Members receive discounts on Creative Manitoba courses, classes and workshops.
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Presented in partnership with Manitoba Arts Network
In December 2020, the Flin Flon Arts Council initiated a pilot project taking on the title “Uptown Emporium”. The focus was to create a platform for crafters and artisans to market their products in the midst of restrictions implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Initially, a small space was rented out as a storefront / gallery operated by the Cultural Coordinator from the Flin Flon Arts Council and shortly thereafter, a part time employee was hired to help handle products from the 11 vendors. Fast forward 10 short months later, Uptown Emporium has grown exponentially, expanding to 5 permanent employees, with additional support from summer students and volunteers.
Today the Uptown Emporium is an e-commerce site, physical storefront, photography centre, and a drop shipping warehouse. Starting with 11 vendors just 10 months ago, the Uptown Emporium now promotes and vends the works of over 50 artisans (and growing) from Northern Manitoba!
Join Flin Flon’s Arts Council Cultural Coordinator Crystal Kolt, Project Manager Sophia Charuk and Technical Director Troy Petryk as they explain how it all happened, what the challenges are and why they are so excited about what is possible for northern makers.
Facilitator: Inga Petri
Since 1990, Inga has designed and implemented research and strategies for organizations in the private, not-for-profit and public sectors, employing collaborative approaches that rally participants around common objectives. With experience in diverse sectors – from the performing arts, festivals, museums and arts services organization to government, international trade promotion organizations, national membership associations and technology companies – clients benefit from an uncommon breadth of experience and expertise. Inga provides strategic counsel based on solid research and deep insight; she develops brand, web, communications and marketing strategies that effectively reach target audiences; and she delivers tangible results for clients. Inga has a profound record of achievement in the arts and cultural sector spanning from her work in Canadian book publishing during the 1990s to research and strategy projects undertaken for the National Arts Centre, Klondike Institute of Art and Culture, Alianait Arts Festival, Capitol Theatre (Moncton), Storytellers of Canada, Canadian War Museum and many others during the last decade. Beginning in 2011, Inga has been working across Canada to explore the Value of Presenting: A Study of Performing Arts Presentation in Canada commissioned by the Canadian Arts Presenting Association (CAPACOA).
Panelists from Uptown Emporium:
• Crystal Kolt (Director; Flin Flon Arts Council)
• Sophia Charuk (Project Manager)
• Troy Petryk (Technical Director)
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Venue: Online
Cancellation policy
Creative Manitoba reserves the right to cancel or postpone any event where a minimum registration level has not been met. Participants registered for an event that is cancelled by Creative Manitoba will receive a full refund.
Registrants may cancel up to one week before the event to receive a full refund. No refunds will be issued to registrants who cancel within one week of the event start date. No refunds will be issued for registrants who do not attend.
Substitute participants are allowed in most cases, but not all. Please check with us ahead of time if you wish to send a substitute participant by calling 204-927-2787.
It is our intent that Creative Manitoba programs and events foster a supportive, nonthreatening environment for everyone to participate and share in - regardless of gender, ability, ethnicity or cultural differences. We ask that you please be welcoming and respectful of world views that differ from your own.