McMichael Makers’ Market
Application Deadline
February 1, 2021
Auctions Dates
February 22 to March 12, 2021
About the Market
The McMichael Makers’ Market is an online auction featuring Indigenous and Canadian artisans, designers and makers with proceeds going to support the art of Canada. Participants will earn 50% of each sale while the remainder will go towards supporting the Gallery’s core mission, including exhibitions, educational outreach and public programs. It’s our way of giving back to small, independent Indigenous and Canadian designers and makers who contribute so much to the cultural life of our communities.
Selection Criteria
The Makers’ Market Online Auction will offer a variety of high-quality, one-of-kind items made by Indigenous and Canadian artisans. Items may include beading, ceramics, decorative sculpture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, paper, plastic/resin, pottery, stone, textile, wax, weaving, and woodworking. Please note, paintings and other forms of visual art (including photography) are excluded from this auction. Items must be in impeccable condition, ready-made but not mass-produced, and must not infringe on any copyrights or trademarks. All items must be priced with a minimum retail value of $50.
How Does it Work?
1. Apply
Submit your application through our online form including high-res images of 3 to 5 items that will be included in the auction. Please do not send physical samples.
Submit an application at
mcmichael.com/MakersMarket-Application
with details on items and required images
by February 1, 2021.
2. Selection Committee
Applications will be evaluated for quality, uniqueness and diversity by a selection committee comprised of Executive Director Ian Dejardin, Chief Curator Sarah Milroy, Manager of Retail Sales Jane Cathers, designer Dyonne Fashina, and other professionals including Debra Fenwick, owner of Fenwick Designs; Eric Pearson, Designer; and Alexa Kinney, Autumn Art Sale juror.
3. Auction Management
The McMichael will create webpages for each item on the auction website and will oversee the administration, communication, and promotion of the auction to our audiences to get the highest possible bids for your items.
4. Payment & Delivery
When the auction closes, McMichael will process the sales and e-transfer participants their share (50/50 split). Artisans will be responsible for arranging delivery or pick-up of items directly with the purchaser. Auction winners are responsible for paying shipping costs directly to the artisan.
Benefits of Participating
No Fee
No upfront costs or donated inventory necessary.
Exposure
Reach 7,500 McMichael members and 1,500 patrons.
Promotion
Includes targeted social media ads (70,000+ art-enthusiasts), online auction platform (100,000 reach), mcmichael.com website feature page, outreach through our Foundation Board, Board of Trustees and Women’s Art Council, and promotion in the McMichael newsletter (14,000 subscribers).
How to Apply
Submit an application at mcmichael.com/MakersMarket-Application with details on items and required images by February 1, 2021.