*EXTENDED DEADLINE: 9th January 2022* Call for exhibitors to show at The Saltaire Makers Fair at Saltaire Arts Trail, 30 April - 2 May 2022. We are looking for CONTEMPORARY CRAFT designer-makers working in a wide range of handmade disciplines to exhibit work over the three days of the early May Bank Holiday in Victoria Hall, located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire. *Please note, this opportunity is one of three strands open for applications within the Saltaire Arts Trail programme of events.*

Saltaire Inspired are looking to select and showcase high-quality, innovative work with A FOCUS ON HANDMADE PRACTICES in ceramics, textiles, jewellery, glass, metal, artists' books, paper, leather, wood, furniture, plastics, fashion textiles and accessories, printmaking and mixed media. 

Applications with a focus on painting, drawing, photography or other Fine Art practices WLL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY, but should consider applying for the 'Open Village' opportunity instead.

Event dates: Saturday 30th April - Monday 2nd May 2022 (May Day Bank Holiday)

The Saltaire Makers Fair

Held twice a year, Saltaire Inspired's Saltaire Makers Fairs have a growing reputation for providing a showcase for some of the best contemporary craft available for sale or commission in the north of England and, increasingly, further afield. Audiences will have the opportunity to see unique and original handmade products, buy directly from the artists and makers, and meet the creative talent behind the work. The venue, Victoria Hall in Saltaire, is both attractive and historically unique, a great setting for a contemporary craft fair, and we regularly see 1000 - 1500 visitors per day through the doors. The Fair will include artist demonstrations, a popular Art Tombola and there will be a pop-up cafe with delicious sweet and savoury snacks.

The Saltaire Makers Fair will form a part of the wider programme of events within Saltaire Inspired's annual festival of contemporary visual art, the Saltaire Arts Trail, which has been running since 2006, and is sited in the unique public and private spaces of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire village. Over three days, Saltaire becomes a magnet for visitors. As well as The Saltaire Makers Fair, there are commissioned exhibitions and installations, free creative family workshops, and the famous Open Houses and Windows - a village wide gallery of contemporary art in the Grade II listed homes and windows of Saltaire residents.

Visit the Saltaire Inspired website to find out more.

Appropriate Covid-19 health and safety measures will be in place, suitable for the time that the event will take place.

Some comments from exhibitors: -

"Friendly yet professional feel. High quality makers"

"Excellent marketing and buzz"

"Very good footfall with plenty of people willing to buy work"

"Saltaire is wonderful because it brings designer/makers and people who are really interested in art work together in one place"

"Enjoyed the event very much and made to feel special by both organisers and visitors"

Artistic Policy and Selection

We aim to showcase the original work of independent artists, makers and designers.  All work must be handmade by the exhibitor themselves and original in concept. We are looking for work that is of gallery quality, contemporary and interesting. We do not accept or promote work constructed from assembled pieces, kit-based items or mass-produced reproductions of works in other media. Limited edition prints must be original. 

Our Saltaire Makers Fairs have a specific focus on showcasing handmade and contemporary craft, therefore we are unable to accept applications of traditional Fine Art practices, such as painting, drawing and photography. Artists wishing to show Fine Art works should consider applying for our Open Village opportunity, which runs alongside The Saltaire Makers Fair during the Saltaire Arts Trail weekend.

Returning artists and makers will be expected to exhibit a significant proportion of new work. If you have exhibited with us before, please make sure you include details of proposed new work in your application.

An independent panel of arts professionals will make the selection. The 2022 panel will be announced on the Saltaire Inspired website. 

Saltaire Inspired is committed to inclusion and diversity and particularly encourages applications from artists whose backgrounds and lived experience are underrepresented in the visual arts, contemporary craft and design sectors. If you would value a pre application conversation or have questions about showing your work within the Saltaire Makers Fair, please contact us.

Before submitting an application, applicants MUST read the 'Opportunity FAQs' section for full details and requirements for this event. This can be found towards the top of the page, below the event title, by clicking the tab in green text.

Demonstrations

We are able to offer a limited number of spaces to artists wishing to demonstrate their craft, this is a great opportunity to engage visitors and encourage sales. A discount on pitch fees will be offered to those exhibitors selected to run demonstrations that feature an activity for visitors to watch or take part in. See the 'Opportunity FAQs' section for details, and include details in your application if you wish to be considered.

Costs

STANDARD SPACE: £185 for 3 days - Approximate floor space of 8x4 ft, including a 6x2 ft table and up to 2 chairs if required. You are welcome to bring your own free-standing display boarding etc. to set up within this space.

SMALL DISPLAY SPACE: £215 for 3 days - Standard Space +  display board measuring approximately 4x3 ft (total space to display on board, above table height), with legs that make 6.5ft height in total. Includes a flexible hanging system, no spotlights but access to power may be requested.

LARGE DISPLAY SPACE: £245 for 3 days - Standard Space + display boards measuring approximately 8x4 ft (total space to display on board, above table height) with legs that make 6.5ft height in total. Includes a flexible hanging system and 2 spotlights.

DEMONSTRATION SPACE: a £40 reduction on the above prices, please state your stand preference in your application. May include a small amount additional space for demonstrations to take place in, to be agreed (no extra space can be given for demonstrations taking place in a Large Display Space).

Please state which pitch type you would prefer in your application, by selecting either STANDARD, SMALL DISPLAY, or LARGE DISPLAY from the drop down menu.

Fees will be requested upon successful application and must be paid by Friday 4th March 2022. No commission will be taken on sales.

How to apply

Make your submission via Curatorspace, uploading between 4 - 10 good quality images, please include one image of a previous stand display if possible. Please ensure that you upload and attach each image individually. Your application will be judged on your images and information given in your application, so good, clear quality images are essential.

A non-refundable administration fee of £6 will be required for all submissions. As a volunteer-led charitable organisation, this helps us to cover the administrational costs of carrying out a fair and unbiased selection process with an independent panel of industry professional judges.

The administration fee should be paid no later than the closing date of Sunday 9th January 2022, in order for your application to be considered. The £6 administrational does not guarentee you a place within the Saltaire Makers Fair, all applications are subject to a selection process. Before you submit your application, you will be directed to Curatorspace's secure payment portal in order to make payment of the application fee and to complete your submission.

Who are Saltaire Inspired?

Largely volunteer-led, Saltaire Inspired creates exhibitions and projects within the World Heritage Site of Saltaire village, responding to Bradford’s cultural heritage and strengths. We promote and develop artists and their practice, showcase and sell high-quality contemporary craft and design, engage and inspire the local community and aim to make visual arts accessible and engaging through the use of private and public buildings. Saltaire Inspired is a registered charity.

IMPORTANT NOTE - Before submitting your application, please read the 'Opportunity FAQs' section for full details and requirements for this event. This can be found towards the top of the page, below the event title, by clicking the tab in green text.