FAQ

Be sure to follow Craft Ontario on Facebook or Instagram, and sign up for the Craftflash newsletter

Non-members are welcome to apply for Craft Ontario programs, with a $10 administrative fee. If you are accepted into a program, then you must join by purchasing a Maker Membership.

• The Gallery changes over exhibitions every 7-10 weeks during the months of January to October. Each exhibition has a reception.
• The Annual Awards ceremony happens in October.
• Shop retail features change over every 6-8 weeks during the months of January to October.
• Workshops and virtual seminars occur throughout the year.
• Studio Magazine publishes two issues annually in the fall and spring.
• Symposia and conferences happen every few years and align with collaborative projects with sector partners.
• An annual fundraising event is scheduled every fall.
• The Annual General Meeting is scheduled in June.
• Special events are often member driven. Members offer their resources and we work together.

Yes, all our offerings and events are open for anyone to attend. Some courses or lectures have a registration fee which is lower for members, but everyone is welcome!

Our discounts operate on a self-identification basis. There is no need to provide supplemental information in order to receive a discount. If you need assistance applying a discount to your invoice, please email membership@craftontario.com

Further to the information on the For Makers section, you can get more specific information and receive a quote by emailing HUB International directly: sportsandentertainmentprograms@hubinternational.com

Our membership system automatically revokes login access once a membership expires, please email membership@craftontario.com, and we will reinstate the login for you.

1. Log in on craftontario.com
2. On the ‘MY HOME’ page under the MEMBER NUMBER heading, click the button ‘GO TO MEMBER NUMBER’.
3. Click the yellow button that says ‘View Profile/Edit Profile’.
4. Under the Basic Information heading, your membership number will be listed.

The Maker Membership is our most popular level. The most valued benefits, identified by current members, include:

• Apply without fees to well recognized annual professional programs: Professional gallery exhibitions, downtown Toronto retail representation, cash awards recognizing excellence.
• Join workshops and coaching designed for creative careers
• Cross promote your career news through our multi-channel communications. Our audiences are over 20,000 viewers strong.
• Connect with fellow makers and the Craft Ontario staff team
• PLUS basic benefits of Community Membership

The most valued benefits in the Community Membership, identified by current members, include:

• All the latest community news, events, opportunities, and invitations delivered monthly to your inbox.
• A subscription to Studio Magazine: Contemporary Canadian craft and design within global material culture.
• 10% off discount on purchases in store and online at the Craft Ontario Shop. Excluding the current Annual Cape Dorset Print Collection.

The most valued benefits in the Organization Membership, identified by current members, include:

• Connect with the Craft Ontario staff team to engage your organization’s goals.
• Give an artist in your community an annual Craft Ontario Community Award.
• Nominate for the John and Barbara Mather Award for Lifetime Achievement.
• Access discounted bulk memberships for folks in your community/for your own members.
• 10% off print and web advertising in Studio magazine.
• PLUS basic benefits of Community Membership.

Benefits to Patron Membership:

• Charitable Tax Receipt for the full amount of your Patron membership
• Recognition in the annual Stewardship Report
• All the latest community news, events, opportunities, and invitations delivered monthly to your inbox
• A subscription to Studio Magazine: Craft and Design in Canada
• 10% off purchases in store and online at the Craft Ontario Shop & Gallery. As well as exclusive shopping nights and additional discounts. Discounts exclude the current year's Annual Cape Dorset Print Collection.
• *NEW* Meet the Maker online events

See all Patron Levels & benefit details

There is an annual opportunity to apply for the Exhibitions program. Craft Ontario seeks proposals for solo and two-person exhibitions to take place in the Craft Ontario Gallery during the following year. Look for the annual Call for Entry during the winter and spring.

The Craft Ontario Gallery shares the 1106 Queen St. West location in Toronto with the Craft Ontario Shop. Take a look at the floor plan.

Be sure to follow Craft Ontario on Facebook or Instagram, and sign up for the Craftflash newsletter

There are two opportunities to participate in the Shop program. Applications for Selling in the Shop and Showing in a Retail Feature are released as annual Calls for Entries during the winter and spring.

Yes, the Craft Ontario Shop (formerly the Guild Shop) was located in Yorkville at 118 Cumberland Street, until 2016 when the Shop and Gallery moved to 1106 Queen St West.

