Promoting your art

One of the biggest challenges to becoming a successful, profitable artist is making your artwork known to potential customers in Canada and around the world. The Arctic is an isolated region.

But it can be done! How?

1. Make sure your profile is included in our database of Nunavut artists on the NACA web site.
   
   
2. Sign up with the NACA listserve to receive updates and announcements via e-mail.
   
   
3. Post your resumé on sites that help bring artists together with potential customers offering commissions. For examples, check out the Jobs/Commissions section of our Links page.
   
   
4. Contact galleries directly to tell them about your artwork -- if you're comfortable being your own marketing agent and selling directly to galleries, as opposed to selling to the local Co-op or Northern store. Understand the pricing system of selling directly to retailers (the gallery) rather than selling to wholesalers. And do yourself a favour by signing up with CARfac, an organization working on behalf of artists. Where the issue of copyright comes up, CARfac will negotiate with galleries on your behalf to get higher fees for you, the artist, and will ensure that the gallery gets the appropriate license.
   
   
5. Get listed on the Aboriginal Supplier Inventory . Aboriginal companies can register online to bid on the $9 billion in goods, services and construction that the federal government spends each year. (Remember, businesses include sole proprietorships - one-person firms.) This is part of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada's Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business.For more information, contact:
   Aboriginal Supplier Inventory
   Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
   Phone: 1-800-400-7677
   Fax: (819) 997-9006
   E-mail: asi@inac.gc.ca
   
   

6. Get listed on the Directory of Aboriginal Exporters. Companies that are at least 51 per cent aboriginal-owned and either exporting, or preparing to export goods can get on the list. It is being used to push up the participation of aboriginal firms in federal government international business development activities.

   For more information about the Directory of Aboriginal Exporters, contact:

   Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)
   Export Services for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
   125 Sussex Dr.
   Ottawa ON K1A 0G2
   Phone: (613) 944-0634
   Fax: (613) 996-9265
   E-mail: rosi.niedermayer@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
   

7. Inuit artists who haven't already done so should apply to be on Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated's Inuit Firm Registry. Registered businesses receive special consideration when bidding on government and other contracts that must adhere to Article 24 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

   For more information, contact:

   Laura Kowmuk or Robert Tookoome
   Business Development Officers
   Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
   Business Development
   P.O. Box 280
   Rankin Inlet NU X0C 0G0
   Phone: 1-888-236-5400 or (867) 645-5400
   Fax: (867) 645-3251
   E-mail: laurak@arctic.ca or tooker@arctic.ca
   

8. Apply to be listed on the NNI Policy Registry of Approved Nunavut Businesses. Inuit-owned and Nunavut-owned businesses get preference when the government of Nunavut assesses companies bidding on territorial government contracts. You can download an application form here.
   
   
9. Get in touch with the Inuit Art Centre run by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to make sure you're part of their Canada-wide database of Inuit artists.

   For more information, contact:

   Barry Pottle, Director
   The Inuit Art Centre
   Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
   Les Terrasses de la Chaudière, Room 925
   10 Wellington St.
   Hull QC K1A 0H4
   Phone: 1-800-867-1684 or (819) 997-8311 (Research and Information)
   Fax: (819) 994-0106

10. Attend a craft and gift show, art show or trade show. These shows have willing and eager audiences numbering in the thousands who are ready to spend money. Some of the major shows in the United States, such as the Arts Festival of Boston, draw close to 100,000 people. If you're not comfortable speaking English, team up with a partner who is.

    Don't have the money to attend a trade show? Apply for travel grants from the Canada Council of the Arts, or money from other funding sources such as the Department of Sustainable Development. Canada Council provides travel grants of up to $2,000 to professional artists . Even certain trade shows, like the Canadian-based "One of a Kind" trade shows, offer $500 travel grants to out-of province artists.

11. Apply to attend national and international art competitions, such as stone carving symposiums. Many of these symposia are held every two to three years. Being at a competition gives you great exposure and brings certain prestige. (Make sure you note your participation in such competitions on your resumé.) You meet potential customers from around the world, plus you have a chance to network with other top-calibre artists. By speaking with them, you may learn more about potential new markets. Again, apply for any funding available to cover your travel expenses.

12. Subscribe to newsletters and magazines that provide extensive info on craft and trade shows, such as Sunshine Artist or Festivalnet. Other publications furnish additional information on competitions, awards, scholarships, fellowships, residencies, apprenticeships and calls for artists, such as the NSS News Bulletin, the organ of the U.S.-based National Sculptors Society and Calendar, a publication of CARfac.

    Join industry associations and take advantage of the services they offer to member artists. The Sculptor's Society of Canada (SCC), for example, hosts new members shows at their Canadian Sculpture Gallery in downtown Toronto. The SSC Artists' Registry displays members' works on the Internet, so members are put in touch with potential purchasers and exhibitors around the world. Members are also told of commissions, calls for entry, and grants.

    The Sculptor's Society of Canada,
    P.O. Box 40,
    2 First Canadian Place, Exchange Tower,
    130 King St. W.
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada. M5X 1B5
    Tel/Fax (416) 214-0389
    e-mail: sculpcan@echo-on.net

13. Participate in online discussion forums. The Internet is a great tool for bringing people around the world together. Your comments could bring you in touch with future customers.
    
    

14. Contact the Nunavut Development Corporation (NDC). This Nunavut government agency markets mainly arts and crafts made in the territory, as well as fish and meat products. If one of NDC's companies is in your community, start by contacting that company. If not, contact NDC's wholesale operations in Toronto.

    
    NDC Companies:

    Ivalu Ltd.
    P.O. Box 599
    Rankin Inlet NU X0C 0G0
    Contact: Mohammed Ziduune
    Phone: (867) 645-3400
    Fax: (867) 645-2115
    E-mail: ivalu@arctic.ca

    Jessie Oonark Ltd.
    P.O. Box 280
    Baker Lake NU X0C 0A0
    Contact: Paul Kabloona
    Phone: (867) 793-2428
    Fax: (867) 793-2429
    E-mail: jessie@arctic.ca

    Kiluk Ltd.
    P.O. Box 366
    Arviat NU X0C 0E0
    Contact: Judy Issarkiark
    Phone: (867) 857-2713
    Fax: (867) 857-2714
    E-mail: kiluk@arctic.ca

    Taluq Designs Ltd.
    P.O. Box 174
    Taloyoak NU X0E 1B0
    Contact: Mona Igutsaq
    Phone: (867) 561-5280
    Fax: (867) 561-6500
    E-mail: taluq@polarnet.ca

    Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts
    P.O. Box 453
    Pangnirtung NU X0A 0R0
    Contact: Peter Wilson
    Phone: (867) 473-8870
    Fax: (867) 473-8634
    E-mail: inuitart@nunanet.com

    
    NDC Wholesale Operations:

    Tom Chapman, General Manager, Sales and Marketing
    Nunavut Development Corporation
    Wholesale Showroom
    Unit 107
    120 Traders Blvd.
    Mississauga ON L4Z 2H7
    Phone: 1-800-509-9153 or (905) 501-8240
    Fax: 1-800-509-9154 or (905) 501-8239
    E-mail: tchapman@sympatico.ca

15. Consider an agent or broker. This is a person who sells your work for you and takes a small commission.