• Alberta Craft Symbol of Quality Program
• Why Is It Necessary To Have A Jury Process?
• The Jury
• Jury Criteria
• Who May Submit Their Crafts For Jurying?
• Jury Fees
• What Crafts May Be Submitted For Jurying?
• Government Labelling, Health And Safety Regulations
• How Do I Apply? - Down loadable forms
• Steps to submit an application
• Guidelines For Slide Entries
• Guidelines For Sample Entries
• Jury Procedure
• Results Notification
• Licensing Fees
• Licensing Agreement
• Powers Of Revocation
• What Happens If My Work Is Not Accepted?
• New Work By Members With Licensed Crafts

Alberta Craft Symbol of Quality Program
The Alberta Craft Council’s Symbol of Quality Program acknowledges the makers of quality, Alberta-made crafts for their high degree of creativity and craftsmanship, and establishes a benchmark for quality that all craft producers in Alberta can strive to achieve. Most importantly, the Symbol of Quality will increase the public’s awareness and appreciation of all objects made by hand, and give crafts a higher profile and value in the marketplace.

The Alberta Craft symbol, developed specifically for the ACC Symbol of Quality Program, designates those crafts that have met the high standard of quality established by the Symbol of Quality Program after review by the ACC’s panel of jurors.

Craft producers must pass through a jury process before accreditation is granted to carry the Symbol of Quality.

Why Is It Necessary To Have A Jury Process?
The ACC believes that terms like “best”, “finest”, “genuine”, “authentic” and “original” are important to craft marketing, however, such claims need to be justifiable. Therefore, it is important for our industry to define quality and to support Alberta’s reputation for creating quality crafts. Careful selection and monitoring of the work promoted by our industry through the ACC’s Symbol of Quality Program will establish our industry’s credibility and enhance Alberta’s reputation for creating and producing quality crafts.

The Jury
The ACC’s jury is comprised of five craft produces from Alberta whose work and expertise are nationally and internationally recognized. An ACC board member will serve as a sixth juror to reflect the purpose and opinion of the organization. Together, the jury represents an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the five major craft production areas of clay, glass, fibre, wood, and metal. In consideration of the highly diverse nature of contemporary and traditional craft, additional technical expertise will be made available to the jury, as required.

Jury Criteria
The ACC will instruct the jury to keep the following three important considerations in mind when making their decisions:

1. that the main reasons for the jury process are:
• to maintain a good technical standard for the works that carry the Symbol of Quality; and

• to ensure that designs are original or skilfully reflect traditional (heritage/historical) designs;

2. that the question of marketability/saleability is left to the judgement of buyers; and

3. that the purpose of the ACC’s Symbol of Quality serves as a marketing tool for quality, Alberta- made crafts, and that it is not a symbol of excellence reserved for a small number of highly trained craftspeople.

Who May Submit Their Crafts For Jurying?
All craft makers submitting work to the jury must be members of the ACC. Crafts must be created by Alberta residents (residency is determined by having a permanent residence in the Province of Alberta for six months prior to the date the jury meets). Alberta-based businesses or organizations with the majority of their employees or members residing in Alberta and most of the craft production occurring in Alberta, are also eligible. Businesses and organizations must also be members of the ACC.

The goal of the ACC’s Symbol of Quality Program is to build image and recognition of quality, Alberta-made crafts in the marketplace, which will lead to an increase in their value. All craft makers who sell their work in galleries, by commission or through retail craft shops, giftware shops, craft fairs, and other retail outlets are encouraged to apply.

Jury Fees
All craft makers who submit work to the Symbol of Quality jury will pay a jury fee of $50. As an educational service, written recommendations intended to help you to improve the quality of your crafts will be provided.

What Crafts May Be Submitted For Jurying?
An object is considered a craft when the maker maintains complete control over the making of each individual object. “Complete control” is defined by the craft maker having direct supervision over each stage of the creative production process.

