Craft Alliance ~ Alliance métiers d’arts

Craft Industry Moves Forward
Cape Breton to Lead New Industry Association

Two well known Cape Bretoners in the craft industry, will lead a new pan-Atlantic craft industry trade association. Carol Beaton, Executive Director of the Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design was recently confirmed as the first President of Craft Alliance ~ Alliance métiers d’arts at the recent inaugural meeting of the new organizations Board of Directors in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Former Glace Bay native Bernard Burton is the new organizations Executive Director.

Craft Alliance is an organization comprised of regionally based craft organizations consisting of the provincial craft councils and guilds, craft media organizations and other craft related industry, educational or government organizations, interested in supporting the further development of the craft industry in Atlantic Canada.

Bernard Burton Executive Director, Craft Alliance Carol Beaton President, Craft Alliance
“This is a great opportunity for craft industry leaders to come together, to look at the craft industry from a regional perspective and cooperatively move the industry forward in new directions,” says Beaton.

The key purpose of this new industry specific alliance is to provide marketing opportunities for Atlantic Canadian producers of craft, giftware and apparel products and to encourage entry into wholesale and export markets and to enhance the professionalism, education and advancement of the sector in Atlantic Canada.

“Market development and innovation in new areas like cultural tourism, product licensing, online marketing and niche market development, are key for craft producers in our region to grow their businesses and remain sustainable,” says Burton.

Craft Alliance will produce the annual Atlantic Craft Trade Show (ACTS), which is now in its 33rd year of assisting producers in the region. ACTS will be the Premier event for Craft Alliance ~ Alliance métiers d’art.

Craft Alliance will also lead the industry by working to develop other regionally based projects to assist in furthering the goals of the partner organizations and their members. Craft Alliance is based in Halifax, NS.

Learn more about Craft Alliance ~ Alliance métiers d’arts by visiting their website: www.craftalliance.ca