Join the Maine Crafts Association
Proudly presenting Craft in Maine.
Maine Crafts Association membership supports the development of professional craft artists through education, exhibition and marketing opportunities. Our members range from emerging to established and benefit from networking and mentoring, two integral elements of MCA programming. Members are kept apprised of MCA events and deadlines through our monthly e-newsletters and are listed in the online member directory. Members can increase their visibility by adding photos, descriptive text and links to their websites. Other membership categories are avenues for institutions, collectors and enthusiasts to participate in this dynamic community and support the MCA’s nonprofit programming.
By joining as a member you become a part of a statewide community linked by ingenuity, entrepreneurship, talent, fortitude, and devotion to craftsmanship, with the shared belief that craft can connect and unite us!
MCA membership cycle runs from January 1 to December 31. Therefore, joining earlier in the year allows for a longer duration of membership benefits. Joining after September 1st grants membership for the remainder of the current year as well as the entire following year.
Questions about joining MCA?
Please reach out to MCA Executive Director, Whitney Gill: whitney@mainecrafts.org / (207)208-7923
Individual Membership Levels
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP $125
The Professional Level membership provides the most extensive benefits, access, and discounts. This level is for individual artists who make their livelihood from their craft and actively engage in MCA’s educational, marketing, and networking events and activities. Professional level membership is mandatory for all individuals selling their work at the Center for Maine Craft in West Gardiner (some media may qualify for Basic level, see below).
Additonal Professional member levels for partners, students, and emerging artists:
- Partners Professional Membership $175: Professional level benefits for two business partners.
- Emerging Craft Artist Professional Membership $75: Professional level benefits for artists who are beginning their career in craft – Available for one year only.
- Student Level Membership $45: Professional level benefits for full-time highschool and college students.
GUILD LEVEL MEMBERSHIP $175
Our newest level of membership. Acceptance into Guild level membership is achieved through jury process and grants lifetime access to the annual Guild Fine Craft Shows. Guild level membership includes all Professional level benefits in addition to this special craft show benefit.
- PARTNERS Guild Membership $225: Same benefits for two business partners.
Membership Benefits
MCA Membership benefits include: Discounts on jury fees and purchases at partnering establishments, Access to workshops, programs and retail opportunities, and Visibility through cooperative marketing opportunities and MCA’s online member directory.
General Benefits
- Member-exclusive opportunities, events, discounts and access to annual programming
- Members’ access to Maine Craft Weekend, an annual statewide open studio event
- Opportunity to sell work at the Center for Maine Craft in West Gardiner, Maine
- Opportunity to have product for sale in the Shop Maine Craft Webshop (requires acceptance into Center for Maine Craft)
- Exclusive members’ correspondence in addition to monthly MCA e-newsletter
- Opportunity to exhibit in MCA Member Exhibitions
- Invitations to member meetings, gatherings and events
Marketing Benefits
- Professional MCA Member Profile: Inclusion in media and/or region-focused search results and enhanced visibility via artist statement/biography, three images, and link to member’s website
- MCA shares, likes and links of member social media posts
- Free listings in Craft Classifieds, a members buy + sell marketplace on mainecrafts.org
- Access to Cooperative Advertising opportunities
- Maine Craft Weekend Listing + Online map placement
Discounts
- Member rate for Portland Fine Craft Show Jury Fee and Booth Fee in August
- Members’ early access & rate: Found Object in June
- Member rate for MCA Weekend Workshop @ Haystack in May
- Member rate for MCA Business Workshops for Artists
- 100% discount (free!) Maine Craft Weekend participant list and map
- 100% discount (free!) Craft Classifieds listings.
- 15% discount on purchases at the Center for Maine Craft
- Qualify for all other member-rates on new events and programs throughout the year
BASIC MEMBERSHIP: $75
Basic Level Membership offers opportunities for craft artists who work part-time at their craft or participate only occasionally in exhibitions or market their work on a limited basis. This level offers connectivity to the MCA and craft community through communication, discounts and access to programming. Basic members can upgrade to the Professional level at any point during the year if needed. (Please note that a Professional Level membership is required to participate in some programs & opportunities)
Basic Membership is required from Center for Maine Craft vendors of cards, books, food (including pet) and personal care products.
