2025-26 Affinity Group Program Application

Affinity Group Program Application

Handmade Arcade is thrilled to launch our new Maker Affinity Group Program, designed in response to direct feedback from the maker community. This initiative aims to build spaces for makers to connect based on shared identities, experiences, and interests — including but not limited to those center around cultural background, lived experiences, creative practices, or professional challenges. Through affinity groups, we hope to cultivate supportive networks, amplify underrepresented voices, and strengthen our community. We also aim to open a direct line of communication with Handmade Arcade to meet maker needs and provide support.

Participants will be grouped intentionally with a lead liaison to encourage authentic dialogue and relationship-building. Although Handmade Arcade will provide themed prompts, for each session, affinity group conversations will center around topics deemed priority by each group. Three mandatory meetings will occur between October 2025 through May 2026, either virtually or in person dependent upon participants’ availability and group preferences. Groups will create their own schedules, such as the example below:

Meeting #1: Monday, October 27, 2025 from 6 - 7:30 PM

Meeting #2: Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 11 AM - 12:30 PM

Meeting #3: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 from 4 - 5:30 PM

Additional optional (but highly reccommended) meeting dates include:

Saturday, September 27, 2025: Kickoff - Maker Mixer & Affinity Group Vision Session (In - person)

Thursday, December 11: In-Person Happy Hour/Make Mixer (Optional)

Monday, March 23, 2026: — Maker Community Listening Session (In-person & Virtual option)

Applications are due by September 5, 2025, 11:59 pm EST.

We estimate this application will take 20–30 minutes to complete. It cannot be saved mid-way, so we recommend drafting your answers elsewhere first. We recommend you review our Maker Affinity Groups info page and FAQ's section for more details.

If you have any questions, please email makers@handmadearcade.org.
Are you a current maker?*
We define a current maker as actively participating in shows in the 12 months before or after submitting this application (or actively applying or planning to apply for shows in the next 12 months)
Thank you for your interest in the Handmade Arcade Affinity Group program. At this time, we are only accepting current makers. We define a current maker as actively participating in shows in the 12 months before or after submitting this application (or actively applying or planning to apply for shows in the next 12 months). If you do not meet those guidelines, you are not eligible for this program.

For maker support and education, please visit https://www.handmadearcade.org/maker-support.
What is your business name?
What year did you start your maker business?*
First Name*
Last Name*
Pronouns
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
How do you describe yourself? Please check all that apply.*

MakerArtistCreative EntrepreneurCrafterOther
Please select all that apply for the category of goods or products you make/in which you have any expertise.*

Accessories (Not Jewelry)ArtworkBath & BodyChildren's Products & ToysAdult ClothingHousewaresJewelryPaper GoodsWoodCeramicsGlassOther
Which of the following best describes your business? (select all that apply):*

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-Owned BusinessAsian-Owned BusinessBlack, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-Owned BusinessBlack-Owned BusinessDeaf-Owned BusinessDisability-Owned BusinessIndigenous-Owned BusinessLatinx-Owned BusinessLGBTQIA2S+ Owned BusinessWoman Owned BusinessOther
If "Other" option was chosen or there is another option you'd like to see included, please specify. *
Goals for Participating

Please provide answers to the following questions to help us better understand your goals and match you with the right fit for this program.
Why are you interested in joining an Affinity Group?*
Feel free to share what made you want to apply! (e.g., to connect with other makers of color, LGBTQIA2S+ makers, makers balancing parenting and small business, makers with disabilities, etc. Share what you hope to gain or contribute.)
What identities, lived experiences, or shared interests would you like your affinity group to center around?*
Feel free to share multiple as this will help us thoughtfully match participants. (e.g., BIPOC makers, LGBTQIA2S+ makers, makers with disabilities or chronic illness, parents/caregivers, neurodivergent makers, veterans, cultural or traditional crafts, sustainability, or others.)
What topics, challenges, or experiences do you hope to explore in an affinity group?*
(e.g., navigating bias in markets, sharing cultural traditions, building business skills, mental health support, etc.)
Business Info
Website
Company website, link to Etsy shop, etc.
Facebook
Please share only business-related social media pages, not personal social media accounts.
Instagram
Please share only business-related social media pages, not personal social media accounts.
Other Social Media Accounts
Please share only business-related social media pages, not personal social media accounts.
Have you sold at a Handmade Arcade Market or other maker markets previously?*

YesNo
If yes, what markets over which years and under what business name(s)?*
Are you planning to apply to the 2025 Holiday Market?*

YesNo
Please confirm you are available to meet with your affinity group (either in person or virtually) three times within the range of October 2025 and May 2026.*

Yes, I confirm.No, I am not able to confirm at this time.
If no, what frequency of meeting would you be able to commit to between October 2025 and May 2026?
Do you have any accessibility needs for meetings?
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Headshot & Bio

If you have them, please submit your headshot and bio below. This information will be shared with your match for the Maker Affinity Group Program. Thank you!
Please upload a high-quality headshot.

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Please share your professional maker bio. Try to keep this to under 300 words if possible.
Please keep under 300 words if possible.
I agree to allow Handmade Arcade to share information about my business (including but not limited to headshots, product photos, bios, business social media links, etc.) for marketing and promotional efforts on website, social media, email, press and media opportunities, etc.*

Yes, I agreeNo, I would like information about my business to be kept private.
I agree to complete brief surveys throughout this program and a post-program survey, all of which help Handmade Arcade keep track of progress and meet funding-related goals.*

Yes, I agree
Demographic Information (Optional)

One of Handmade Arcade's strategic plan initiatives is to diversify the makers, attendees, and contractors that participate in all of our programs and services. We invite applicants to share their demographic information so we can better understand if we are succeeding in these goals. The following demographic questions are optional, and responses will be kept private and secure.
What category best describes you? Please feel free to check all that apply.

American Indian or Alaska NativeAsian American/South Asian/AsianBlack or African AmericanHispanic, Latinx or Latino, or Spanish OriginMiddle Eastern or North AfricanNative Hawaiian or Other Pacific IslanderWhite/Caucasian/EuropeanPrefer not to answerOther
What is your age range?
Are you a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community?
What is your gender?

WomanManNonbinaryAgenderPrefer not to answerOther
Are you a person with a disability (including but not limited to physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, chronic conditions, and mental illnesses)?
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Please include your contact email if you'd like a reply or send an email directly to makers@handmadearcade.org
Should be Empty:

Goals for Participating

Business Info

Headshot & Bio

Demographic Information (Optional)