Craft Incubator Coming to Port Hawkesbury

Craft Incubator Coming to Port Hawkesbury 

Sydney (NS) – April 19, 2018 – Are you an emerging craftsperson looking for a fantastic opportunity to work on your creative practice, while developing a craft business? Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design in collaboration with the Town of Port Hawkesbury is excited to launch a new craft incubator space, the Customs House, on Granville Street in downtown Port Hawkesbury. The incubator will house shared fully equipped studio space for six emerging craft producers working in clay, textiles and jewellery, as well as a retail space to sell their work. 

“This is a very exciting opportunity for emerging craft producers who are looking to grow their craft through business skills development and marketing in a supportive cultural community,” says Lori Burke, Executive Director at Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design. “As an island-wide organization, we are thrilled to collaborate with the Town of Port Hawkesbury on this important project as we work to expand the creative economy on Cape Breton Island.” 

“The Customs House is a significant step in bringing new craftspeople to Cape Breton Island and increasing tourism through craft products and experiences for visitors,” says Paula Davis, Director of Marketing, Recreation and Tourism at the Town of Port Hawkesbury. “The Town strives to build strong partnerships through collaboration on culture, tourism and economic development initiatives, and the craft incubator is a result of this work.” 

“The Town of Port Hawkesbury is pleased to partner with Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design on this project,” says Brenda Chisholm-Beaton, Mayor of the Town of Port Hawkesbury. “The cultural sector is a significant contributor to our Island’s economy and a way to grow our community – we welcome artists to our thriving town where opportunities await.” 

“The Cape Breton Partnership is proud to be a collaborative partner in the Customs House with the Town of Port Hawkesbury and Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design” says Carla Arsenault, Chief Operating Officer at the Cape Breton Partnership. “As one of the priority initiatives outlined in the Prosperity Framework’s Culture Sector Strategy for Cape Breton Island, the Craft Incubator is a step in the right direction to weave culture and economic development together.”

The Customs House provides a high profile platform for craft producers to create and launch new products in a supportive environment as well as an opportunity to share ideas and learn from peers. 

Applicants must be an emerging craftsperson with design and technical skills, have the beginnings of a marketable craft product line, participate in training and professional development opportunities, want a full-time career as a professional craftsperson and commit to working in the studio for an agreed amount of hours per week.

For more information, visit: capebretoncraft.com/customshouse

Cape Breton for Craft & Design’s mandate is to promote excellence in the field of craft and design, both professional and recreational, through education and training. The Centre’s role as an integral and leading force within the craft sector on Cape Breton Island is essentially educational, promotional and developmental. 

Contact:Elizabeth Cross, Marketing Manager
Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design
902 539 7491 ext. 117 
[email protected]
www.capebretoncraft.com