Click here for the 2024 Adjudication Package

The Granville Island Public Market Artisans are some of the finest in their fields. They are a diverse array of BC’s finest in craft, art and artisan created foods.  Operating on a rotating schedule, the mix of vendors changes every week – there are always new creations to discover. Only products produced by BC artists & artisans are considered. They are the artists, craftspeople, farm and food artisans located in booths throughout the Public Market, who offer diverse, high-quality *handmade and local products – all created, grown or produced by the vendor. Many are award-winning, full-time professionals, and all pass through a stringent process in order to sell their work in the Public Market. 

While we reintroduce the program, we have listed all previously adjudicated Market Artisans in our directory, with links to their businesses. Please search the Granville Island directory to contact our current Market Artisans directly to support them and for sales information.

Fine jewelry

Fine art and photography

Functional and decorative ceramics

Fashion accessories: hats, bags, and silks

Fused and stained glass

Handmade soaps, lotions, and bath products

Delicious jams, preserves, sauces, and treats

…and much, much more! 

Operating on a rotating schedule, the mix of Market Artisans changes every week – there are always new creations to discover.

Interested in becoming a Granville Island Market Artisan? 

Thank you for your interest in the Granville Island Market Artisan Program. Every year, Granville Island attracts millions of visitors from around the world to enjoy the unique Granville Island experience and to shop from local artists and artisans that create their own handmade quality products. Please read through the following information to ensure you qualify before applying. Any applications that do not qualify will be returned.

What is the Market Artisan Program?

The Market Artisan Program provides a platform to small owner-operated businesses who wish to sell their wares within the Granville Island Public Market. Approximately 40 temporary vendor tables rotate on a weekly basis with a focus on adjudicated Artist and Artisan vendors. Food vendors and other ancillary vendors provide additional interest and variety to the Public Market mix. The representation within the Market Artisan Program varies depending on Artist & Artisan bookings as well as the offerings of permanent Public Market tenants. The Market Artisan Program, including vendor selection, probation, terminations, bookings and table allocation, is managed by the Tenant Coordinators.

The Food Vendors are selected through a different application process. If you have a food product that would fit in the Public Market, please contact us at coordinators@granvilleisland.com.

Do I Qualify?

Only products produced by BC Artist & Artisan will be considered. A BC Artist & Artisan is defined as:

A British Columbian resident* whose studio and home address is located in British Columbia.

*BC Resident means: person who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, and who’s only or primary residence is in British Columbia, AND has been physically present in British Columbia for the greater portion of each of the 12 calendar months immediately preceding the date of application.

Verification of residency will be required. In the case of joint partnerships all crafters must fit the criteria above.

An article is considered to be hand-crafted and eligible for adjudication when:

• The shaping and forming of the article is from a variety of materials, its finishing and decoration are accomplished by hand-labour;
• Manually controlled methods are used that permit the maker to control and transform the construction, shape, design and finishing of each major part of an individual product.
• The article is the original idea of a craftsperson, or a skillful rendering of a traditional or classic design.
• Each item is hand-crafted by the Artists or Artisans;
• Ready-made parts or materials are used if they are subordinate to the total design and craftsmanship of the article;
• A craftsperson, by definition, displays craftsmanship, not just “handiness”.

All Market Artisans must keep a record of receipts and purchases of raw materials and supplies. Records must be made available as part of a studio tour or for verification of product craftsmanship.

Products that WILL NOT be considered for adjudication include:

• clothing (excluding accessories such as hats, scarves and belts)
• crafts containing non-CSA approved electrical goods
• mass produced or manufactured goods
• kits or goods made from kits
• second-hand goods (upcycled materials are acceptable)
• embellished items (e.g. decorated pre-made plant pots, painted sneakers, clay greenware, etc.)
• assembled goods (e.g. bought beads strung together to make a necklace)
• scented goods, unless the scent is completely enclosed

Only products that can be displayed in a space not exceeding 8 ‘ wide, 3′ deep and 7’ high will be considered (with the exception of the Wood category).

How do I apply? 

New round of adjudication is currently closed.

Market Artisans not subject to the Adjudication process (for example, food vendors) may apply to program throughout the year. All submissions must be sent to the Tenant Coordinators at coordinators@granvilleisland.com for review and consideration.

What happens once I get accepted?

Market Artisan Orientation

Successful applicants to the Market Artisan Program MUST attend the mandatory orientation session which the Tenant Coordinators will schedule prior to March 31, 2024. The date and time of the session will be provided to all required participants no later than March 1, 2024. Attendance at the orientation session is a requirement of participation in the program.

Booking Dates

Prior to each booking period, Market Artisans will fill out a booking request form with their requested dates. The booking periods are as follows:

April – June

July – August

September – November

December

January – March

Dates are awarded to a maximum of two weeks per month. You may request additional “waitlist” time. There is a minimum attendance requirement of 7 days in a 3 month period in order to qualify for high demand summer (July & August) and December bookings. Of the 7 days booked, 4 must be weekdays. Bookings and table allocation are determined based on a combination of Artisan attendance, rotation and benefit to the Public Market’s tenant mix. Table allocation is at the sole discretion of the Tenant Coordinators.

Hours of Operation and Staffing Requirements

Market Artisans must ensure their tables are adequately staffed at all times with the primary Artist(s) & Artisan(s) personally staffing their table for a minimum of 50% of Public Market operating hours. Public Market hours are from 9am to 6pm, unless otherwise specified by CMHC. Tables must remain open from 10am to 6pm. It is each Artisan’s responsibility to ensure this requirement is met.

License Agreement/Policies and Procedures

Artisans must sign 2 copies of the Granville Island Market Artisan License Agreement before booking dates in the Public Market. The License Agreement governs the relationship between Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) as Granville Island’s managing body, and the artisan.

Liability Insurance

All Market Artisans must carry and provide proof of liability insurance to the Tenant Coordinators including CMHC as an additional insured for a minimum of two million dollars. Insurance must be in place and provided to CMHC prior to first dates in the Public Market.