The following categories of crafts can be submitted for review by the jury:

1. All crafts created from clay, glass, fibre, wood, metal, leather and other materials.

2. Crafts created using manufactured parts, pieces or fabrics if these materials are subordinate to the total design and production of the craft product.
The following categories are NOT eligible:

• two-dimensional artwork (including paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, etc.);

• works executed from commercial patterns, molds, stencils or kits of any description;

• products made solely by assemblage of purchased commercial objects, or solely by decoration of commercially produced objects;

• hand-made, unfinished materials produced to make other products (such as dried flowers, spun wool, etc.);

• crafts made using commercial craft-making activities such as decoupage, paper tole or pressed flower pictures, unless the creative and skilled use of these techniques is used to create uniquely designed and finely crafted objects.

Government Labelling, Health And Safety Regulations
Many products sold in Canada must conform to government regulations concerning labeling, health and safety. To qualify as a quality-made craft, it is important to ensure that your crafts meet these standards. The Symbol of Quality Program is your opportunity to investigate the regulations concerning the crafts you make to ensure they conform to these standards.

Information outlining the kinds of products that need to meet mandatory and voluntary standards can be obtained by contacting Industry Canada, Consumer Products, #301, 510 - 12 Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2R 0H3, Phone: (403) 292-6183, Fax: (403) 292-6175. Please fill out the Government Labelling, Health and Safety Regulations: Compliance Form that requires you to address these issues. The jury will also be instructed to look for any obvious violations of these regulations. Ultimately, however, it is you, the craft maker, and not the jury or the ACC, who is responsible for ensuring that your crafts meet these standards/regulations.

Time spent informing yourself and ensuring that your crafts meet these standards will ensure that you have met your responsibility and obligations as a craft maker. By doing so, this will raise the level of professionalism within our industry, and may also help you avoid unnecessary and costly lawsuits in the future.

If you have questions about children’s products, glazed ceramics or textiles, please contact Health Canada, Product Safety Program (780) 495-2480. If you have questions concerning the packaging, labelling or marking of textiles or precious metals (including silver), the ACC has copies of the guidelines at its office; or contact Industry Canada, Consumer Products (780) 495-2485. If you are having difficulty finding the information you need, please call the Program staff at the ACC, toll free in Alberta 1-800-DO CRAFT (1-800-362-7238).

How Do I Apply?
To apply to have your crafts juried, simply phone the Alberta Craft Council office and ask for these following forms:

• Symbol of Quality Jury Application Form.

• Craft Entry Form(s).

• Slide List Form(s).

• Government Labelling, Health and Safety Regulations: Compliance Form(s).



These forms will soon be available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. You will require Adobe Acrobat Reader (download it for free from Adobe's web site) to view the file.

Steps to Submit an Application
To help you prepare your submission to the jury, the following step-by-step method is suggested:

1. Fill out a Symbol of Quality Jury Application Form. This Form provides the ACC with contact information, confirmation of your membership and permanent residency in Alberta, and a record of your payment.

2. You are also asked to provide us with a list of locations where you sell your work. This list will be used to provide these locations with marketing materials to promote the Alberta Craft Symbol of Quality and to develop the Symbol of Quality Program Directory.

3. On the back of this form you are asked to provide the ACC with additional information that can be included in your ACC portfolio.

4. Fill out the Craft Entry Form. This Form provides the Symbol of Quality jury with information about your crafts, including the materials you use, the techniques and processes you use to create your work, origin of design and other significant features about your work. It also includes a list of the samples you are sending to the jury. To help you decide what crafts to submit to the jury, we suggest the following:

• Consider all of the different types of work you currently sell.

• Divide the work into categories according to the type of materials and techniques you use. When the materials and/or techniques substantially change, put these works into another category. (The design of one-of-a-kind works may be unique to each piece, but if the work uses the same materials and techniques, group them together into one category.)

