OUR PURPOSE

BRAND VALUES   |   CODE OF CONDUCT
AVOIDING CULTURAL APPROPRIATION

 

The last few years have brought about big changes for One Of A Kind. From updated branding to refining internal policies and processes, we've been working hard to bring about changes that will refocus our efforts, improve your participation and add more efficiency and effectiveness to our collective OOAK experience. To “refresh” a brand with over 40 years of legacy is no small feat, but at the heart of this exercise was a mission to rediscover our WHY. Why do we do what we do? Why is OOAK still an important event to attend or to exhibit at? Why should people care about our brand?

When we first started in 1975, we existed to fill a void in the market—a space where artisans could sell their work directly to the public during the holiday season. We take great pride in being one of the first events to celebrate craft, but we are keenly aware that we are no longer the only game in town. With the rise of e-commerce, the opportunities to sell and buy unique items are endless. In addition, shopping local has become standard: customers can easily find these objects in everything from indie boutiques to flagship department stores.

Through research, discussions with customers and exhibitors and countless brainstorming sessions, we’ve distilled our insights into a common denominator that connects everyone in the One Of A Kind community--to champion creativity through the culture of craft. Exhibitors regard the show as a career milestone; customer form relationships with makers that keep them coming back year after year; and our team is moved by the uncompromising spirit of the maker community and the courage that drives them to make things with love and intention. We want to celebrate these stories because we believe craft can enrich our lives with art and meaning.

 

 

OUR VALUES


With these multifaceted responses, we know One Of A Kind is not simply an event. Instead, topgether with our exhibitors, customers and partners to champion creativity through these guiding principles.

  • We are an open and inclusive community made up of artisans, enthusiasts and the craft-curious.
  • We provide access to makers—their wares and their stories—in a vibrant marketplace of ideas and objects.
  • We believe craft is our history and our future. We’ve witnessed its growth and we’re a platform for its evolution.
  • Craft is culture, and objects can have great purpose and meaning. We are here to celebrate the human capacity, courage and spirit to create. We want to elevate the status of craft.
     

We hope you will join us on this journey of rediscovery and encourage you to reach out if you have any ideas or suggestions that can help us fulfill our purpose and embody these values.

 

 

CODE OF CONDUCT


In all of our relationships, communications and partnerships with our artisans and stakeholders, we abide by certain principles that help us uphold our brand values and create a safe and successful show. In return, we expect our partners to do the same, so we encourage you to read through this code of conduct to ensure that everyone is ready to have a great time at the show!
 

COMPANY

Our show is successful, thanks in large part to the many talented artisans and makers who partner and work with us to create a premiere event.

  • Your brand, business and the products you sell adhere to the One Of A Kind acceptance criteria  and the terms of your contract, and reflect the quality that the show is known for.
  • You take responsibility, as our partner, for your preparation and promotion of the show by educating yourself the essential information provided, and taking advantage of any resources and opportunities to further set yourself up for success.
     

COMMUNITY

Help us create a kind and inclusive community that harnesses the collective knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm of our exhibitor base to empower everyone for success.

  • Be respectful of yourself, each other and the show. Sharing negative or destructive comments about fellow exhibitors with customers and/or other exhibitors is not appropriate and reflects poorly on everyone involved. If you have an issue or complaint, please use the proper channels so that we can address your concerns.
  • We have a zero tolerance policy for inappropriate behaviour including, but not limited to, the use of foul language or insulting, racial slurs, offensive displays and physical violence and verbal assault towards the One Of A Kind team, show floor staff, volunteers, other artists of this community or any guest of the Show. If any of this type of behaviour occurs, the exhibitors will be escorted off the premises with no refunds of booth fees, parking fees, rental fees, or any other expenses/payments and future OOAK participation will be jeopardized.
     

COMMUNICATIONS

Respectful, transparent and productive communication, both online and off, is the key to our shared success.

