Call for Entry: Holiday Treasures Market at the Museum of Dufferin

The Museum of Dufferin featured three historic buildings inside, serving as a beautiful and historic backdrop of the market.

Holiday Treasures Market

Call for Entry Deadline: Friday, August 23, 2024 at 12pm

The Museum of Dufferin invites makers, artists, and craft-persons, working in any medium, to apply to participate in the Holiday Treasures Craft Market. Holiday Treasures is a juried sale, showcasing 60+ vendors in the Main Gallery of the museum for two weeks.

MoD staff handle all sales at our till for the duration of the sale. We require that you create an inventory sheet, label your products, drop-off/pick-up your inventory and spread the word with the digital marketing material we provide you. At the end of the show, we issue payment for your sales. There are no booths, therefore you as a vendor are not required to be onsite for the duration of the show. Vendors set up their own display.

2023 was another record setting year for both attendance and sales. 2024 will mark 20 years of the Holiday Treasures Craft Market – we are looking forward to another fantastic event!

Important Dates

Application Due: Friday, August 23, 2024 at 12pm
Notification of Acceptance/Decline: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Inventory Sheet Due: Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 12pm
Inventory Set-Up: November 21, 22, or 23 (sign-up required)
Show Dates: Wednesday, November 27 – Sunday, December 8, 2024
Inventory Pick-Up: Sunday, December 8 and Monday, December 9

The Museum of Dufferin located in Mulmur, Ontario.

Eligibility

Open to: Residents of Ontario. To enter, you must be able to drop-off and pick-up your artwork at the Museum of Dufferin in Mulmur, Ontario on the designated dates.

Statistics

• In 2023, the two-week record-setting event grossed over $60,000 in sales with over 1000 visitors in attendance.
• General customer age range: 30 – 60.
• We highly encourage vendors who produce items in the following categories: food (non-perishable/non-refrigerated), pets, and children.
• Customers who shop at Holiday Treasures appreciate a wide range of price points from small gifts to high-end one-of-a-kind items.
• The median customer receipt total is $75.50.

Highlights

• Fees and Commission: It is free to apply to the Holiday Treasures Arts and Craft Sale. If you are selected by the jury to participate in the sale, there is a $40.00 + HST Vendor Fee. Please note this year’s vendor fee has been lowered due to the requirement of vendor insurance. A 25% commission (plus HST) from the sale of each item at Holiday Treasures supports the museum.
• Prioritizing Inclusivity: The MoD supports and celebrates BIPOC and Queer-owned businesses, as well as businesses owned by persons with disabilities. There is an option to self-identify as BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+ or a person with disabilities on our application form. The vendor fee will be waived for these applicants who are juried into the show.
• Display Set-Up: Vendors may choose a timeslot to come in and set up their own display. You know what looks best! MoD staff will adjust displays as items sell.
• Admission by Donation: This year, visitor admission to the Holiday Treasures Craft Show and Sale will be by donation.

Vendor Fee, Insurance, and Commission

• Upon acceptance into the show, you will be required to pay the vendor fee of $40+HST ($45.20). The vendor fee is due within two weeks of the acceptance emails going out. If you do not pay on time, your spot will be forfeit to another applicant. Once accepted, your vendor fee is non-refundable.
• Vendors are required to provide proof of vendor/ exhibitor insurance. Vendors who do not already have insurance will be provided a link to join the MoD’s group exhibitor policy. There is an option to sign a waiver/indemnity form if you do not wish to obtain insurance.
• A 25% commission (plus HST) from the sale of each item at Holiday Treasures goes to the MoD.

Jurying

Each application and accompanying photos are presented to the Holiday Treasures Jurors for consideration. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Our Jurors are Dufferin County artists and business owners. Museum of Dufferin staff organize the jury process and are present to ensure all applications are considered equally. Due to the high number of applications we receive, Jurors and/or MoD staff are not required to provide feedback to artists who have not been selected for the sale. At least 2 of the 3 Jurors are rotated every year to ensure variety and change from year to year. We encourage vendors to reapply if they have not been selected for previous year’s sales.

The Jurors consider the following when choosing vendors for the sale: design, quality of work, salability, variety and space limitations.

• Design: Includes originality, creativity and quality of design.
• Quality of Work: Includes attention given to craftsmanship, finishing details, packaging and materials used.
• Salability: Includes consumer appeal, marketability, pricing and safety (does this item pose a risk to visitors).
• Variety: If many submissions of a similar product are received, they cannot all be accepted. Holiday Treasures focuses on offering a variety of products and price points to our customers.
• Space limitations: Applications may be declined because of space restrictions. Approximately 65 vendors can be displayed in the Main Gallery.

Vendors label their products, provide an inventory sheet and set up their own displays. Museum of Dufferin staff maintain the displays during the two-week event and handle all sales transactions.

Submission Requirements

You can find the Holiday Treasures Market rules and regulations and application form here: www.dufferinmuseum.com/holidatytreasurescall

Call for Entry Deadline: Friday, August 23, 2024 at 12pm

For additional information or questions, please contact:

Hailey Hollingshead, Visitor Services Coordinator
hhollingshead@dufferinmuseum.com
519-941-1114 extension 4020

Museum of Dufferin
936029 Airport Road
Mulmur, ON L9V 0L3
www.dufferinmuseum.com
info@dufferinmuseum.com
519-941-1114

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Accessibility:
For accessibility information, visit: Plan Your Visit – Museum of Dufferin (dufferinmuseum.com)