Are you looking for an opportunity to feature a larger collection of work? Apply now for the Retail Feature Program!

The Retail Feature Program gives members the opportunity to highlight a collection of work at the Craft Ontario Queen St Shop for approximately 5 weeks in the Feature Window. All work displayed in the Feature must be made by the applicant and should have the potential to sell in a retail setting.

Deadline to apply: Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 11:59pm ET

Application responses will be sent on Thursday, May 30, 2025.

Accepted applicants will receive the following:

• A Feature displayed in the Queen St. Shop for the specified 5 week duration
• A selection of works available on the Online Shop
• Name and biography displayed on the Feature wall
• Feature promoted on all Craft Ontario social channels and newsletters
• A dedicated blogpost

Please note:

• To aid Long-Distance Members, the Retail Feature can be installed solely by Craft Ontario Staff or as a partnership between Staff and Artist
• The Retail Feature takes place in the east Shop window only
• The Retail Feature Window receives intense natural light which may affect pieces due to UV exposure and heat

Pictured above: Andreas Krätschmer Retail Feature

General information:

Craft Ontario is a not-for-profit service organization that works to have craft recognized as a valuable part of life. We promote and celebrate professional craft through providing member opportunities, and advocate for craft practice by educating and empowering diverse audiences. 

The Craft Ontario Shop generates sales for artists, provides valuable career mentorship, product feedback, as well as educational opportunities for the public. The Shop promotes a wide range of craft practices, including emerging to established artists working in both contemporary and traditional techniques. 

Craft Ontario releases 3 Shop-specific applications a year for opportunities to sell and showcase Canadian craft.

Shop-Related Applications Links:

Retail Shop Application

Retail Feature Application (Queen St Shop location)

Jewellery Showcase Application (The Distillery District location)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be Maker Members to sell in the Shop, but can apply as a non-member by paying a $10 administrative fee and purchasing a Membership if accepted.
  
• Applicants must be Canadian Residents 
• Applicants do not have to be Ontario Residents
• Work must be a craft-based medium (e.g. wood, glass, jewellery, metal, stone, ceramic, textiles, paper)
• Work must be the original idea of the maker 
• Submitted work should be produced within the last 1-2 years and reflect the applicant's current work
• Objects must be well-made, and capable of serving the purpose for which they are created
• Ready-made parts or components are permitted only if they are subordinate to the total design and craftsmanship of the object (i.e. yarn in hand-woven cloth, some types of jewellery chains)
• High quality photos with bright lighting and a white background are recommended

CRAFT ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

Work is reviewed, assessed, and accepted based on the following criteria:

• Design quality: the work is well-made, meets its intended function and is aesthetically pleasing
• Originality: creativity, new concepts, and innovative techniques
• Sales potential: Pricing, product presentation and marketability/salability
• Cohesion (for Features and Showcases): The body of work shares similar motifs and works together to tell a story 

Please note Craft Ontario does not accept the following:

• hobby crafts, photography, painting, decorated found objects, liquid embroidery
• work made from kits or commercial patterns 
• work made with a commercial product as the focal point
• work made with commercial moulds

CONSIGNMENT TERMS & CONDITIONS

1) Craft Ontario consignment members must have a current Craft Ontario Maker Membership.

2) Upon sale of any item, Craft Ontario shall pay the member 50% of the retail price. Payments will be issued on a 45 day payment schedule, i.e. any sales made in January will be paid on March 15.

3) The work remains the property of the member until the work is sold and paid for in full or returned to the member. Craft Ontario is under no obligation to purchase any of the work.

4) Consigned work will be delivered to Craft Ontario and picked up from Craft Ontario by the member, unless otherwise arranged and agreed on by both parties.

5) The member will be responsible for insuring work during shipping and delivery. Craft Ontario is responsible for insuring all work for theft and damage while on the Craft Ontario Shop premises, and within the dates of the consignment agreement. Craft Ontario shall reimburse the member for the consigned cost of the item if theft or breakage occurs during the consignment period.

6) Any item damaged while in the care of Craft Ontario and paid for under the conditions outlined above, shall become the property of Craft Ontario.

7) If an item is damaged while in the care of Craft Ontario but is repairable, Craft Ontario will pay the repair cost up to 50% of the retail cost of the item.

8) HST will be paid to members who provide their HST identification #.