Small steps make for big ripples

We’ve been busy and would love to share with you what we have been doing to support the viability of the Alberta craft sector in recent months:

In the last year,

We have expanded our advocacy for the viability of a vibrant Alberta craft community both provincially and federally in response to Covid-19.
We launched an Online Shop, which has exponentially broadened the audience for our members’ handcrafted products.
We expanded the hours dedicated to Member services to increase support for our craft community, continuing to be an important resource for our artist members with targeted one-on-one professional development and consultation opportunities.
We are further reducing our footprint by improving our already environmentally conscious packaging and print material.
We grew our digital content with our audience and members in mind, including Artist lectures, Webinars and professional development along with some fun behind-the-scenes Craft Studio Stories.
We hosted the inaugural Craft Collaborations fundraiser, which saw artist pairs collaborate on artwork and resulted in over $12,000 raised! With many of the artists choosing to donate their portion back, a total of $8000 will directly contribute to our advocacy and promotion of fine craft in Alberta.

From Alberta's craft community…

Fireweed Studio, Canmore. Photo by Alexis McKeown

“In addition to the importance of its role as a community builder, The Alberta Craft Council – and other arts organizations like it – play a critical role for artists by providing artists a voice through advocacy and education with governments and the public about the important contribution artists make to our communities and the issues that artists face. For example, the ACC executive teamed up with arts organizations like CARFAC to educate the Federal Government on changes needed in the CERB legislation so it would not exclude professional artists (many of whom are lower-income sole proprietors) who were hit hard by the economic shutdown. This is far from the only instance of advocacy, as arts organizations have fought for artists to be treated fairly in everything from business and contracts to the tax code. We need a strong Alberta Craft Council so we can continue to have a collective voice both Provincially and Federally and ensure that professional artists and craftspeople can continue to run businesses that remain viable.”
-Nicole Tremblay, Fireweed Glass Studio, Canmore

Janet Grabner, Caracol Clay Studio. East Coulee

“I think it is very important to belong to an organization such as the Alberta Craft Council. There is strength in unity. As artists we can share ideas and talk about our work and how we got to where we are and where we are going as artisans. Groups such as the ACC provide guidance for new members and allows mentoring from the more experienced artists.
The ACC provides show opportunities, provides information on guilds looking for instructors and grant information. All important information that comes from the one source. I am happy there is an organization like the Alberta Craft Council that has stood the test of time. This shows the importance of the ACC to artisans in Alberta.”
Janet Grabner, Caracol Clay Studio, East Coulee