Call for artists: 2026 Pride in Craft

by Carole Epp | Apr 28, 2026 | call for entry

Artwork in image by ceramic artist Julian Miholics (@julianmiholics), featured in Pride in Craft 2025: This Way Forward

Craft Ontario is seeking submissions for an in-person retail feature that will highlight the recent work of 2SLGBTQIAP+ Craft Artists from June 12 – July 12, 2026, as well as a written feature on the Craft Ontario website.

This feature has developed over the past several years from a partnership with the ArQuives, in which Craft Ontario presented craft items from fonds in relation to the work of current craft artists, to last year’s online juried feature of recent works of seven extraordinary trans and queer craft artists in Ontario, to now being a juried feature with access to a wider arts market in the Craft Ontario Shop.

“Craft” typically involves handmade objects with a functional purpose, using the following materials:

• Glass
• Clay
• Textile
• Wood
• Metal
• Paper
• Printmaking
• Stone
• If your material/medium is not listed but you believe your work still fits the “Craft” criteria, please submit!
  

With the purpose of selling the accepted work, this year’s Pride in Craft offers artists the opportunity to highlight a range of work, including large or one-of-a-kind pieces, and production work in the Craft Ontario Queen Shop – located at 1106 Queen St W, Toronto, ON. All work displayed in the Feature must be for sale and should have the potential to sell in a retail setting.

Accepted applicants will receive the following:

• Artwork displayed in the Craft Ontario Queen Shop for the specified duration
• A complimentary 1-year Maker Membership to Craft Ontario
• A selection of the featured works available on the Online Shop
• Name, biography, and artist statement shared in the Online Shop alongside the work for sale
• Accepted artworks promoted on Craft Ontario social channels
• A written feature in a dedicated blogpost, providing context and an in-depth review of the artwork

Key Dates:

• Application Deadline: May 12, 2026, 11:59 PM EST
• Application response sent to accepted artists, May 15, 2026
• Artwork dropped off at the Craft Ontario Queen Shop, May 28 – June 4, 2026
• Feature on view and works available for purchase, June 12 – July 12, 2026
• Unsold artwork picked up from the Craft Ontario Queen Shop, July 13-19

Please Note:

• There is no charge associated with this application
• You do not have to be a current Craft Ontario Member to apply for this opportunity

If you have any questions regarding applying to Pride in Craft 2026, please email [email protected]

MORE INFO HERE.