Support for Cape Breton Craft Sector

Invest Nova Scotia is supporting the growth of the Cape Breton craft sector by increasing access to local artisans’ products and encouraging crafters from outside the province to relocate to the island.

Invest Nova Scotia is providing more than $311,000 over three years to the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design to support the operations of an established artisan space that provides participants with fully equipped studios, subsidized rent, a retail outlet store, mentorship from artists in residence and offer community-based programs.

The Customs House Artisan Incubator in Port Hawkesbury is designed to profile and expand the artisans’ businesses, while making it attractive for crafters across the country to do business in Cape Breton.

Invest Nova Scotia supports organizations that are collaborating with their community or sector to create a bigger impact and increased competitiveness and skills that strengthen the economy.

Quotes:

“The Cape Breton craft sector has, and will continue, to play an instrumental role in the local economy while preserving Cape Breton culture and supporting tourism. This investment will help to ensure the creative community thrives and expands, while attracting more newcomers to Cape Breton and supporting the buy-local movement through easier access to craft products to both residents and visitors.”

– Graham Eisenhaur, chair, Invest Nova Scotia

“We strive to be an international leader in craft, community innovation and economic development. The Customs House Artisan Incubator with its fully-equipped studio space is designed to attract new residents from outside the province to our rural communities to ensure a next generation of makers on the Island. The success of the program is encouraging and we believe that with the support of Invest Nova Scotia the Cape Breton craft sector will continue to flourish.”

– Lori Burke, executive director, Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design.

“Customs House has given me a platform to elevate my professional reputation and access to a network of creative professionals that I wouldn't have been able to break into on my own. Having my own dedicated studio space has given me the opportunity to expand on my product mix and take my work in new directions. The Customs House has been pivotal for me and has accelerated my career. I can now say I am a full-time artist. If I had stayed in a big city where I was living before, I would not have been able to take my art career full-time for years or even decades.”

– Josie Clarke, Josephine Clarke Textiles

“Having spent two years at The Customs House, my business has grown more than I ever expected. That’s in huge part due to the creative community I was introduced to through the Customs House. I’d highly recommend this incubator program to anyone looking to elevate their craft and join an incredible community of artisans here on Cape Breton island.”

– Kyle McPhee, Phee’s Original Goods

Quick Facts:

• since 2016, Invest Nova Scotia has invested almost $17 million in 16 projects in the agriculture, education, social enterprise and arts and culture sectors
• Invest Nova Scotia was created in 2014 as an independent decision-making board for granting economic incentives
• Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design has a membership of more than 300 individuals and organizations across Cape Breton

Additional Resources:

For more information about Invest Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/invest-nova-scotia

For more information about Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design: https://capebretoncraft.com/