The VIECC x
Faber-Castell ”
” Artist Grant Program 2026

Looking for Austria’s talented artists: Secure your free booth at VIECC®!

Your chance to exhibit in Artist Alley:
The VIECC® x Faber-Castell Artist Grant 2026

Together with our partner Faber-Castell, we’d like to offer young, up-and-coming talents from Austria the unique opportunity to be part of this year’s Vienna Comic Con—without any financial barriers. This year, we are awarding four free, fully equipped exhibition booths (Artist Alley 2 Units) at VIECC 2026. This exclusive program is specifically aimed at young artists from Austria who have mastered the analog or hybrid craft of pen and paper and want to take the plunge to present their work for the first time to a massive audience of over 45,000 visitors.

An Overview of the Funding Package:

  • 100% free exhibition booth: A full-sized “Artist Alley 2 Unit” for the entire event weekend (November 21–22, 2026).

  • Complete setup: Integrated back wall, table, chair, power package, and one exhibitor parking pass for the Messe Wien grounds.

  • Faber-Castell Support: An exclusive, high-quality kit containing professional analog drawing supplies for your live on-site use.

Target Audience

Artists (at least 18 years old) who reside in Austria

Focus

Analog and Hybrid Drawing (Not purely digital, not AI)

Scope of the Grant

Free booth (Artist Alley with 2 units), electricity, parking, and Faber-Castell supplies

Application Period

August 11, 2026, through August 31, 2026

Selection & Jury

Joint jury decision by VIECC and Faber-Castell in September

Event Date

November 21–22, 2026 (VIECON, Vienna Exhibition Center)

Breaking down barriers and providing a platform for the next generation

Taking the leap to present your own art for the first time on a big stage like Vienna Comic Con takes courage. Many young artists in Austria are just starting out on their journey and often ask themselves the same questions: “Am I even good enough for such a big convention yet?” “Is the financial risk of booking a booth worth it for me?” or “How do I organize my first trade show appearance?” Unfortunately , these doubts and the fear of the costs all too often result in great talent remaining unseen. This is exactly where we want to step in, together with our partner Faber-Castell.

Our support program is specifically designed for anyone who has hesitated to take the plunge, can’t yet afford the financial risk of having their own booth, or has simply never exhibited at a convention before. We want to provide a safe, supportive space for you to take your first steps into the professional art scene. By offering four completely free and fully equipped Artist Alley booths, we’re taking the financial risk completely out of the equation. This way, you can focus entirely on what really matters: showcasing your work, connecting with the community, and gaining valuable first-hand experience.

It is very important to us to specifically strengthen the local creative scene in Austria while also providing a tangible platform for analog and hybrid drawing. For many people, working with classic tools like pen and paper is their very first introduction to art. Together with Faber-Castell, we want to celebrate this accessible, traditional craft. As a sponsored exhibitor, you’ll not only have access to top-quality materials on-site, but also the opportunity to draw live right at your booth. This is how we bring the creative process to life for visitors. We want to give you not only a booth at the fair, but also the confidence and the head start you need to successfully begin your journey in the art world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

All artists who are at least 18 years of age at the time of application and who have their primary or secondary residence in Austria are eligible to apply.

We are looking for art that emphasizes physical craftsmanship. This includes drawings created with pencil, charcoal, ink, markers, watercolor, acrylic, or pastel. Hybrid works (e.g., a hand-drawn line art piece on paper that is later digitally colored) are also very welcome. Unfortunately, submissions consisting solely of digital art (created exclusively on a tablet or PC) cannot be considered for this specific program.

As a platform for genuine creativity, we strictly prohibit AI-generated artwork in Artist Alley. Every application for the grant program undergoes a standardized, multi-step review process. By participating, you confirm that your works were created without the use of AI generators.

The program thrives on its interactive nature. You agree to be present at your booth on both days of the convention (Saturday and Sunday) and to conduct active live drawing sessions there (e.g., for commissions, sketches, or your own projects). In doing so, you will use and showcase the professional-grade products provided by Faber-Castell.

No. VIECC and Faber-Castell will cover 100% of the booth rental fee for the Artist Alley 2 unit, the back wall, the table, the chair, the power package, and the parking ticket. You only need to arrange your own travel, lodging, and the items you’ll be selling.