Customs House Artisan Incubator
Are you looking to start or grow your contemporary craft business?
The Customs House Artisan Incubator can help. Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design and the Town of Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, have teamed up to provide a space that cushions participants from the risks of starting a craft business and encourages them to contribute to a thriving community. Through a fully equipped affordable studio space, business and technique guidance and mentorship, and sales and marketing opportunities, you can go from the dream or the start-up stage to a full-time craft business reality. The program is specifically tailored to support your first steps to develop your practice into a sustainable business.
Program Features
Studio Space
- 24-hours a day, 365 per year access to a 1500 square-foot accessible building.
- Shared, fully equipped affordable studio space.
- All studios have running water and natural light.
- Year-round retail space for craft sales with point-of-sale system.
- Public washroom with a washer & dryer set.
- High speed wireless Internet.
- Access to adobe programs and a photography light box.
Business Development
- Business & technical mentorship
- Trade-show and market practice & opportunities
- Sales & marketing opportunities
- One-to-one business support
- Workshops & seminars provided by our in-house team alongside a panel of industry experts
Eligibility
To qualify, individuals must:
- Be new or emerging craftspeople with design and technical skills.
- Show talent and innovation.
- Want a full-time career as a professional craftsperson.
- Have at least the beginnings of a marketable craft product line with the potential for creative and technical development.
- Ability to work without a studio technician, and to problem-solve technical issues with equipment.
Questions? Contact cassie@capebretoncraft.com.
Applications are open until studios are filled.
Click here for the application to apply.
Customs House Community Hub
The Creative Community Hub is intended to provide local makers and artists with access to studio space on a scheduled basis while being connectors for artists relocating to Port Hawkesbury to develop their professional creative practice. Are you interested in championing craft and design in the Town of Port Hawkesbury and surrounding areas on behalf of Unama’ki Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design? Tell us a little more about yourself! Customs House Creative Community Hub -Local Ambassador Application
Our Participants
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