Written by: Sydney Luther, Marketing Coordinator
How do I take part in SCC programs?
We get this question a lot! If you are a Saskatchewan-based craftsperson, we encourage you to become a member of the SCC and then have your work juried!
How does membership work?
Our memberships have an annual fee of $50 to $100. We have several different member types to accommodate artists in different situations and levels in their career. Members holding a Professional Craftsperson, Affiliated Marketer, or Student membership and whose membership fees are paid in full can then be juried.
Membership includes a ton of great perks on its own, like a free subscription to Studio Magazine; ability to take part in our Professional Practices courses for free; receiving the bi-weekly member e-newsletter SaskCreate (which is more robust and artist-targeted than our public e-newsletter Talking Craft); free entry to our open, touring, juried exhibition Dimensions; 10% off all SCC Gallery purchases; your work and career highlights will be shared on our social media and in our newsletters; and join a vibrant craft community! There are additional perks available to members who become juried.
Please note: The Saskatchewan Craft Council is an organization that supports fine craft artists and their work. Unfortunately, we are not in a position at this time to take on any additional visual artists (those working in painting and drawing) as new members.
What is jurying?
In the art world, jurying is the process through which an artist presents their work to an expert to be judged based on specific criteria. For the SCC, our jurying is done by two senior craft artists who are masters in the medium you work in. We jury our artists to guarantee that the work we present and sell is: A) expertly crafted, B) designed by the artist, and C) completely handmade. Our jurors judge based on written standards of excellence developed by the SCC. You can read those at the bottom of this page.
Why should I get juried?
Juried members of the SCC are eligible to take part in WinterGreen Fine Craft Market, display in our Art Now: Saskatchewan Fine Art Fair booth, will be considered to sell in SCC Fine Craft Boutique and our online store, and are invited to take part in many other programs and exhibitions by the SCC. Sometimes last minute opportunities come up and we often limit these to only feature our juried members.
Jurying is also a great opportunity to receive consultation and feedback on your fine craft. Even if you don’t pass the jury, it’s a chance to get valuable advice and critique, and you can always try again after you make the changes our jurors recommend.
When can I be juried?
Each year we run a free jury session in the spring. This year we will be jurying in Regina on April 15th and in Saskatoon on May 13th. Members holding a Professional Craftsperson, Affiliated Marketer, or Student membership and whose membership fees are paid in full are encouraged to apply here.
If you cannot attend the annual jury session, interim sessions are offered throughout the year for a $50 fee.
Am I a good fit for the SCC?
Not all craft artists are a good fit for our mandate. If you’re not sure about becoming a member, we encourage you to talk to Alexa, our Member Services Coordinator. She is very friendly and she can take you through our different membership categories and find the right fit for you. In the office, we affectionately call her “The Craft Counsellor” as she is always talking artists through their various professional questions, issues, and concerns. You can contact Alexa at (306) 653-3616 ext. 1 or members@saskcraftcouncil.org.