2026 Circle Craft Holiday Market Emerging Artist Grant
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    2026 Paul Yard Emerging Artist Contest - Deadline July 3, 2026

    Calling all new and emerging artists! If you've never showcased your work at Circle Craft before, now is your opportunity to WIN a FREE budding artist booth at the upcoming Circle Craft Holiday Market, November 11-15, 2026 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

    The winner will be selected by a panel of Circle Craft jurors based on the following criteria: Aesthetics & Design, Technical Competence, and Personal Style. The winner will be announced no later than July 17, 2026.

    Previously submitted 2026 Budding Artist applications will be automatically entered to win.

    Eligibility

    Emerging artist based in British Columbia
    Practicing your craft for less than 5 years
    Have not previously exhibited at the Circle Craft Holiday Market
    Must be available to participate in the full show from Wednesday, November 11 to Sunday, November 15, 2026

    No purchase necessary. Contest open to all legal residents of British Columbia.

    Circle Craft Holiday Market

    The renowned Vancouver Christmas tradition is now part of the Signatures family of shows! Circle Craft is western Canada’s largest craft market, and a premier destination for the country’s absolute finest artisans, artists and designers. This beautiful and dynamic show takes place inside the Vancouver Convention Centre, located on the downtown Vancouver waterfront with a dramatic mountain backdrop. For five days, including the Remembrance Day statutory holiday, exhibitors can expect enormous crowds of generational visitors who have been cherishing this Canadian craft institution, year after year, since 1972.

    What You Get

    One FREE Emerging Artist Booth
    3′ x 3′, open on all sides
    Valued at $590+
    Electrical included
    Media exposure, PR opportunities, and on-site highlight of your booth
    Plus all the benefits of participating in Circle Craft, including promotional exposure and the opportunity to showcase your work at one of Canada’s most celebrated craft markets

    Application Process

    Step 1 - Review and agree to our Criteria, Eligibility and Site-exclusivity requirements.
    Step 2 - Review and agree to our Terms and Conditions, Acceptance, Health Protocols and Cancellation Policy.
    Step 3 - Select your product category.
    Step 4 - List the products you wish to display and sell at the show.
    Step 5 - Complete the detailed applicant information section.
    Step 6 - Upload the four product images required for jurying.
    Step 7 - Upload your supporting materials; Workshop photo, résumé/CV, art statement and statement of production.
    Step 8 - Submit your completed application.

    Save and Return

    You always have the option to start the application process and return at a later time to complete your submission. PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER THAT IMAGE UPLOADS ARE NOT SAVED. When you click the SAVE button, we will email a link to you. You can return and complete your application at anytime.

  • Date
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  • Step 1 - Criteria | Eligibility | Site Exclusivity

    Criteria

    The Circle Craft Holiday Market is a juried event. The jury selection committee will be comprised of Signatures personnel and members of the Circle Craft Co-operative, and selected applications must be approved by both organizations. The primary basis for acceptance is the excellence of design, quality, uniqueness, originality, and superior craftsmanship of the work to be sold. Acceptance is also based on product packaging and product categories within the show.

    Eligibility

    You must be the designer and creator of the work to be displayed and sold.
    Only work produced in Canada by you or under your direct supervision will be considered.
    Reproduction aids, such as moulds used in jewellery or ceramics, must be the original creation of the applying artisan.
    Commercially manufactured products are not permitted.
    Work assembled from commercial kits or materials is not permitted.
    Work represented by dealers or agents will not be allowed.

    Site Exclusivity - Vancouver Convention Centre

    To protect the unique character of the Circle Craft Holiday Market within the Vancouver Convention Centre, you agree not to have your products available at any markets, craft shows, handmade shows, similar events, or handmade feature areas of other types of shows that are larger than 50 exhibitors, excluding shows produced by Signatures, farmers’ markets, or community-sponsored events, within or on the grounds of the Vancouver Convention Centre 30 days before or during the dates of the show.

    Terms and Conditions of Acceptance

    If you are the winner of the Emerging Artist Contest, you will receive your letter of acceptance and show contract at the email address entered on this application form. Please read these documents carefully.

    The products you are accepted to display and sell will also be indicated. Only the products submitted for jurying and approved in the show contract will be permitted at the show.

    You must sign, date, and return the contract by the indicated due date.

  • Step 3 - Categories

  • Please select your product category*
  • Have you previously exhibited in the Circle Craft Christmas Market?*
  • Do you operate a retail store?*
  • How many people assist you in production?*
  • Do you outsource any of the production?*

  • Step 4 - What products would you like to display and sell at the show.

  • Step 5 - Your Information - Who is Applying?


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  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Language*

  • Prepare Your Images and Documents

  • Upload Requirements

    Please have the following materials ready before starting this section of the application.

    Accepted image formats: JPEG or PNG only
    Maximum image file size: 5MB per image
    Accepted document formats: PDF or Microsoft Word

    Please Upload the Following

    Four clear product images of the work you plan to display and sell at the show.
    One clear product image for use in the Signatures.ca show gallery.
    One studio photo showing both your workspace and you actively working in it. This image should provide an overall view of your studio and your process.
    A résumé or CV in PDF or Microsoft Word format outlining your background, design training, and show experience.
    An Art and Design Personal Statement in PDF or Microsoft Word format, including a detailed description of your production process. Please tell us what inspires you, how your creative practice began, how long you have been doing this work, whether others assist you and what their roles are, and the price range of your products. Also include a clear description of your production process from inspiration to final completion.

    Important Notes

    All uploaded images must be in JPEG or PNG format only.
    Image files in any other format will not be accepted.
    Each image file must be 5MB or smaller.

  • Step 6 - Upload your product images

  • Please upload 5-10 high resolution, close-up, focused images of the work you would like to display and sell at the show, (maximum size 5mb each). The only accepted formats for photo images are JPEG or PNG.

  • Browse Files
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    Cancelof
  • I agree that Signatures Shows Ltd. and The Circle Craft Co-operative may use my product images for advertising and promotional purposes.*

  • Step 7 - Upload Your Supporting Material

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  • Résumé/CV - Please upload your résumé/CV. PDF or Word document format only.

    Art Statement - Please upload your Art and Design Personal Statement and a detailed description of your production process. PDF or Word document format only.

     
     
     
  • Browse Files
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    Cancelof
  • Browse Files
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    Choose a file
    Cancelof

  • Step 8 - Verify and Sign Your Application

  • Your Signature and Declaration of Authenticity

    I am the creator and producer of the products that I intend to sell at the Circle Craft Holiday Market. I understand that digitally signing my name constitutes a legal signature confirming that I acknowledge and agree to all terms and conditions in this Agreement contained herein. 

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