OUR PURPOSE

 

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, and as part of our commitment to champion creators, we must respect and celebrate our differences and origins. As a result, we've put together this document to bring awareness to the topic of cultural appropriation, how it relates to craft and things to consider to avoic appropriation in your own work.
 

Understanding Appropriation

Often, the line between Misappropriation, Appropriation and Appreciation can be blurred, so we have outlined these concepts 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, particularly as it related to avoiding misappropriation of 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!