Youth Maker Accelerator FAQs

If you are an individual youth maker, the following in-person dates are required:

August 28 from 6 - 7:30 PM: Kick-Off Meeting

September 18 from 6 - 7:30 PM: Workshop #1

September 21 from 4:30 - 5:30 PM: Mentor Roundtable #1

October 9 from 6-7:30 PM: Workshop #2

October 23 from 6-7:30 PM: Workshop #3

October 26 from 4:30-5:30 PM: Mentor Roundtable #2

November 6 from 6-7:30 PM: Workshop #4

December 5-6: Holiday Market

If you are a youth maker group, the following dates are required:

October 1 from 4-5:30 PM: Accepted Groups Market Info Session

December 5-6: Holiday Market

The 2025 Holiday Market is December 5-6, 2025. Participation in both Friday and Saturday is mandatory for accepted makers. The Holiday Market is held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh (1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222).

Yes. Youth Maker Accelerator cohort members must be full-time residents of Allegheny County.

Individual Youth Makers must be between the ages of 13-19 by 2025 Holiday Market on December 5-6.

Groups of Youth Makers may be elementary or high school students; however, because of the size and scope of the Holiday Market, this program is recommended for high school students.

While we know that many youth makers probably get help and support from family members while building their businesses (we love that!), 95-100% of the products must be created by the youth maker(s).

Applications will be open until July 23, 2025 at 11:59 PM (EST). Late applications will be not be accepted. No exceptions.

We receive many more applications than we can accept for every market. To keep the products sold at Handmade Arcade within the quality standards our shoppers expect, all of our markets are juried. The jury carefully evaluates each application against our Individual Youth Maker Application Rubric or Group Youth Maker Application Rubric. They also evaluate whether or not the applicant fits our definition of a handmade business and if they sell products at a variety of price points, as our shoppers expect. We recommend reviewing the full application and reading through the rubric very carefully before you apply so you know exactly how our jurors are evaluating you.

We define a “handmade business” as follows:

• You, the artist(s), created the original products.

• You did not use mass-produced, trademarked, or licensed items in your work.

• You did not use copyrighted designs that you don’t own in your work.

• Your products are at least 80% of your original creation.

• Your products are not made with purchased, downloaded, or copied images or designs.

While it’s not required for makers to have an online presence to participate in our markets, it’s helpful for shoppers to view e-commerce or social media accounts for more images and information. If you provide links to your website and/or social media accounts, they should be active and show a representative selection of your merchandise.

• Accessories (Not Jewelry)

• Artwork*

• Bath & Body

• Children's Products & Toys

• Adult Clothing

• Housewares

• Jewelry

• Paper Goods

• Wood

• Ceramics

• Glass

• Other

*Handmade Arcade was founded as an accessible alternative to fine arts markets. Historically, independent makers, crafters, and artists NOT considered fine artists do the best at our events. However, if you make fine art and can reproduce your work into various mediums at an accessible price point, such as prints, on fabric or clothing, as stickers, etc., that’s typically a great fit for our markets.

Yes. If you decide to apply with a friend for the Holiday Market, we suggest that you pair up with a maker whose work complements your own. That will give you the best show at landing a booth at the Holiday Market. Details about applying with a friend:

• Co-applicants will be reviewed as one entry.

• Images must represent both applicants’ products.

• You are required to indicate a primary applicant who will receive notifications by email.

• Vendor space will be shared and listed together on the event map (e.g., Vendor 1/Vendor 2)

• All set-up needs for vendors sharing a space must be decided and planned between the vendors before the day of the event.

• The $500 stipend given to accepted Youth Makers will be split between two artists if you apply with a friend. Each person will receive a $250 stipend instead.

No. At this time, we do not accept food vendors, including chocolates, honey, and candy. If you have specific questions regarding your products, please ask before you apply by emailing info@handmadearcade.org.

We do have a few food trucks each year at our Spring Market, so feel free to email if you’re interested in bringing your food truck to that event.

Yes. We want to see how your applications change and how your techniques have grown! We encourage makers to reapply.

Yes. Some applicants will be put on a waitlist. Waitlisted applicants will be notified if a maker space becomes available in the category in which they applied.

Yes. On the application, makers can opt-in to receive feedback if they are not accepted.

Handmade Arcade has a jury who reviews all applications. Jurors can be participants of Handmade Arcade’s committees and groups, other market curators, artists from the community, etc. Handmade Arcade staff members and board members are NOT members of the jury.

More information on our 2025 Holiday Market guest juror applications will be available soon.