NWT Arts

The NWT Arts Program is inviting applications from Indigenous NWT sealskin artists to participate in the 2026 Sealskin Workshop. This three and a half day workshop will be held March 27-30, 2026 in Ulukhaktok.

The purpose of this workshop is to advance the skills of sealskin artists and support a stronger fur industry in the NWT. It is anticipated that artists who participate in this workshop will begin to sell their work on the Proudly Indigenous Crafts and Designs website. 

This invitation is open to Indigenous NWT artists who already have experience working with sealskin and are interested in advancing their technical and creative skills. Participants will learn how to grade skins, design and use patterns, use fur and leather sewing machines, and more. 

There are ten spots available for this workshop. All materials and supplies will be provided, and there is no cost to participate. 

To be considered, you must meet all of the following criteria: 

• Registered in the NWT Arts Program and currently reside in the NWT
• Be able to participate in the entire three and a half day workshop
• Have experience working with seal

The deadline to apply is Sunday, February 1, 2026. 

To apply, please send the following information to nwtarts@gov.nt.ca. 

• Your full name and community 
• Your current phone number 
• Two current photos of sealskin artwork you make now
• A statement confirming you can participate in the entire three and a half day workshop (from Friday, March 27 to Monday, March 30) in Ulukhaktok.
• A statement explaining why you want to participate in this opportunity 

Travel, accommodations, and honorarium are not provided for this project. If you are planning to travel from outside Ulukhaktok, you must provide your own transportation and accommodations. To inquire if funding may be available for you to attend this workshop, please contact your local Business Development Officer (ITI).

If you have any questions, please contact the NWT Arts Program at nwtarts@gov.nt.ca. If you would like to apply over the phone please call (867) 767-9219 ext. 63097. Or visit Helena Ekootak at the Ulukhaktok Community Corporation office to apply in person. 

The NWT Arts Program, in partnership with Makers, is calling for NWT fine craft jewelry artists to apply to have their work sold in the West Edmonton Mall location during the months of November 2025 and December 2025, as part of the Northern Creations: A NWT Makers Showcase. This is the second phase of this partnership, which aims to place artwork from NWT artists in Makers stores across Canada. Makers is committed to providing accessible retail space to local artists and are excited to be working with NWT Arts Program to feature NWT artists in this store leading right up to Christmas! Chosen artists will receive 100% of their retail price (minus transaction fees).

• This call is open to NWT jewellery artists that are registered in the NWT Arts Program and currently reside in the NWT.
• This opportunity is mainly for artists making jewellery, mainly under the $50 mark with a few pieces up to $80. Think small, beaded pieces!
• From the applications, 3 artists will be chosen for November 2025, and 3 artists will be chosen for December 2025.
• As the first placement is a very tight turn around, chosen artists will need to deliver artwork in a very short timeframe and will be asked in the application form about their ability to do this. Those applying for December have a bit more time to produce and deliver artwork.
• Artists should send about 20 items in the initial shipment and be prepared for a second shipment at anytime if the first inventory sells well and more is needed in their placement month.
• NWT Arts will work with chosen artists on the layout/display of their work on the shelf space and tagging of artwork through the Markers online platform.   
• NWT Arts will cover the cost of the shelf space, provide supports for the artwork (if required), create marketing materials for the artist to be displayed with their work, develop overall signage for the top shelf, and cover the shipping of all these items to the participating store. 

To apply, please complete this application form by Sunday October 12, 2025.

Artists will be juried on the completeness of their application and the work they are putting forth according to the guidelines in this call. Chosen artists will be notified by October 14, 2025. 

If you have any questions, please contact the NWT Arts Program at nwtarts@gov.nt.ca

The NWT Arts Program, in partnership with International Fur Dressers from Winnipeg, Manitoba, is hosting a workshop for Indigenous fine craft artists to learn more about grading and blocking tanned fur pelts. This hands-on session will introduce participants to these techniques and skills needed for choosing and preparing pelts for use in high-quality fur products and garments.

The workshop will be held 
Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 6:00 – 8:00 pm 
at Northern United Place in Yellowknife

 There is no cost to participate in this workshop. Participants must bring their own tanned fur pelt to grade and block. Pelts are available for artists to purchase from the Artist’s Hide and Fur Shop, second floor, Scotia Centre (203-5102 50 Ave). All other supplies will be provided. 

Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.

To register, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Registered in the NWT Arts Program and currently reside in the NWT
• Be able to participate for the full two-hour session
• Provide your own pelt for the workshop
• Have experience working with fur

To register, please send the following information to nwtarts@gov.nt.ca:

• Your full name and community
• Your current phone number
• A statement confirming you can participate in the full two-hour session

The deadline to register is Sunday, October 5, 2025. 

If you have any questions, please contact the NWT Arts Program at nwtarts@gov.nt.ca. If you would like to apply over the phone, please call (867) 767-9219 ext. 63097.

The Hide and Fur Program is excited to welcome International Fur Dressers and Dyers to the Artists Hide and Fur Shop to hold a one-day sale of specialty hide and fur to NWT artists. 

Tuesday, October 14
9:00 am – 4:00 pm 
(including the lunch hour)
Second Floor, Scotia Centre

International Fur Dressers and Dyers provides fur tanning services for many of the hides and furs sold at the store, but there are many furs the shop doesn’t carry! This one-day sale will offer a variety of specialty hide and fur such as:

• Blue fox pelts dyed in a variety of bright colours
• Champagne fox pelts
• Racoon
• Coyote
• Ermine
• Rabbit
• Cow hide
• And more!

Visit, browse the shop and share input about what furs you'd like to see sold in the future. Northern expert hide tanners, artists and seamstresses are welcome to converse about the art of fur tanning and experiences in the industry. 

Contact us if you have any questions or special requests for fur! 

fursales@gov.nt.ca or 867-767-9219 ext 63107

Join us this fall for the NWT Arts Workshop Series: Selling Your Artwork, running every Thursday from October 2–30, 2025, 7–8:30pm on Zoom. This five-week series will guide artists through the essentials of building their artist profile, pricing artwork, selling directly to consumers (in person, on social media, and through e-commerce), and navigating sales through retailers and galleries. Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your skills and grow your art business—register today!

Week  1 – October 2: Introduction to Selling Your Artwork and The Artist Profile

Week  2 – October 9: Pricing Your Artwork

Week  3 – October 16: Selling Direct-to-Consumers: In-Person Sales and Social Media Selling

Week 4 – October 23: Selling Direct-to-Consumers: E-Commerce Websites and Marketing Your Artwork

Week 5 – October 30: Selling Through Retailers and Galleries

The NWT Arts Program, in partnership with the NWT Chamber of Commerce, is looking for 15 more NWT artists to participate in the 2025 NWT Handmade Holiday Market, which will be held Saturday, November 15 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm in Yellowknife at the Explorer Hotel and the Chateau Nova. Applications from outside Yellowknife will be prioritized for a spot. Apply here. Deadline for applications: September 7, 2025.

The NWT Arts Program is putting out a call for Yellowknife artists to apply to show and sell their work at the Destination Canada Business Events Advisory Committee (BEC) Welcome Reception, being held in partnership with the NWT Tourism Association. The event will take place at the Explorer Hotel on Friday, September 12 from 6:00 - 7:30pm. Five artists will be selected to participate with a focus on small/medium size works that fit in suitcases for traveling delegates. 

A table and tablecloth will be provided. There is no cost to participate. To be considered for this opportunity, you must be registered in the NWT Arts Program and currently reside in the NWT. The deadline for applications is Monday, August 4. Apply here.