The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2024
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Call for Applications: Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair
Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 17-20 October 2024
Applications open 1-28 February
Show your work at the most respected contemporary craft fair in the North!
Boasting a national reputation, Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair is the premier selling event in the North of England. Showcasing over 150 of the UK’s best designer-makers, all selected for their excellence in their craft, GNCCF2024 will return to Manchester’s stunning Victoria Baths, chosen for the afterparty of the prestigious Chanel's Metier D'Art 2023. We offer makers an unrivalled opportunity to put their work in front of an eager and savvy audience in a way that suits them and their buyers best.
“The show is certainly the best in the North and generates a huge interest locally. There is always a great atmosphere with good quality work on show, and customers look forward to it in anticipation.” - GNCCF Exhibitor 2023
About GNCCF Manchester
The GNCCF takes place in the stunning Victoria Baths, one of Manchester’s favourite heritage attractions and home to many other arts and cultural events, including Chanel's prestigious Metier d'Art 2023. Known as Manchester's Water Palace, no expense was spared on the building when it opened to the public in 1906, and its beautiful glazed Victorian tiled walls, mosaic floors and decorative stained glass interior provide a fitting backdrop to explore the beautiful craft on sale at the GNCCF.
All makers are selected for their high quality of work by an expert panel, to ensure a vibrant and varied selection of different crafts to browse and buy. GNCCF Manchester also features artists demonstrating their work, exhibitions of new graduate work and craft workshops.
“Such a warm and supportive atmosphere, an amazing event.” - GNCCF Exhibitor 2023
GNCCF Manchester is primarily a shell-scheme event but we also have a range of more affordable options to choose from, such as table-top and space only. We have a small selection of table-top spaces in the beautiful Turkish Baths room, and the light and airy balcony area upstairs will be reserved mainly for new makers.
At GNCCF, we show designer-makers at the top of their game as well as the best of what’s new. Many make us the first step into national craft events. We welcome applications from diverse and talented makers from the UK and abroad, whatever their background or professional qualifications; we encourage applicants from people who represent marginalised or under-represented groups in craft, including, but not limited to, those who are Black, Asian and minority ethnic, neurodivergent, D/deaf, LGBTQ+ and working class. We're also keen to attract makers whose contact address puts them in one of Arts Council England's Levelling Up For Culture Places.
The venue is easily accessible, with free parking on site, on surrounding roads and a multi-story car park is just a 5 min walk away. It is a ten minute walk from Oxford Road, the main bus route into the city centre.
Access for unloading/breakdown is straightforward; exhibitors can park on site to unload, then move their cars to one of the nearby public car parks.
There are hotels to cater for all budgets a short walk away and plenty more in the city centre or local suburbs, all within easy reach by public transport.
Should the live version of GNCCF Manchester have to be cancelled due to Govt/Covid-19 restrictions, the fair will revert to an online edition. All exhibitors will be given the option to take part in this online version at a much reduced participation fee and full/partial refunds will be given for the difference.
“I finally felt like I had found my audience. I'm full of confidence now that my business is on the right track” - GNCCF Exhibitor 2023
About GNCCFonline Christmas edition : 1-2 December 2024 ( tbc)
GNCCFonline offers an affordable opportunity to sell your work and raise your profile under the well respected GNCCF brand. Like our flagship in-person fair, all exhibitors are selected by an expert panel. Our GNCCFonline exhibitors find the online fair a great way to complement their live events, and a brilliant ‘gateway’ to selling for those starting out. We welcome makers who have an online shopping platform from both the UK and abroad.
"I loved GNCCFonline, being new to the GNCCF audience and the event being online, I’m not sure what I was expecting, but what an event, and what a supportive craft community! I couldn’t keep up with the lovely messages, new customers and sales! This is an event organised by people who love what they do and it shows!’
Each GNCCFonline exhibitor has a 'shop window' on our website, featuring 8 products (including images and description) for visitors to buy, along with links to their own online shops. We take no commissions on sales and all transactions are handled by the exhibitor. GNCCFonline is extensively promoted on our social media platforms and via our mailing lists and partners. Exhibitors shop portals will remain open for at least a month after the fair weekend for follow up sales.
"It was my first time being part of GNCCFonline and I was blown away by the supportive atmosphere, promotion and marketing from the team! Thank you GNCCF!" GNCCFonline Exhibitor 2023
Business Support. We offer the opportinity to boost your business further with a package of 'Get Fair Ready' webinars delivered in partnership with The Design Trust and a series of Maker Development workshops, aied at new makers, delivered in partnership with Creative Industries Trafford. Whilst priority will be given to those who have applied for our fairs, we will consider other makers for these maker development opportunities - please email for details:
ann-marie@greatnorthernevents.co.uk
To Apply
www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk/gnccf/fair-info/exhibit-with-us.aspx