  • Postings on any of our social media sites must not contain any inappropriate information, including but not limited to hate speech (personal attacks on fellow exhibitors or the show itself, profanity, racism, etc.), graphic, obscene, explicit or illegal submissions as well as advertisements and accusatory comments.
  • Discussions pertaining to the show should be constructive and aimed at starting a healthy conversation to help improve the show. No one is perfect, so share feedback in a way that encourages dialogue and debate rather than negativity.
  • It is your responsibility to communicate any problems or issues with show management so that we can work with you to find a solution in a timely fashion.
     

CUSTOMER SERVICE

We are committed to and are expected to provide exceptional service, as an exhibitor of the show, you are expected to provide the same standard of excellence

  • Customers come out to meet you, the makers. Make sure you are present during show hours, professional and ready to engage with everyone (and not looking down at your phone).
  • Our partnership doesn’t end when the show does. Ensure you fill orders, respond to customer queries and address any complaints related to the show in a timely manner.

To ensure fairness for every artist, the rules contained in this agreement will be strictly enforced. Consequences for violating the Code of Conduct are at the discretion of show management and can include your removal from the show with no refunds, as well as possible exemption from participating in future shows.
 

If you feel that your safety or others' safety is in question, please report it directly to security onsite. If you or someone else has been involved in an incident we should be aware of, please also submit a report here.

And if you have any questions about any of the above, feel free to reach out to us at teamlov@oneofakindshow.com.

 

 

APPRECIATION VS APPROPRIATION


Bringing Awareness to the Issue of Cultural Appropriation


We are committed to championing craft and creators regardless of socioeconomic background, religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or disability. We believe that Craft is culture and objects can have a great purpose and meaning. As part of our commitment to champion creators we must respect and celebrate our differences and origins- as a result we have produced this document to bring awareness to the topic of cultural appropriation and how it relates to craft.
 

Understanding Appropriation

Often, the line between Misappropriation, Appropriation and Appreciation can be blurred, below we have provided definitions for these so that the differences can be better understood;

  • Appreciation: when someone seeks to understand and learn about another culture in an effort to broaden their perspective and connect with others cross-culturally.
  • Appropriation: to take something that belongs to someone else for one’s own use. In the case of heritage, appropriation happens when a cultural element is taken from its cultural context and used in another.
  • Misappropriation: a one-sided process where one entity benefits from another group’s culture without permission and without giving something in return. This becomes more problematic when it involves intentionally or unintentionally harming a group through misrepresentation or disrespect of their culture and beliefs.

It is important to note that misappropriation can also entail considerable economic hardship when it leads to profiting from the use of a cultural expression that is vital to the livelihood of the people who created it or in any way hinders this groups ability to capitalise from this expression.

If you would like to learn more about this topic in order to avoid misappropriating Indigenous cultures, please see this short report.
 

Things to Consider

  • It is important to pay homage to artistry and to acknowledge its origin.
  • Sacred Artefacts should not be considered accessories.
  • Appropriation is not a substitute for diversity.
  • Consider Collaboration, and within this collaboration, give credit and consider royalties.
  • It is vital to understand and appreciate the meaning of images/ symbols or artefacts. Once this meaning is understood, consider if it is appropriate to capitalise from the sale of this item
  • Be aware of trends and whether they are appropriative in nature.
  • Consider that images, symbols, text and artefacts could have a spiritual or sacred reason that you are not yet aware of or could perpetuate a racist stereotype.
  • Are goods executed in the style of another culture? If so at minimum it should be acknowledged that it is made in the style of, rather than made by this culture.
  • It is appropriative to incorporate another cultures images into designs without either credit or compensation for the cultures from which the images were taken.

We encourage our makers to consider this document and assess their own work in order to become more cognisant of this issue. We believe passionately in the future of craft and championing our creators. We therefore encourage our makers to self-improve, refine and perfect their crafts and to come together and create!