• For each category of craft work you make, select three (3) to ten (10) high quality colour slides, and three (3) to five (5) samples of your work. Slides and samples should provide the jurors with an understanding of the variety of work you make in each category of work. Slides should be of different pieces. Include a slide detail of the work to show technical skill. If you create only one or two different designs, then you will only need a few slides to reflect your work. A larger number of slides can be used, as required, to show the variety of designs you make in each category.

• For example:

• A potter makes several different designs of stoneware pottery fired in an electric kiln, one-of-a-kind raku pieces and salt-fired pottery in a gas kiln. This potter should submit three categories of work, because each type of ceramics he/she makes requires very different technical knowledge.

• A silversmith makes a wide variety of silver jewellery, all using a forging technique. He/she also makes silver vessels using a raising technique. This silversmith should submit two categories, one for each type of silver work he/she makes.

• A basketmaker uses a variety of natural materials to make his/her baskets, but the materials and techniques he/she uses do not vary enough to warrant separate categories. The skills he/she brings to the making of each basket are basically the same. This basketmaker only needs to submit one category. If he/she begins to make and sell willow furniture, he/she will need to submit their willow work as a separate category.

• For the single jury fee of $50, you can submit as many categories as you need to cover the complete range of work you sell. This range of work may all be within a single medium. You may also submit categories of work in more than one medium. Remember, a new category is required only when the materials and techniques you use substantially change. Each category indicates that you require different skills and/or technical knowledge to create your work. Each category is considered a separate entry.

• To make it easier to answer the questions on the Craft Entry Form, photocopy or download the blank form and answer the questions in relation to each different category of work.

• Photocopy the completed form and send one copy with the application form and enclose one copy with the samples you are sending to the jury. The samples sent should be the same as the ones listed on your form.

• Select your slides. Print the information required on each slide and put them into a plastic slide sheet. Fill out the Slide Sheet Form.

• Fill out a Government Labeling, Health and Safety Regulations: Compliance Form, one for each Craft Entry Form submitted. (Remember, health and safety regulations may change when different techniques or materials are used.)

• Then send all your forms, slides and samples to the Alberta Craft Council offices at 10106 - 124 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1P6.

Please contact the Program staff if you have any questions regarding your application to the Symbol of Quality Program at (780) 488-6611 or toll free in Alberta 1-800 DO CRAFT (362-7238).

Guidelines For Slide Entries
Applications will be pre-screened prior to the jury session to ensure that each slide entry meets the needs of the jury and the Program. In the event slides are determined to be of poor quality, you will be notified and given the opportunity to resubmit quality slides prior to the jury session, if time allows. If time does not allow, the application will be held until quality slides can be provided, and then submitted to the next jury session.

Each entry of slides MUST be in colour and must meet the standard 2"x2" slide mount. Photographs, black and white slides, or slides made from 110 Instamatic cameras WILL NOT be accepted. Slides MUST be accompanied by the Slide List Form, which forms a part of each entry.

Guidelines For Sample Entries
Each entry of samples MUST be accompanied by a COPY of the completed Craft Entry Form. This form includes a list of the samples you are sending and will help us keep track of your samples.

ALL SAMPLES MUST BE CAREFULLY PACKAGED, whether mailed or hand-delivered. Craftspeople creating large items, such as furniture or extremely fragile work, are requested to contact the Program staff to arrange for this delivery to avoid unnecessary hardship regarding packaging, shipping and delivery of work.

Applicants are responsible for picking up samples at the designated time, or must provide return shipping payment. A cheque or money order payable to the Alberta Craft Council with self-addressed shipping label(s) must be included for return shipment. All samples will be repackaged in the same packing material in which they came. Cost of insurance during shipping is the responsibility of the applicant. All work will be insured by the ACC when it is received in good condition until it is removed from the ACC premises.

Just as quality photography is important for slide entries, professional sample presentation will also enhance your work. Where appropriate, items mounted or framed should use quality materials that complement the quality, design and materials used in your work.

Jury Procedure
Two jury sessions are planned to be held each year. Dates and locations will be announce on this site and in the Alberta Craft Magazine well in advance.

