The NWT Arts Program, through the Artist to Market Program, is calling for applications from Northwest Territories (NWT) visual artists who are ready to show and sell their artwork at markets outside the territory.
There are five (5) different market opportunities for NWT artists this year:
- CRAFTED: Show and Sale:
- Three-day market in Winnipeg, MB, November 6-8, 2026
- Eight fine craft artists will be selected for this opportunity
- Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week:
- Four-evening market in Vancouver, BC, November 18-21, 2026
- Five Indigenous jewellery/fashion artists will be selected for this opportunity
- OddBird Art & Craft Fair:
- Three-day market in Edmonton, AB, November 27-29, 2026
- Three to four artists creating unique/funky art or fine craft will be selected for this opportunity
- Adàwàning: Indigenous Women’s Art Market at the National Arts Centre:
- Two-day market in Ottawa, ON, December 5-6, 2026
- Three Indigenous, female-identifying art or fine craft artists will be selected for this opportunity
- Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly, Circle of Trade (Show):
- Three-day market in Ottawa, ON, December 8-10, 2026
- Four to five Indigenous art or fine craft artists will be selected for this opportunity
Artists that are interested in attending any of these markets should apply to the NWT Arts Program using the Artist to Market Application Form by Sunday, May 31, 2026.
To be considered, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Registered in the NWT Arts Program and currently reside in the NWT.
- Able to travel to and participate in the entire market with the NWT cohort of artists.
- Have $4,000 minimum inventory at a variety of price points to sell at the market.
- Have some marketing experience selling your artwork direct-to-consumers.
- Have or be willing to set up a point-of-sale system to complete their own sales.
Selection of Artists:
- Applications will be reviewed and scored using the Artist to Market Program Jury Rubric.
- Artists will be selected in an attempt to ensure a variety of work and a diversity of artists from across the NWT are represented.
- A different cohort of artists from across the NWT will be chosen for each opportunity.
- Artists who have not participated in Artist to Market Program before (Step 1) will be prioritized, but artists who have participated in the Artist to Market Program before (Step 2-4) are encouraged to apply.
Support to Artists:
- Selected artists are required to attend regular meetings to ensure they are market-ready for this event.
- Selected artists will receive funding to attend this opportunity.
- Step 1 artists will be fully funded for eligible expenses.
- Step 2-4 artists will be required to contribute equity to access funding.
- Funding will cover expenses such as airfare, checked baggage, ground transportation and accommodations.
- No per diems/incidentals will be provided.
- An NWT Arts representative will be there for support throughout the event.
NWT Arts will hold an online information session on Wednesday, May 20 at 6:00 PM:
- In this online session, NWT Arts will explain the Artist to Market Program, the different market opportunities available for artists this year, and go over the application form so artists can know how best to fill out it out.
- To register for the information session, click here.
If you have any questions, please contact the NWT Arts Program at nwtarts@gov.nt.ca