The Craft Ontario Shop represents over 200 craft artists, and all of their work is handmade in Canada. The Craft Ontario Shop is also one of the first, and longest running, organizations to represent Inuit and First Nations artwork in Toronto.

No, our Online Shop is a curated selection of what is available between our two Toronto physical locations at 1106 Queen St West and 9 Gristmill Lane in the Distillery District.

This high-quality print publication is produced semi-annually. You’ll receive 2 beautiful issues per year in fall and spring.

First, please read through all Studio's submission guidelines and details. If you still need answers, please reach out.

Take a look in our Digital Issues collection, all past issues are available there. You can also try our search bar in the header to find a specific term that is used in the issue's description.

Yes! Applying for more than one award is encouraged. You should check every award you are eligible for. Please note that different awards require different support documents, so please name your files clearly.

No, once you have received a specific award, you are not eligible to apply for it again.

Every year a new jury of diverse professionals from the Craft Community is selected. The jury selects recipients based on excellence of work, and not on financial need.

Yes, Craft Ontario is a registered charity. Donations of $20 or more receive a charitable tax receipt. BN: 118878511RR0001

Craft Ontario supports craft artists by providing tools to develop their careers and make an income from their work. By promoting their work through exhibitions, retail, online and print publications. And by fostering a community of patrons, collectors and educators, which continues to grow through an engaged public.

Craft Ontario operates in four parts as:

1. An art service provider
2. A presentation space
3. A publisher
4. A retailer

Craft Ontario’s primary areas of focus include:

1. Member services and professional development programming (workshops, conferences and the annual awards program)
2. Exhibitions that contextualize and present contemporary craft practice to the public
3. The Craft Ontario Shop, a retail presentation space that provides opportunities for members to sell their work
4. The nationally-distributed Studio magazine, which fosters critical dialogue in the Canadian craft and design community.

There are many ways to give that will have a lasting impact. Please get in touch with Janna Hiemstra, Executive Director, jhiemstra@craftontario.com or 416-925-4222 x 225, to discuss any questions related to legacy giving, bequest planning, or donations of craft work. 

All donations valued above $20 will receive a charitable tax receipt. Donations by cheque can be made out to Craft Ontario, and mailed to 1106 Queen St W, Toronto ON, M6J 1H9.

We can accept gifts of publicly traded stocks and securities. Donations of $20 or more receive a charitable tax receipt. Please fill out a Donate Stocks & Securities Form

Of course, you can mail your donation to:

1106 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1H9
Canada

Print this donation form

• Attendance and visitor services at the Craft Ontario Shop and Gallery
• Fundraising event support
• Exhibition assistance: installation and Gallery maintenance
• Photographic documentation of our events and activities
• General office assistance: mailings, database entry and word processing
• Retail and visual merchandising support at the Craft Ontario Shop
• Publication support: ad sales and copy editing
• Graphic design services: web and print
• Social networking support
• Grant writing assistance
• Represent Craft Ontario at craft and industry shows 
• Be a Craft Ontario Ambassador! Bring info about Craft Ontario and our programs and services into your region or to your association/group

If you have an area of expertise that you think could be of use to us that's not listed here, please fill out the form!

We are in need of people that can commit to ongoing hours and who can take initiative in their role.

• A successful volunteer has the ability to volunteer on a consistent basis (such as every two weeks, not short term or sporadic availability)
• A successful volunteer likes to interact with people, and is a self-directed person who can self-manage tasks once they are trained.

Director Roles and Responsibilities:

• Serve as Charitable Trustees
• Serve in a voluntary capacity with no remuneration or profit
• Be knowledgeable about the values, mission, programs and performance of the organization and act as an ambassador, promoting the work of the organization
• Evaluate strategic and business plan development, progress and effectiveness
• Actively participate in Board meetings, one strategic planning session and the Annual General Meeting
• Oversee and participate in fund development activities, including working with staff to identify and recruit new funders, being aware of and acknowledge the organization’s key donors, participating in donor recognition and stewardship activities
• Donate to the organization in accordance to one’s means

Board meetings take place online, as directors live throughout Ontario.

Please get in touch with Executive Director, Janna Hiemstra at jhiemstra@craftontario.com or 416-925-4222 x225