form of discrimination, bullying, or abuse towards exhibitors, guests, volunteers, venue staff, or the general public. This includes but is not limited to:-
- Purposely invading or blocking access to other tables and exhibitors.
- ‘Hard selling’ or intimating customers.
- Haggling or intimating exhibitors.
- Damaging or stealing exhibitors’ stock or property.
- Gatekeeping – When someone takes it upon themselves to decide who does or does not have access or rights to a community or identity.
- Discriminating against someone’s race, religion, gender, sexuality, and/or age
PrideCAF is a friendly, inclusive event for everyone who attends. If staff of the event or The Station feel you are in breach of these rules you will be asked to leave the venue, if you are an exhibitor this will be without refund. In extreme situations, authorities will be informed. If you see anything during the event that looks to be a breach of the rules or against the law please get in touch with a member of staff. Volunteers will be around to help with any issues. If you feel unsafe or harassed in any way by anyone at the venue please let a volunteer or member of staff know who will be more than happy to help.
Everyone is allowed to wear what most feels comfortable to them. However, as this is an event for all ages no extreme fetish gear and no complete nudity and/or genitals on display. Cosplay is highly encouraged but no large props or realistic-looking weapons. There are no plans yet for changing rooms on site though this might change in the future. Please check the website and social media for any changes.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are the backbone of any good event and will be respected as such. Anyone found harassing a volunteer will be asked to leave the venue and, in extreme cases, will be reported to the proper authorities. Volunteers also agree to respect guests, exhibitors, venue staff and the general public. Any volunteer found abusing powers, stealing money from exhibitors or stealing/damaging stock will be released from their duties, removed from the venue and banned from future events.
CANCELLATION
Cancellation of table bookings must be made before Monday 19th of June. After this date, we will be unable to refund any table payments.
If you qualify for a refund but paid for your table in a different currency other than pounds sterling you will be refunded back at the current currency conversion rate. E.g. if you paid €45 for a £40 table you will be refunded £40 regardless of the current conversion rates.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact hello@pridecaf.co.uk
COVID 19 AND GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES
(As of 28/02/2023)
While there are currently no guidelines from the UK Government regarding Covid 19 and social distancing, we will not stop those from wearing face masks and coverings throughout the venue. We will continue to try and provide enough space for people to walk without congestion and, if things do get popular, will implement a one-in/one-out system to prevent overcrowding.
Hand sanitiser will be available throughout the venue with signs asking the public to make sure their hands are dry before touching any goods. If the weather is suitable, windows and doors will be kept open for good airflow.
In the case of Government guidelines changing to full lockdown or restrictions on public events, PrideCAF will be rescheduled and exhibitors given the option to keep their table for the rescheduled date or for a refund.