General Benefits
- Members’ access to Maine Craft Weekend, an annual statewide open studio event in October
- Exclusive members’ correspondence in addition to monthly MCA e-newsletter
- Exhibition and Demonstration opportunities at the Center for Maine Craft
- Invitations to member meetings, gatherings and events
Marketing Benefits
- Basic Member Profile: Inclusion in media and/or region-focused search results and enhanced visibility via artist statement/biography, one image, and link to member’s website
- Access to Cooprative Advertising opportunities
- Free listings in Craft Classifieds, a members buy + sell marketplace on mainecrafts.org
- Listing + Online map placement for Maine Craft Weekend (Opt-in required, event is annually in October)
- Maine Craft Weekend Listing + Online map placement
Discounts
- Member rate for MCA Weekend Workshop @ Haystack in May
- 100% discount on Maine Craft Weekend participant list and map
- 100% discount on Craft Classifieds listings.
- 15% discount on purchases at the Center for Maine Craft
MCA INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIPS $150 – $300
For: Craft related institutions, industries, business and organizations such as: craft galleries, craft retailers, craft suppliers, craft services, nonprofit organizations, schools and other businesses and institutions working with craft artists. Institutional members support the MCA’s efforts and programming while receiving valuable and tangible benefits of being linked with the MCA.
- Patron Institution $300
- Supporting Institution $200
- Member Institution $150
SHOP MAINE CRAFT CUSTOMER MEMBERSHIP $50
Known as the Individual Patron level, customer members of Shop Maine Craft receive a 15% discount on purchases and exclusive invitations to special events and sales at the Center for Maine Craft. This is a Shop Maine Craft customer shopping benefit only; it does not include MCA artist-member benefits or qualify as a membership level for retail gallery vendors.
INDIVIDUALS: MEMBERSHIP LEVELS & ANNUAL FEES
Lifetime Membership (at board discretion only)
$125 Professional Membership
$175 Partners Professional
$75 Emerging Professional
$45 Student Level
$75 Basic Membership
Note: Retail Membership was discontinued in 2022, previous members at this level now renew as Basic.
$175 Guild Level Membership
$225 Partners Guild Level
INSTITUTIONS: MEMBERSHIP LEVELS & ANNUAL FEES
$300 Patron Institution
$200 Supporting Institution
$150 Member Institution
Which Level is Right for Me? Individual Membership Overview
LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP (not available for purchase)
This level is awarded to our Master Craft Artist Award Winners, and others, at the discretion of the MCA Board of Directors. In addition to award-specific benefits, it includes all benefits assigned to other membership levels.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP $125
Professional level membership is open to anyone and provides connectivity and benefits for artists through access to, or discounts on MCA educational, marketing and networking events and activities. Professional Members receive a member directory listing with contact and bio info as well as three images. This level membership is REQUIRED for everyone with work for sale at the Center for Maine Craft (unless you qualify for the Basic level).
PARTNERS PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP $175
A Partners Professional Membership has the same benefits as the Professional Membership and is available for partners working in the same business or practice. (This was formally called a COUPLES membership and was available to couples with different businesses/practices which is no longer the case).EMERGING PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP $75
Emerging Professional Membership has the same benefits as the Professional Membership but reserved for early-in-career artists; for one year only.STUDENT LEVEL MEMBERSHIP $45
The Student Level Membership has the same benefits as the Professional Membership but reserved for students pursuing a degree in craft.
BASIC MEMBERSHIP $75
The Basic Membership also offers connectivity to MCA – discounts and access to programming but with some limitations or different fee structures.
NOTE: Basic Membership is required from Center for Maine Craft vendors of audio, video, cards, books, food (including pet) and personal care products. (Previously these vendors were “Retail Level Members” which has been discontinued).
GUILD LEVEL MEMBERSHIP $175
This juried membership level is only available to artists who have been approved through our show jury and live in Maine or within a town 10 miles of our state line. Guild Level Membership is required to participate in the MCA Guild Fine Craft Shows and includes all Professional Level Benefits.
PARTNERS GUILD LEVEL MEMBERSHIP $225
A Partners Guild Level Membership has the same benefits as the Guild Level Membership and is available for partners working in the same business or practice.