Jakarta. The Jakarta Illustration & Creative Arts Fair (JICAF) 2026 will return from Sept. 17 to Oct. 4, 2026, offering a broader platform for creators through two curation tracks, SPARKS and PROFESSIONAL. The two categories are designed to accommodate creators at different stages of their careers.

Through the two categories, JICAF aims to reach not only professional illustrators but also young artists, emerging talents and self-taught creators looking to bring their work to a wider audience. The categories are also intended to connect creators with industry players, brands, collectors and the public.

JICAF 2026 Fair Director Sunny Gho said the fair aims to ensure that works are selected not only for their visual quality but also for their voice, boldness and cultural relevance.

“Curation is important because we want to showcase works that represent the development and dynamics of visual culture today,” Sunny said.

Two Categories for Different Creative Journeys

The SPARKS category is aimed at emerging creators, including self-taught talents who have yet to enter the professional world. Years of experience and technical proficiency are not the primary criteria. Instead, curators look at originality, creative instinct and artistic potential that give a work a distinctive character and voice.

The PROFESSIONAL category, meanwhile, is open to creators with at least three years of professional experience. The assessment focuses more on technical mastery, execution and the maturity of their visual approach.

The distinction between the two categories is not intended to establish one as higher or better than the other. Each has its own evaluation criteria. While SPARKS looks for emerging artistic voices, PROFESSIONAL focuses on how experienced creators develop their craft and visual approaches.

“JICAF wants to be a space where creators can find audiences, build connections and see broader possibilities for their work. That's why we look not only at what a creator has already achieved, but also at the potential and voice they can bring to the development of visual culture,” Sunny added.

Expanding Appreciation for Illustration

JICAF 2026 will feature a series of programs, including exhibitions, workshops, discussions and cross-disciplinary collaborations. These programs are designed to bring illustration closer to the public while creating broader interaction with different areas of the creative industry.

By bringing together creators at different stages of their creative journeys, JICAF aims to position illustration not only as a visual art form but also as part of the development of culture and the creative industry.

JICAF 2026 will also serve as the launch platform for Disney Jajan, a new collaboration between Disney Indonesia and local illustrators facilitated by enMasse, the organizer of JICAF.

The project invites artists to reinterpret Disney's Stitch character through the perspective of Indonesian snacks and street food culture. Disney Jajan features three illustrators — Ykha Amelz, WD Wily and Liunic — who bring their distinctive styles to interpretations of iconic characters such as Stitch and Angel. Local brand Ebisu will then translate the Disney-themed artworks into a range of products.

Visitors to JICAF 2026 will be among the first in Indonesia to purchase the Disney Jajan collection.

“Disney Jajan brings global characters to life through a local perspective. The result feels distinctly Indonesian while remaining relevant and accessible to a global audience. We are very excited that the first Disney Jajan product collection will be introduced at JICAF 2026, providing a platform to highlight the creativity of Indonesian artists and local brands,” Sunny said.

JICAF 2026 will also feature a range of brand partners offering programs and experiences designed to connect creativity with audiences.

PT Bank Central Asia (BCA) will return as the banking partner for JICAF 2026, continuing its collaboration from previous editions. This year, BCA will offer special programs for visitors, including special opening-day offers and Surprise Day promotions with 10% discounts.

Visitors can receive Rp 250,000 in cashback with a minimum transaction of Rp 1.5 million using BCA 0% installment plans for three or six months with a BCA credit card. They can also receive Rp 50,000 in instant cashback with a minimum transaction of Rp 500,000 using QRIS through myBCA.

BCA is also collaborating with illustrator Ykha Amelz on an artwork creatively interpreting four key myBCA features. The work will be incorporated into a special booth and exclusive merchandise designed to create a memorable experience for JICAF 2026 visitors.

The collaboration is part of an effort to bring creative works closer to audiences through more relevant and accessible experiences. Through BCA's presence at JICAF, illustration will be presented not only as visual art but also through experiences, products and collaborations that connect with everyday life.

SIMPATI will serve as JICAF 2026's Creative Engine Partner, supporting a collaboration with Fablenaut. The partnership will feature a special art collectible bundled with a SIMPATI starter pack, with only 100 pieces available.

Beyond the collaborative product, SIMPATI's support reflects its commitment to creating opportunities for the creative industry, including through its support for JICAF's SPARKS artist program.

JICAF 2026's ecosystem will also be strengthened by VIVERE, DOSS, iForte and Melodia, whose involvement brings perspectives from furniture and interior design, photography and imaging, technology, music and audio.

ATSIRI will serve as the Official Aroma of JICAF 2026, adding a sensory element to the visitor experience. Meanwhile, Caffino coffee, under its “Pasti Rasa Kopinya” campaign, will collaborate with JICAF 2026 Official Artist Hans Djap.

These collaborations are part of JICAF's effort to build an ecosystem that goes beyond simply showcasing artwork. By connecting creators with brands, industry players, collectors and the public, JICAF aims to open new opportunities for illustration to develop into artworks, experiences, products and other forms of collaboration.

JICAF 2026 will also collaborate with Tehbotol Sosro to support emerging Indonesian illustration talent. The partnership shares a goal of providing local creators and illustrators with opportunities to develop their work and introduce it to a wider audience.

As part of the collaboration, JICAF will provide mentorship to winners of Tehbotol Sosro's previously held national design competition. A total of 29 winners will have the opportunity to learn from and develop their work with experienced practitioners and visual artists. The program will also provide opportunities for the winners' works to be developed into merchandise within the JICAF ecosystem.

JICAF and Tehbotol Sosro will also introduce a monochrome-edition Tehbotol Sosro package through a dedicated event. The initiative demonstrates how collaborations between brands and creative talent can create new opportunities for illustration beyond traditional artwork formats.

Bringing Creators, Industry and Audiences Together
JICAF 2026 will run from Sept. 17 to Oct. 4, featuring selected works that have undergone a curation process. This year's event aims to provide a platform for discovering new voices while connecting experienced talents with broader opportunities within the creative ecosystem.

The fair's Board of Curators comprises figures from various fields, including film, design, illustration, publishing, art and entertainment. Their diverse backgrounds are expected to provide broader perspectives in assessing works and the potential of creators.

The curators include Adjis Doaibu and Sherina Munaf for the SPARKS category. Sherina, a musician, actor and creator, brings experience from the entertainment industry and a perspective on the potential and creative instincts of emerging talent.

The PROFESSIONAL category is curated by, among others, Hermawan Tanzil, founder of LeBoYe Graphic Design Studio, and film and commercial director Dimas Djayadiningrat. Both have extensive experience in the creative industry and have worked with a wide range of visual creators.

JICAF 2026's Board of Curators also includes Marchella FP, Hadi Ismanto, Ykha Amelz, Andrey Noelfry, Irvine Priscillia and Nicola Schwartz.

Through its curation, public programs and collaborations with various partners, JICAF 2026 continues to expand its role as a platform connecting creators, industry players, brands, collectors and the public.

JICAF aims to be more than a place to view illustration. It also seeks to provide creative talent with opportunities to find audiences, build connections and explore new possibilities for their work.

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