Handmade Arcade Opens 2023 Holiday Market Call for Artists
Handmade Arcade opened applications for artists, makers, and craftspeople to participate in its 2023 Holiday Market. The 2022 Holiday Market brought over 11,000 shoppers and makers reported the highest sales numbers in the event’s 19-year history. Building on this record-breaking success, Handmade Arcade is excited to welcome 250 creators to participate in the region’s largest maker market.
2022 Holiday Market, Photo Credit Kitoko Chargois
“We were extremely proud to see such a strong impact for makers during the 2022 Holiday Market,” says Tricia Brancolini-Foley, Handmade Arcade’s Executive Director. “This event continues to be a critical influence on the region’s creative economy, helping independent crafters succeed in a challenging business. We are eager to welcome new faces and extend our impact even further this year.”
The 2023 Holiday Market will maintain the expanded footprint in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center that debuted during the 2022 event. This expansion will enable Handmade to host 250 makers, including 20 youth maker booths, for the iconic holiday tradition. In addition to selling their wares at the Holiday Market, accepted makers will be featured in the virtual catalog, which allows shoppers to browse and connect with makers before and after the event.
Application Details
The Holiday Market is a juried, curated marketplace focused on handmade or hand-crafted goods. While accepted makers range widely in their craft and aesthetics, all applicants should be able to demonstrate a high level of creativity, technique, and innovative thinking through their products. Categories include (but are not limited to) clothing, ceramics, housewares, jewelry, and more. Handmade Arcade does not accept mass-produced merchandise, copyrighted designs not owned by the artist, or food products.
Applications open on May 15 and close on July 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The application fee is $20 (non-refundable, although application fee assistance is available), and the acceptance fee starts at $350 for a standard booth. More details can be found on the organization’s website.
Opportunities for Early-Career Makers
The Craft Corridor is a space reserved for early-career makers who are new to selling at large in-person markets and previous Youth Maker participants who have aged out of the program. Eligible makers may apply via the general maker application, which is available from May 15–July 17. The booth fee is $175.
Youth Maker Program
The Youth Maker program is reserved for makers ages 13–19. Applications for youth makers for the 2023 Holiday Market will open in early summer. More details will be announced closer to the date.
Hands-on Activities and Large-Scale Demonstrations
Hands-on Activities applications for the 2022 Holiday Market will open in early summer. More details will be announced closer to the date.