Five illustration agencies currently open to submissions from new artists are featured below. Agencies like these represent illustrators and connect them with clients such as publishers, brands, and licensors. All five accept work on a rolling basis with no submission fees.
Please verify all submission details directly on each agency’s website before reaching out, as requirements and contact information can change.
This post features IllustrationX, AstoundUS, The Artworks Inc., Arena Illustration, and Synergy Art.
Geographic restrictions:
IllustrationX (USA, with offices across four continents) states directly on its application form that it accepts artists from many countries, including the UK, USA, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, and Singapore, plus a Rest of World option
AstoundUS (USA, with a London office) does not state restrictions on its submissions page; its own Instagram bio describes representing illustrators internationally
The Artworks Inc. (UK, with affiliates in New York and Kyoto) does not state restrictions; its roster is confirmed international, including artists based in Spain and Brazil
Arena Illustration (UK, with a New York office) does not state restrictions; its roster includes at least one confirmed international illustrator, based in Croatia
Synergy Art (UK) does not state restrictions on its submissions page; its roster is confirmed international, including an illustrator based in Italy
New York, USA (also London, Paris, Hamburg, Shanghai, and Sydney)
We welcome applications from highly talented illustrators and animators
Art Form(s): Illustration and animation, including children’s book work.
Submission Method: Complete the online application form with your name, email, website, and social media links, along with details of your clients and published work and any prior or existing representation. The form also asks whether you use AI in any part of creating your illustrations. Applications made by email with attachments are automatically deleted.
About the Agency: Founded in London in 1929, IllustrationX now has agents active across four continents. The team works to connect clients to illustrators and animators worldwide.
Payment Model: Not publicly specified.
Geographic Restrictions: International. The agency’s own application form lists specific countries including the UK, USA, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, and Singapore, in addition to a Rest of World option.
Important Notes:
Applications only accepted through the online form; email submissions with attachments are automatically deleted
Artists whose personal style is still developing, including students, are advised to wait before applying
Due to volume, only successful applicants receive a response
No submission fees
Artist Submission Info: https://www.illustrationx.com/applications
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareillustrationx/
Looking for more opportunities like these? You can find 300+ more artist opportunities in the complete archive.
New York, USA (also London)
Representing the best in contemporary illustration
Art Form(s): Illustration, with a focus on contemporary children’s book work and commercial art.
Submission Method: Send examples of your work or a link to your online portfolio to contact@astound.us.
About the Agency: Astound US Inc has represented illustrators internationally since 2014, working with an international staff from offices in New York City and London. The agency focuses on contemporary children’s book illustration, licensing, and commercial art, and works to connect artists with clients suited to their style.
Payment Model: Not publicly specified.
Geographic Restrictions: International. The agency’s own Instagram bio describes it as representing illustrators across NYC, London, and internationally.
Important Notes:
The agency’s own site lists a separate Artist Submissions page in its navigation; the direct link could not be confirmed, so use the homepage and navigate from there
No submission fees mentioned
Artist Submission Info:
https://astound.us
(navigate to Artist Submissions)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astoundusagency/
Looking for more opportunities like these? You can find 300+ more artist opportunities in the complete archive.
London, UK (affiliated with Mendola Artists in New York and Art Liaison in Kyoto)
if we are interested we will respond soon after receiving the work
Art Form(s): Illustration and animation, including children’s book and editorial work.
Submission Method: Email a link to your website, or 5 or 6 low resolution jpegs, to hello@theartworksinc.com.
About the Agency: Established in 1983, The Artworks keeps its group of represented artists deliberately small. The agency also runs a Startworks programme supporting graduate illustrators alongside more established artists. Its London office works alongside affiliates Mendola Artists in New York and Art Liaison in Kyoto.
Payment Model: Not publicly specified.
Geographic Restrictions: Not stated on the submissions page. The agency’s own artist pages confirm an international roster, including Dàlia Adillon, an illustrator from Barcelona, and Laurindo Feliciano, a Brazilian illustrator who has lived and worked in France since 2003.
Important Notes:
Only 5 or 6 low resolution jpegs accepted per submission
Due to volume, the agency only responds if interested
No submission fees
Artist Submission Info: https://www.theartworksinc.com/contact/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartworks_inc/
Looking for more opportunities like these? You can find 300+ more artist opportunities in the complete archive.
London, UK (also New York)
we always welcome submissions from Professional Illustrators whose work is distinctive and different
Art Form(s): Illustration, spanning children’s publishing, science fiction and fantasy, concept art, and character design.
Submission Method: Submit through the agency’s online submission form. Work samples must be included or the submission will be ignored.
About the Agency: Founded in 1968, Arena Illustration represents a carefully curated list of award winning and best selling illustrators, with a particular focus on the children’s publishing industry as well as film and animation. The agency operates from offices in London and New York.
Payment Model: Licence based. The agency tailors a licence to each client’s specific use, and the illustrator retains copyright of the work; commission structure is not publicly specified.
Geographic Restrictions: Not stated on the submissions page. The agency’s own news page confirms at least one internationally based illustrator on its roster, describing Tomislav Tomic as a Croatian based illustrator.
Important Notes:
Agency describes itself as small and not actively expanding its artist list, but open to distinctive new work
Submissions without samples are ignored
Due to volume, only successful applicants receive a response
No submission fees
Artist Submission Info: https://www.arenaillustration.com/contact/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arenaillustration/
Looking for more opportunities like these? You can find 300+ more artist opportunities in the complete archive.
London, UK
We’re always interested in hearing from talented illustrators
Art Form(s): Illustration.
Submission Method: Send web links or 5 to 10 low resolution examples, each under 2MB, to hello@synergyart.co.uk.
About the Agency: Founded in 2000 from a kitchen table in Holland Park, West London, Synergy Art now represents a team of thirty artists, with a client list spanning Europe, North America, South America, Australia, and Asia.
Payment Model: Not publicly specified.
Geographic Restrictions: Not stated on the submissions page. The agency’s roster is confirmed international, including illustrator Giacomo Bagnara, who is based in Verona, Italy.
Important Notes:
No return policy for unsolicited submissions
Due to volume, only artists of interest receive a response
No submission fees
Artist Submission Info: https://synergyart.co.uk/submissions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synergyart/
Looking for more opportunities like these? You can find 300+ more artist opportunities in the complete archive.
Tired of spending hours researching illustration agencies, only to find hidden fees, dead links, or unclear submission processes?
I do that vetting for you. Every opportunity is checked for legitimacy, fee structure, and submission requirements before it ever gets posted. Paid subscriptions are what make this Substack sustainable long term. The $5/month price was set as low as possible so it stays accessible, while still supporting the research and vetting that goes into every opportunity.
Paid subscribers to Circus Living get:
Weekly posts for paid subscribers, with MORE vetted opportunities
Searchable database of 280+ verified submission opportunities (galleries, publishers, magazines, and more), growing weekly, so you can filter and search instead of digging through every post
Full access to complete archive of all past and future posts, free and paid, see all published opportunities here: complete index
Subscriptions can be cancelled at any time. All purchases are final and non refundable.
These five agencies span a range of scales and routes into representation. IllustrationX and AstoundUS operate across multiple continents with explicit international reach, while The Artworks, Arena Illustration, and Synergy Art are UK based agencies with internationally confirmed rosters. None charge submission fees, and all accept rolling submissions rather than one time calls.
Submission procedures and contact details can change, so please verify all information on each agency’s website before reaching out.
No posts
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.