Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my parents/siblings/kids?

We cannot turn away attendees. The Student Center is a public space, and as such, the public will be there. However, we are an event built for college students by college students and may have more mature themes appropriate for college students, so use your best judgement before bringing a guest with young eyes or ears.

How can I get involved in planning C-Con?

A callout meeting for those interested in getting involved will be held January 29th from 6-7 PM in Teacher's College Room 121. This callout meeting will discuss the overall schedule for C-Con, how to get involved, application forms, and any other relevant info. If you would like to be involved in C-Con past just attending, we highly encourage you attend this meeting as it will have a lot of important info. Applications for Artist Alley, Panelists, and Volunteers will open January 29th, 2026 and will close February 28th.

Does C-Con cost money?

It doesn't have to. C-Con is free for all Ball State students and their guests to attend, and all activities are free to participate in. We recommend bringing $10-$50 to shop in the Artists' Alley, but it is absolutely possible to enjoy C-Con in its entirety without spending any money, as long as you are okay with not bringing home any souvenirs.

Can I take pictures at C-Con?

Yes, with a caveat. While C-Con is a public event with no reasonable expectation of privacy, we value proper convention etiquette, and it is important to us that individuals taking photos ALWAYS ask the subject before taking the photo. Cosplayers, artists, and attendees would much rather you ask, that way they can make sure they and their work look the best they can, or that they can say no if they are uncomfortable being photographed.

Can I show up in cosplay?

Absolutely! We ask that all participants and attendees use their best judgement to dress in a way that is decent and respectful (NO hate symbols, fake weapons resembling real ones, or indecent exposure) and following university guidelines (full-face masks may only be worn for photos and presentation), and everything else is fair game. Break out that ball gown, super suit, and face paint! Self-expression is the name of the game at C-Con.

How do I access the specific artist/panelist/volunteer forms?

Application forms for the 2026 C-Con season are open on the Get Involved page! You will be emailed your specific form after you fill out the interest form. After a couple days, if you are worried that we did not receive your form, check your email for the form submission confirmation and let us know you have not recieved your specific form yet.

How do Artists' Alley deposits work?

If you are hosting a table at the Artists' Alley, you will have to deliver a $10 deposit to an event representative. Cash is preferred, but more information about methods of payment will be sent out to artists via email. This is a deposit, NOT a fee. Your $10 act as a promise to show up to the table you signed up for, and if you show up, you will get your deposit back. This is to prevent no-shows, which have been an issue in the past.

What happens if I reserve an Artists' Alley table but an emergency keeps me from showing up?

If an emergency (such as sudden illness, death, etc.) keeps you from showing up to your table, you are welcome to have a trusted friend sell on your behalf. If neither you nor a friend will be able to occupy your space, communicate with a representative BEFORE the start of C-Con in order to get your deposit back. The earlier you communicate this, the better, that way we can give the space to someone else.

How many people can sit at an Artists' Alley table?

We seat 1-2 shops per table. If your shop is using a whole table, you can seat up to 3 people at a time. Shops using a half table can seat 1 person at a time, or two if the seller using the other half allows.

If I have an Artists' Alley table, can I also participate as a panelist/cosplayer/volunteer?

Yes! Running a table for the full duration of Artists' Alley without breaks can be exhausting. We encourage our artists to take breaks to run a panel, get food, enter the cosplay contest, and volunteer. For this, we recommend having a trusted friend to watch the table temporarily, asking a volunteer to watch the table, or setting up your table in a way that is easy to pack away and set up again if you don't want to leave your products unattended.

Can I participate even if I'm not a current Ball State student?

C-Con is a resource for Ball State students. The office of student life has stipulations as to who may participate in student life events before charging additional fees and room rental costs. As such, we cannot be 100% open to members of the community, but we do welcome all alumni of up to two years (graduated or transferred no earlier than May 2024) as well as our current students to collaborate, host, and vend at C-con. However, general attendance is open to the public!