Apply for Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

Applications for places at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (GNCCF), and two complementary online selling events, are open between 1 and 28 February 2023.

The GNCCF is now in its 16^th year and takes place at the iconic Victoria Baths in Manchester from 19-22 October 2023. It is complemented by two digital events – GNCCFonline – in May and December.

The organisers are looking for talented makers – including new and established makers, as well as recent graduates – working in glass, ceramics, jewellery, metal, leather, wood, interior textiles, fashion design and accessories, mixed media, basketmaking, product design, furniture, printmaking and more.

The Victoria Baths event opens with a Private View on the evening of 19 October and is then open to the public from 20 to 22 October. Victoria Baths is located at Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 0FE.

The GNCCFonline digital fairs are also selected selling events, which, the organisers say, “offer an affordable and accessible way to present and market your work under the respected GNCCF brand”. The GNCCFonline Spring Edition takes place from 20-21 May 2023 and the GNCCFonline Christmas Edition takes place on 2-3 December 2023.

Applications are invited from diverse and skilled makers from the UK and abroad, whatever their background or professional qualifications, and applicants from groups that are currently under-represented in the craft sector are particularly encouraged.

In 2023, there will be two free stands available at GNCCF Manchester to makers who have not exhibited at the show before and whose contact address is located in one of Arts Council England’s Levelling Up For Culture Places. Check whether your area is included on the list via this link. Any successful first-time applicant to GNCCF Manchester with an address in one of these areas will be contacted after selection with information about this opportunity.

Interested makers can apply by completing the online application form available on the Great Northern Events website (portal open 1-28 February 2023).

All exhibitors are selected for their excellence by a panel of craft experts, based on their submitted images. Successful applicants will benefit from extensive marketing and promotion and a range of affordable stand packages, including subsidised stands and tabletop/display only options for new and graduate makers. In the event the live event cannot go ahead because of COVID-19 restrictions, full refunds will be given.

GNCCF organiser Great Northern Events is a not-for-profit organisation supported by Arts Council England with public funding from the National Lottery.

Image: The2022 Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair at the Victoria Baths, Manchester, UK. Photo: Joel Fildes.