Slide submissions are divided into categories, by medium, by the Program staff. Slides in each category are sent to the juror with expertise in that medium to determine if any additional expert opinions are required to fairly judge the technical and/or traditional/ historical/heritage merit of the work. Outside opinions are sought by the Program staff as directed by the jury.

When the jury meets, each entry is scored on a points basis in the areas of design and technical competency. Acceptance of each entry (category of work) is based on the average score exceeding 50% in each area. A third category of “Overall Impression” allows the jury to consider the work as a whole.

Each entry will be scored individually. Applicants submitting more than one entry may find that some, but not all, of their entries have been accepted.

Results Notification
The Program staff will send notification of status with comments from the jury to each applicant within one month following each jury session. All notifications will be sent through the mail. Results will not be given over the phone.

Slides of successful entries will be kept in your file as a visual record of the work accepted by the Symbol of Quality jury. These slides will be used as resources to monitor that the quality of work is being maintained, and as promotional material for the Symbol of Quality Program. Application information and scoring sheets for successful entries will also be kept on file. Slides and any biographical/promotional information included with the application will also be used to keep an updated portfolio of your work.

Licensing Fees
Crafts approved by the jury will be licensed to display the Alberta Craft Symbol of Quality. Craft makers will pay an annual license fee of $60 for the right to use this symbol to distinguish their successfully juried crafts in the marketplace.
This fee must be paid each year to maintain your active standing and participation in the Symbol of Quality Program. This fee is used to support the annual marketing campaign conducted on an on-going basis to support consumer awareness of the Symbol of Quality and its meaning. It is this marketing campaign that will improve image and recognition of quality, Alberta-made crafts, and which will ultimately increase the value of these crafts in the marketplace.

Craft makers will be required to re-register to participate in the Symbol of Quality Program on an annual basis. You will not be required to re-submit successfully juried crafts, as long as the standard of quality approved by the jury is maintained.

Licensing Agreement
Members with licensed crafts will receive guidelines outlining the use and application of the Symbol of Quality. As part of the licensing agreement, you will be required to sign a document which confirms your understanding of the terms of the Agreement and your willingness to comply with the rules and guidelines as established from time to time by the ACC.

Powers Of Revocation
The ACC will retain the right to revoke the licensed status of your crafts at any time should it be determined that any terms of the Agreement have been breached. Circumstances warranting revocation may include:

• Failure to renew the annual license fees.

• Reproduction of the Symbol of Quality on materials other than those developed or approved by the ACC.

• Application of the Symbol of Quality to non-juried craft products.

• Failure to maintain the standard of quality of the licensed crafts approved by the jury.

What Happens If My Work Is Not Accepted?
Applicants whose crafts are not accepted by the jury during a particular jury session may resubmit their work to the jury as many times as they wish. Jurors’ comments should be taken into consideration and appropriate changes made towards successfully reapplying to future jury sessions.

Although there is no appeal process, the Symbol of Quality Program staff and the ACC’s Product Development Support staff are available for consultation regarding suggested improvements of your work.

All of the ACC’s programs and services are designed to work independently of each other. Your work does not require acceptance into the Symbol of Quality Program in order to be included in any other ACC marketing programs such on-line portfolios or the Alberta Craft Gallery (the ACC’s retail store). The ACC’s exhibition program is also guided by other ACC committees, juries, curators and program staff.

New Work By Members With Licensed Crafts
The Symbol of Quality Program wishes to encourage the evolution of juried members’ creative work. New designs are encouraged within the categories of work that have been accepted by the jury. You may include your new designs under your licensing agreement, as long as the materials and techniques used to create these new designs remain within the same categories already approved by the jury, and as long as you maintain the standards for quality approved by the jury in your new designs.

However, work in a different medium or work that represents a substantial departure in technique and/or materials from the category of work originally accepted, must be approved through the jury system. Please refrain from promoting this new work with Symbol of Quality marketing materials until you have submitted this new category of work for review by the jury. If you are not sure whether or not your new work should be submitted, please contact Program staff at the ACC.